An American in Paris (musical)

An American in Paris is a musical play inspired by the 1951 Academy Award

An American in Paris
winning film of the same name and adapted for the stage by Christopher Wheeldon.
It opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2015, following an A time of hope. A city of dreams.
engagement at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Incorporating songs from George A love story for the ages.
and Ira Gershwin, the book is by Craig Lucas. The musical won several Tony
Awards.[1]

The Broadway production closed in October 2016. A US national tour opened in the
autumn of 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts, and a London West End production
opened in March 2017.

Contents
Plot
Cast
Replacement cast members
Productions
Paris
Broadway
2015 Broadway poster
US tour Music George Gershwin
West End
Lyrics Ira Gershwin
Musical numbers
Book Craig Lucas
Awards and nominations
Basis 1951 film An
See also
American in Paris
References
Premiere December 10, 2014:
External links
Théâtre du Châtelet,
Paris
Productions 2014 Théâtre du
Plot Châtelet, Paris
This synopsis reflects the American version of the musical play, which was revised 2015 Broadway
after its premiere 2014 run in Paris. 2016 US tour
2017 West End
Setting: Paris, 1945, at the end of the Second W
orld War.

ACT I

Adam Hochberg walks on stage and downs a cup of liquor. He sits at a piano and recounts the story of the day his friend, Jerry
Mulligan, came to Paris. Just after the liberation of France, US Army Lieutenant Jerry Mulligan is struck by a mysterious girl after
seeing her on the maze-like streets of Paris ("Concerto in F"). Ready to rebuild his life after the war, he deliberately misses his train
home and decides to stay in Paris to nurture his passion for painting. He makes his way to a cafe/lodging house, where he meets
Adam Hochberg, a fellow veteran and pianist, whose war injuries have left him with a permanent limp. Recognizing a kindred spirit,
Adam helps Jerry find a place to live and helps him get started in Paris. Henri Baurel, the son of wealthy French industrialists, enters
to rehearse the nightclub act he is putting together with Adam. Henri reveals his plans to run his family's American branch while
becoming a nightclub star in secret, fearing his parent's disapproval of his dreams of being an entertainer. Both Henri and Jerry berate
Adam for making his new song too dark when what Paris needs is light. Adam retorts that as artists, they have a duty to show the
horrible things they've seen, and teases Henri about his fear of proposing to his girlfriend, whose name he will not tell Adam. The
three bond in friendship as they imagine a brighter future ("I Got Rhythm").

Adam takes Jerry to the Paris ballet, where he is accompanying auditions, to sketch the dancers. Jerry bumps into headstrong
American philanthropist, Milo Davenport, who, struck by his talent and good looks, invites him to a party to introduce him to gallery
owners. Henri's mother, Madame Baurel, arrives with Ballet Director Maestro Z, and introduces Milo to him as a potential donor.
Dancers arrive for the audition, and the audition has begun when to Jerry's shock, the mysterious girl arrives, apologizing for being
late. She is told to leave, but Adam convinces her to dance in the back. As the audition continues, the girl dances beautifully,
impressing the Ballet Director, Milo and both Jerry and Adam ("Second Prelude"). The girl introduces herself as Lise Dassin, and
Maestro Z recognizes her as the daughter of the famed ballerina Arielle Dassin. In gratitude for his help, she gives Adam a flower
and a kiss on the cheek before hurriedly leaving for her job. Milo, charmed by Lise and her mysterious demeanor, tells the maestro
that she will fund his season only if he commissions a piece just for Lise with a score written by Adam. She then takes it a step
further, demanding it be designed by the 'noted painter' Jerry Mulligan. Helpless at her charismatic hands, the maestro agrees, except
for allowing Jerry to design the ballet -- he has his own stable of designers. Immediately infatuated with Lise, Adam sits down,
thrilled with the prospect of writing a ballet that joins French and American culture.

Jerry interrupts Lise at her job at a perfume counter to tell her that she got the job. Lise is reserved, and but Jerry will not be
dissuaded as he tries to get her to agree to meet with him at the Seine that evening, causing a ruckus in the store until he is thrown out
("I've Got Beginners' Luck"). Madame Baurel enters and congratulates Lise she is to be the prima ballerina of the Théâtre du Châtelet
Ballet. It is revealed that Lise lives with the Baurel family, which they have not disclosed to the Ballet in order to avoid charges of
nepotism.

