On stage now: An American in Paris

C’est magnifique! Breathtakingly exquisite, An American in Paris must not be missed! Hailed as a tour de force for its innovative choreography, the four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical tells the entrancing love story of a young American soldier, Jerry Mulligan (Robbie Fairchild & Cameron Holmes- alternate) and an enchanting French girl, Lise Dassin (Leanne Cope & Dimity Azoury- alternate), set against the iconic backdrop of the worlds most romantic city, Paris, post World War II.   

The Australian Ballet along with GWB Entertainment presents audiences with An American in Paris, a seamless stage adaptation of MGM’s 1951 academy award-winning film with the same name, starring the indomitable Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2015, following an engagement at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris the previous year. An American in Paris has since made its debut in London’s West End in March 2017 and is now, finally, gracing the Australian stage, commencing its national tour in Brisbane, now showcasing at the State Theatre in Melbourne’s renowned Arts Centre. 

An American in Paris is a significant endeavour for the Australian Ballet, as the company has never been associated with musical theatre, states Artistic Director, David Hallberg. “Ballet and Broadway don’t typically harmonize on the stage. Each genre has its own distinct stylistic qualities, and ballet scenes in musicals are often fleeting interludes to balance out the dramatic intensity in the middle of an At. In creating An American in Paris, he (director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon) has realised a work so nuanced and meticulous that the show demands a calibre of dancer most often seen on the balletic stage”.   

The principal cast includes remarkably talented triple threat artists, consisting of the likes of Robbie Fairchild, Leanne Cope, Sam Ward, Ashleigh Rubenach, Jonathan Hickey, Anne Wood and David Whitney.  

World-class director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon OBE, propels the plot of An American in Paris through a dazzling array of dancing, singing and acting, ranging from intimate pas de deux, through to large-scale, whole-cast sequences, the audience is privy to a level of skill and professionalism which has not been seen. Wheeldon creates vividly detailed ensemble tableaux and even sends up his form with the exaggerated ballet recital that opens act two. As with the film, the musical climax is an incredible “An American in Paris” ballet, which holds the audience spellbound for the full 14 minutes, with Fairchild and Cope displaying palpable chemistry throughout their entire performance.  

Etched into the minds of all who attend, set and costume designer, Bob Crowley’s heavily romanticized set of postcard-perfect Paris draws inspiration from some of the most iconic artists. Crowley’s designs not only seem part of the choreography but also offer a painterly kaleidoscope. The glimmer of light on the water reminds one of Monet, there is more than a touch of Renoir’s rainbow palette in a masquerade ball and the bustling boulevards, while the geometric shapes and vibrant colours in the final ballet evoke Picasso and the paper collages of the late Matisse. The transitions between scenes are deftly and ingeniously handled, with projections and props dancing into view. From cobblestone cafes to the banks of the Seine, and a jazzy dive bar to a masquerade ball and a high-end art gallery, it’s easy to lose count of the sheer number of locations scouted and presented as the characters move to the pulse of Paris. 

Beautiful and mesmerising, An American in Paris is simply magical and well-deserved for the standing ovation it receives after each performance. It provides the joie de vie we have been missing in our lives. For an unforgettable experience like no other, An American in Paris is a must! 

An American in Paris
Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Friday 18 March to Saturday 23 April 2022
americaninparis.com.au