An American in Paris (musical)

Plot

Struck by a mysterious girl and ready to rebuild his life at the end of World War II, an American soldier, Jerry Mulligan, decides to stay in Paris and nurture his passion for painting. With a little help from kindred soul seekers Adam Hochberg, a composer and fellow veteran; and Henri Baurel, the son of wealthy French industrialists and wannabe song and dance man, they imagine a future brighter than the atrocities they’ve recently witnessed.

When Jerry is reconnected with the mysterious girl—a stunning French ballerina named Lise Dassin—he seems certain that he made the right decision. That is, until he discovers that she is the very same woman Adam and he have been encouraging Henri to propose to.

Meanwhile, Jerry makes the acquaintance of a headstrong American philanthropist, Milo Davenport, who, struck by his talent and good looks, ushers him into the Paris art scene exploding with new life and post-war energy.

Lise struggles to choose between her obligations to Henri and what she thinks might be her true love for Jerry. As each man comes to terms with his own fate, it’s revealed that Lise is beholden to Henri because he and his family saved her life during the occupation. Both she and Henri realize that it is time to let go.

When the curtain falls on the opening night performance of a ballet that will allow Lise to claim her place as a free and accomplished artist in France, she realizes that she is meant to be with Jerry. They reunite at the River Seine and walk off into the Paris night.

Cast

Garen Scribner and Sara Esty served as the original Broadway Jerry and Lise alternates, respectively. Ashley Day will serve as the West End Jerry alternate.

Paris

An American in Paris opened at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on December 10, 2014 for a limited run through January 4, 2015.

Broadway

The musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 12, 2015, following an engagement at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs, with the cast led by Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope, Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen.

The creative team consists of Bob Crowley (sets and costumes) and Natasha Katz (lighting) as well as Jon Weston (sound) and 59 Productions (projections). The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher, orchestrations are by Christopher Austin, dance arrangements by Sam Davis, musical supervision by Todd Ellison and musical direction by Brad Haak. The show features songs by the Gershwins, including "I Got Rhythm", "Liza", "'S Wonderful", "But Not For Me", "Stairway to Paradise", as well as orchestral music including "Concerto in F", "2nd Prelude", "2nd Rhapsody", "Cuban Overture", and the title song, An American in Paris.

The production closed October 9, 2016. The US national tour opened in Boston in October 2016, starring Garen Scribner and Sara Esty.

West End

The musical will make its UK premiere in London's West End on March 21, 2017, following previews from March 4, at the Dominion Theatre with Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope reprising their roles as Jerry and Lise. It is currently booking until September 30, 2017.

Musical numbers

From the Broadway production. Source: Internet Broadway Database

Nominations

An American in Paris was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and eight Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, among others.

Wins

An American in Paris won four Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, a Drama League Award, two Theatre World Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and an Actors Equity Association "ACCA" Award.