At the Baurel home, Henri attempts to write a letter proposing to his girlfriend, who is revealed to be Lise. Meanwhile, Lise sits down
at a cafe and writes a letter to her mother; although presumed dead, she still hopes that they are alive and writes a letter every day.
She begs for advice: whether to marry Henri as expected, or try for true love ("The Man I Love"). Adam watches the scene from afar,
falling deeper in love with Lise.

Jerry is sketching a bench at the banks of the Seine when Lise arrives for their meeting, telling him that she cannot accept his
friendship. He shows her an incomplete sketch of her he began after their first encounter on the street, and proposes she meet him
every day so that he can draw her until he gets it right. Offended, she refuses, but Jerry calms the atmosphere by saying that Lise
doesn't have to say anything if she doesn't want to. It becomes clear both are haunted by events during the War, and she solemnly
agrees with him to put the war behind them. To lighten the mood, he declares her name too sorrowful and decides to call her Liza,
telling her that in the hour they are together, they are just two crazy, happy fools down by the river ("Liza"). She agrees, only if he
swears to never tell anyone. Overjoyed, he tries to kiss her, but she pushes him in the river. They both agree to meet the next day,
same time, same place.

Henri is still attempting to draft his proposal letter, and his mother warns him that if he doesn't do it soon, somebody else will. She
implies that his reluctance to propose is perhaps due to a romantic interest in men, which Henri denies, and warns him that the family,
vulnerable to accusations of collaboration with the Nazis, must be concerned with appearances. Lise enters with Mr. Baurel who says
that Henri has something to say to her. Dodging the subject, he asked her about her new position and tells her of him coming
American tour. Lise tells him that should he ever want a companion in America, she will accompany him gladly, and he takes this as
an agreement to the proposal he has not yet made, mistaking her obvious glow of happiness for excitement about the ballet rather
than for love of Jerry.

Back at the cafe, all three men rejoice over their love for Lise, eventually joining in a trio without realizing that they are all singing
about the same woman ("S'Wonderful"). Henri shows the other two his proposal letter, only to find that he has Lise's notebook by
mistake. He reads the letter to her mother about her doubts over doing what is expected of her, marrying Henri and following her
heart. Stricken, he nonetheless finds a glimmer of hope in the letter. Adam offers to console him with a drink while Jerry heads over
to Milo's party.
Jerry arrives at Milo's apartment to discover that there was no party, and Milo has invited him on a date on false pretenses ("Shall We
Dance?"). Initially annoyed, Jerry relents after Milo gives him constructive criticism on his art and takes him to meet various gallery
representatives, and they begin a casual relationship.

Over the next week, Adam and Lise work on the new ballet, and struggle with the material. Milo continuously brings Jerry's designs
in and they are routinely rejected. Milo and Jerry embark on a trek of the Parisian art world, exploding with new life and post-war
energy as Milo falls in love with him. Jerry's designs are finally accepted but the ballet continues to run into many problems, and Lise
and Jerry find solace in their short daily meetings. Milo and Jerry go to a costume party, and Jerry is shocked to discover Lise there
with Henri. Jerry realizes that Lise is engaged to his friend and, in a fit of rage, he removes both his and Milo's masks, and with Lise
watching, kisses her ("Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture").

ACT II

Adam is commissioned by the Baurels to play at one of their parties, not knowing his connection to Henri. Jerry is brought as Milo's
plus one, and, in an attempt to cover up his secret nightclub act, Henri denies knowing them, arousing his parent's suspicions. After
learning that the party is a benefit for the ballet and that dancers will be there, Jerry tries and fails to leave for the fear of confronting
Lise. After seeing that Lise is not among the dancers, he laughs in relief, causing a stir among the guests which eventually turns into a
wild dance number ("Fidgety Feet"). After the performance, he discovers that Lise is indeed there as a guest of honor. The Baurels,
surprised to find both enjoy jazz, ask Milo for a recommendation for a nightclub, and when Milo asks Jerry, he recommends the
nightclub where Henri and Adam are booked to perform. The Baurels announce Lise and Henri's engagement, crushing both Adam
and Jerry, who lashes out at Milo and storms into the garden. Henri asks Milo to dance to comfort her, and they recognize each other
as kindred spirits.

Lise follows him out into the garden and Jerry confronts her. Lise cannot lie and says she loves him, but cannot be with him because
she is beholden to Henri for a reason she refuses to disclose. Jerry questions Henri's love for her and begs her to meet him again. Lise
tells him that she does not have the luxury of love and runs away because "life is not like your American movies." Jerry is left in
despair. It is revealed thet Milo, Adam and Henrihave been watching the altercation the whole time.

