Love blossoms as Paris emerges from war
The AJN reviews An American in Paris.
Musical Review: An American in Paris
Reviewer: Danny Gocs
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
IN the opening scenes of the musical An American in Paris, banners with large swastikas form a menacing backdrop over the French capital to serve as a reminder of the recently-ended war.
The musical is based on the 1951 MGM film starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, but the setting has changed from the early 1950s to 1945.
And while the romance between an ex-GI and a French dancer remains at the heart of the musical, there is a harder edge focussing on the five central characters whose lives were shaped by the war.
It is love at first sight for former American soldier Jerry Mulligan (played by New York star Robbie Fairchild) and Parisian dancer Lise (played by New York star Leanne Cope). Both Fairchild and Cope performed the roles in An American in Paris on Broadway and the West End, and for the Australian tour – which has just-completed Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth seasons – they alternate with Australian Ballet stars Cameron Holmes and Dimity Azoury.
Another US soldier, Adam Hochberg (Jonathan Hickey) also decided to remain in Paris after World War II and works as a pianist.
Soon a love triangle develops between Lise, who is Jewish and harbours a secret about how she survived the Nazi occupation, Jewish pianist Hochberg and Henri Baurel (Sam Ward), the son of wealthy textile manufacturers.
On opening night at the State Theatre, Fairchild and Cope showed their class in a musical which places enormous demands on acting, singing, jazz, tap and of course ballet, especially in the mini-ballet leading up to the show’s finale.
The Australian tour of An American in Paris marks the Australian Ballet’s first venture into musical theatre and sees five classically-trained dancers playing important roles.
Directed and choreographed by New Yorker Christopher Wheeldon, it features classic hits composed by George and Ira Gershwin including ’SWonderful, I Got Rhythm, Stairway to Paradise and They Can’t Take That Away from Me.
And there are plenty of lavish costumes and wonderful dance routines. One of the comedy highlights is when Mulligan and the ensemble perform Fidgety Feet.
The drama also embroils Henri’s parents, played by seasoned music theatre performers Anne Wood and David Whitney, and successful businesswoman Milo Davenport (played by Ashleigh Rubenach).
An American in Paris is at the State Theatre until April 24, before starting its Sydney season at Theatre Royal from April 29. Bookings: americaninparis.com.au
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