It is considered to be one of the finest movie musicals of all-time. And now the stage version is coming to NYC in 2015 as part of the 2014-2015 Broadway season. The musical, which will play at the renowned Palace Theatre, will feature a score by the Gershwins and a book by Craig Lucas. Lucas was nominated for a Tony for his book for the musical Light in the Piazza. The musical will be choreographed and directed by Olivier winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.
The Cast & Story
The primary roles have been cast with Robert Fairchild, known for his work with the NYC Ballet, labeled to play the character that Gene Kelly created in the movie, Jerry Mulligan. Mulligan is a struggling American artist in post-World War II Paris. He meets two women, Milo Davenport and Lise Dassin; both of whom turn his head in two very different ways.
Leanne Cope, who is an English dancer with the Royal Ballet, will play Lise Dassin, the role created in the film by a very young French ballerina named Leslie Caron. (That role would make Caron a star.) Dassin has two men who are interested in her romantically; one is Mulligan and the other is Henri Baurel.
Jill Paice, who was last seen as Miss Honey in the Broadway version of the musical Matilda, will play the rich American woman, Milo Davenport, who wants to support and back struggling American artist Jerry Mulligan, as long as she can also enjoy his physical attributes.
Max Von Essen, who was last seen on Broadway in the revival of Evita, will play the French cabaret performer and handsome heart breaker Henri Baurel. Baurel, who is a friend of Mulligan’s, is the one who first falls in love with Dassin.
Who’s Who
Fairchild has has danced numerous leads for the NYC Ballet. In June 2005, he began his apprenticeship with the NYCB, and the following June, he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. In 2007, he was promoted to soloist, and in October 2009 was named a principal dancer.
Cope is presently a First Artist with The Royal Ballet. She trained at The Royal Ballet School and graduated into the Company in 2003 and was promoted to First Artist in 2009.
Paice created the roles of Laura Fairlie in the musical The Woman in White in the West End (2004) and on Broadway (2005). She also originated the parts of Nikki in Curtains on Broadway (2006); Scarlett in London’s Gone With The Wind (2008); and Grazia Off-Broadway in Death Takes a Holiday (2011).
Von Essen made his Broadway debut in Jesus Christ Superstar (2000), and also starred in Dance of the Vampires with Michael Crawford. He also played the role of student revolutionary leader “Enjolras” in Les Misérables at the Broadhurst Theater on Broadway from 2007-2008. He also appeared in Les Misérables in 2003 at the Imperial Theatre.
Great Music
There’s a lot of great George and Ira Gershwin tunes in An American in Paris. Standards include “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” The music supports the romantic nature of the piece and what a perfect place to set a love story but in Paris?
Plan Ahead
Although specific dates are not yet set for An American in Paris, we do know that the projected Broadway opening is for April 2015. That will get it on stage in time for the Tony nominations. For more information on An American in Paris, contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716. We’ll be glad to assist you with this show or any other Broadway offering.