Four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, An American In Paris, has finally reached our shores, and commenced on its national tour around Australia. Born from an exciting collaboration between The Australian Ballet and GWB Entertainment, the musical inspired by the Academy Award-winning MGM film brings razzle-dazzle, jazz, dance and romance to the stage, all set in the city of love. The story tells of a young American soldier who decides to try his luck in a new city, all while making some friends and falling head over heels for a beautiful French girl.
With music and lyrics from George and Ira Gershwin, and a book by Craig Lucas, director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon brings the story to life. Supported by popular songs including, Our Love Is Here To Stay, I Got Rhythm, S’ Wonderful, and But Not For Me, the Australian cast is supported by Orchestra Victoria, alongside conductor Vanessa Scammell, who does a wonderful job of whisking the audience away to the streets of Paris for the night.
The musical leads of the performance are Broadway and West End stars Robbie Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan) and Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin), who have both played these roles in previous international productions with great success. Supported by leading lights and alternate leads Cameron Holmes and Dimity Azoury from the Australian Ballet, the Australian cast are nothing short of astounding. Special mentions in the performance include Anne Wood (Madame Baurel), David Whitney (Monsieur Baurel), Ashleigh Rubenach (Milo Davenport), Jonathan Hickey (Adam Hochberg) and Sam Ward (Henri Baurel).
Witness the incredible choreography and timeless love story of An American In Paris at the State Theatre in Melbourne from 18 March to 23 April, before heading to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. If you’d like to hear what all the fuss is about, head over to the link here to purchase your tickets.
Photo Credit: Darren Thomas