A new stage adaptation of the classic 1951 Vincente Minelli movie musical An American in Paris, with songs by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas (Prelude to a Kiss, Small Tragedy), begins rehearsals today for its world premiere in Paris in November.
A subsequent Broadway run will begin previews March 13, 2015 for an April 12, 2015 opening at the Palace Theatre.
Heading the cast will be the New York City Ballet's Robert Fairchild as Jerry Mulligan and the Royal Ballet's Leanne Cope as Lise (played by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron respectively in the film). Also featured are Veanne Cox as Madame Baurel, Jill Paice as Milo Davenport, Brandon Uranowitz as Adam Hochberg, and Max von Essen as Henri Baurel.
The cast will also include Caitlin Abraham, Will Burton, Michael Cusumano, Attila Joey Csiki, Taeler Elyse Cyrus, Ashlee Dupré, Rebecca Eichenberger, Sara Esty, Laura Feig, Jennie Ford, Kurt Froman, Heather Lang, Dustin Layton, Nathan Madden, Gia Mongell, Candy Olsen, Rebecca Riker, Adam Rogers, Sam Rogers, Shannon Marie Rugani, Garen Scribner, Sam Strasfeld, Sarrah Strimel, Charlie Sutton, Allison Walsh, Scott Willis and Victor J. Wisehart.
Christopher Austin orchestrated the score adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher. It includes the songs "I Got Rhythm," "S' Wonderful," "But Not For Me," "Stairway to Paradise," "Our Love Is Here To Stay" and "They Can't Take That Away." Just at notable, the orchestral music includes George Gershwin's "Concerto in F," "2nd Prelude," "2nd Rhapsody" and "An American In Paris."
Musical direction is by Rob Haak, and the creative team also includes a surfeit of Tony Award winners: sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Jon Weston and animation and projection design by 59 Productions.
Directed and choreographed by New York City Ballet's (NYCB) Resident Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris will be presented in English at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris featuring the 25-member Broadway cast. Previews will begin November 22, 2014 for a December 10, 2014 opening. The run continues through January 4, 2015, giving the cast almost three months to recover from jet lag and readjust to New York City before beginning their Broadway engagement.