Back at their respective homes, they all act as if nothing has happened. In parallel conversations Milo and Henri ask Jerry and Lise if
they have anything to tell them. Dodging the question, they ask if they're worried of what the public thinks of them. They respond
that they don't care as long as they're in love ("Who Cares?/For You, For Me, For Evermore"). Henri pledges his love for Lise, but
Jerry decides to be honest with Milo and break things off. Although she has fallen in love with him, she thanks him for being honest
and they end their relationship amicably. Adam and Milo reflect on the love around them and wonder why there is no love for them
("But Not For Me").

In a nightclub in Montparnasse on one of their last shows, Adam and Henri get ready for a show. Adam begs Henri to let Lise stay in
Paris and accuses him of being a coward both during the war and afterwards. Henri, furious, admits the truth: Lise is beholden to
Henri because he and his family saved her life during the occupation. She was the daughter of the Baurel's Jewish butler, and she was
entrusted to their care after her parents were arrested by the Nazis. Henri threw himself into the Resistance, all of them risking their
lives for her, and have kept this secret due to the disruption this would cause their social status in the fragile post-war world. Adam
asks if that means that Lise has to throw away her life to pay Henri back when neither of them really love each other, and begs him to
find the courage he had during the war and free Lise to make her own decisions. Before they can say more, they are called to places.

Jerry sees Lise at the nightclub and tells her that he and Milo are through and begs her to tell him what obligations she has to Henri,
but Henri's act starts. Henri's act begins and he is stricken with nerves, but Adam encourages him to remember his dream, and he
fantasizes of performing an elegant number in Radio City Music Hall ("Stairway to Paradise"). His act ends triumphantly.
Unfortunately, Milo and his parents catch him, the nightclub being the one Jerry recommended (not knowing the recommendation
was for the Baurels.) Mme Baurel berates him for shaming the family name, but Mr. Baurel is proud and in awe of his son's talent,
and she capitulates. Lise, however, is angry at Jerry for accidentally exposing Henri and leaves. Jerry tries to run after her and
accidentally knocks Adam to the ground. When he tries to help him up, Henri stops him, furious for disrupting his relationship with
Lise. Jerry accuses him of being a coward, and Henri punches him and tells him that whatever he may think of him, Lise is what he
has devoted his life to. To clear the air, Adam tells Jerry of Henri's involvement in the Resistance and Lise's past. Jerry understands,
but is determined to keep fighting for love and tells Henri that if he chooses duty over love, they are all doomed. Lise, who has
overheard the confrontation, comes back in, telling Henri to take her home. Jerry pleads with her, but she departs, leaving him
heartbroken. Adam has a flash of insight: if life is dark, then it is an artist's duty to celebrate and bring love back into life. He
feverishly revises the score for the Ballet, turning it into a celebration of life.

On opening night at the Ballet, and Jerry shifts around nervously outside Lise's dressing room, a scroll in his hand. Milo, seeing his
indecision, offers to deliver it for him. Lise opensthe scroll to find that it is his drawing of her,finally complete. Milo advises her that
although Jerry was never serious about her, he did teach her one thing: that money could not buy love, which is one of a kind. Lise
thanks her, but confesses that she knows the Ballet will fail; she is so upset that she does not feel any passion onstage. Milo advises
her to think of someone who made her feel that passion as she dances. Lise clutches Jerry's drawing tight as places are called. The
Ballet begins, and as it progresses, Lise imagines her partner has become Jerry, and they perform a magnificent pas de deux. The
Ballet ends with Lise triumphant, having become a bona fide star (An American in Paris).

After the curtain call, Jerry goes on to congratulate Lise and apologizes. Lise tells him not to, that she couldn't have danced like that
if she didn't love him. Milo asks Henri if he feels alright. He admits that he cannot tell if his love for Lise is out of duty or passion
and asks to take a drive with Lise. Milo approves, and advises him to call her the next day. Lise asks for one moment and approaches
Adam. She gives Adam a rose out of her bouquet, a gesture usually done by an etoile to her pas de deux partner, and kisses him good
bye. He takes her aside and warns that she is making a mistake by doing her duty. Love is a one time thing and she should follow her
heart. She leaves, and Audience members go up to congratulate Adam. He has been praised in every review. It is then that he realizes
that his love for Lise isn't for her, but for the light she brings into the world. He rejoices that he got the chance to capture her in music
and vows to do good in the world. The three men vow to always remember Lise and thank her for how she has changed their lives
("They Can't Take That Away From Me").

