Although only a few years old to Broadway, the story of An American in Paris originated with the 1951 movie. This Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical dazzles with beautiful ballet numbers and lively jazz music composed by George Gershwin. This production was directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon and directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.
Set in 1945 Paris at the end of World War II, the show expresses the city’s powerful reactions to the liberation of France through dance. In all the commotion, we are introduced to American GI Jerry Mulligan (Robert Fairchild), who rips up his train ticket home in favor of staying in Paris to pursue painting. He befriends Adam Hochberg (David Seadon-Young) an American pianist and veteran who sustains a limp from the war. He also meets Frenchman Henri Baurel (Haydn Oakley), who dreams of becoming a nightclub star in America.
Jerry and Adam fall in love with the same dancer, Lise (Leanne Cope). Unbeknownst to them, she is already engaged to Henri. Relationships are complicated further when Jerry, Adam, and Lise are hired to participate in the same ballet, thanks to the generous benefactress Milo Davenport (Zoe Rainey). While the ballet is meant to unify postwar France and America, it creates tension between friends. The majority of the film explores Lise’s conflict: It’s Jerry she loves, but a secret keeps her tied to Henri.
The story falters in several respects, especially when it comes to developing the overarching relationship between Lise and Jerry. However, the strengths are in the music, dance, and overall aesthetic—and in these aspects, the production truly shines. Songs “I Got Rhythm,” “I’ve Got Beginner’s Luck,” and “‘S wonderful” are delightful. Toward the end of the show, we see Lise and company perform a breathtaking dance against a beautiful abstract backdrop created by Jerry and reimagined by Milo. A strong optional purchase.