Jerry sits alone by the Seine. Lise appears. She has decided to follow her heart. They dance together and walk off into the Paris night
("Epilogue").

Cast
Original Paris Original Broadway United States Original London
Character
Cast Cast Tour Cast
Jerry Mulligan Robert Fairchild Garen Scribner Robert Fairchild
Lise Dassin Leanne Cope Sara Esty Leanne Cope
Milo Davenport Jill Paice Emily Ferranti Zoe Rainey
Adam Hochberg Brandon Uranowitz Etai Benson David Seadon-Young
Henri Baurel Max von Essen Nick Spangler Haydn Oakley
Madame Baurel Veanne Cox Gayton Scott Jane Asher
Jerry Mulligan
N/A Garen Scribner Ryan Steele Ashley Day
(Alternate)
Lise Dassin (Alternate) N/A Sara Esty Leigh-Ann Esty Daniela Norman

Replacement cast members

Original Broadway Cast

For Jerry Mulligan: Garen Scribner, Dmitri Kleioris

For Adam Hochberg: Matthew Scott
For Lise Dassin (alternate): Allison Walsh
For Jerry Mulligan (alternate): Dmitri Kleioris, Nathan Madden
First National Tour
 For Jerry Mulligan: McGee Maddox
For Adam Hochberg: Stephen Brower

Productions
Production Venue/Location Opening Closing
Paris Théâtre du Châtelet December 10, 2014 January 4, 2015
Broadway Palace Theatre April 12, 2015 October 9, 2016
US Tour Various October 14, 2016 n/a
West End Dominion Theatre March 21, 2017 January 8, 2018

Paris
An American in Paris opened at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on December 10, 2014[2] for a limited run through January 4,
2015.[3]

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 consisted of Bob Crowley (sets and costumes) and Natasha Katz (lighting) as well as Jon Weston (sound) and 59
Productions (projections). The musical score was adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher, orchestrations were by
Christopher Austin, dance arrangements by Sam Davis, musical supervision by Todd Ellison and musical direction by Brad Haak.[4]
Of the musical numbers in the film, the show retains "I Got Rhythm", "'S Wonderful", "Stairway to Paradise", and the orchestral
pieces Concerto in F and An American in Paris, with other numbers drawn from the Gershwins' works.

[5]
The production closed October 9, 2016 after 623 performances and 29 preview performances.

US tour
. It will run until at least July 2018.[6]
The US national tour opened in Boston in October 2016, starring Garen Scribner and Sara Esty

West End
The musical made its UK premiere in London's West End on March 21, 2017,[7][8]
following previews from March 4, at the Dominion Theatre with Robert Fairchild
and Leanne Cope reprising their roles as Jerry and Lise.[9] After three months,
Ashley Day took over the lead role of Jerry from Fairchild. The show is running
until January 6, 2018.[10]

Musical numbers
From the Broadway production. Source: Internet Broadway Database[11] An American in Paris on new double-
sided LED screen of the Dominion
Theatre
Act I Act II

Concerto in F – Company Entr'acte – Orchestra

"I Got Rhythm" – Henri, Adam, Jerry, Company "Fidgety Feet" – Jerry, Company
Second Prelude – Lise, Female Ensemble "Who Cares?" – Milo, Adam, Henri
"I've Got Beginner's Luck" – Jerry "For You, For Me, For Evermore" – Lise, Henri, Jerry,
"The Man I Love" – Lise Milo
"Liza" – Jerry "But Not for Me" – Adam, Milo
"'S Wonderful" – Adam, Henri, Jerry, Company "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" – Henri, Adam,
Company
"Shall We Dance?" – Milo
An American in Paris – Company
Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture – Company
"They Can't Take That Away from Me" – Adam, Jerry,
Henri

Awards and nominations

An American in Paris won four Tony Awards, three Outer Critics CircleAwards, a Drama League Award, two Theatre World Awards,
ward.[12]
four Drama Desk Awards, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and an Actors Equity Association "ACCA" A
Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2015 Outstanding Musical Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Robert Fairchild Won
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Leanne Cope Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Max von Essen Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical Craig Lucas Nominated

Drama Desk Outstanding Director of a Musical Nominated

Christopher Wheeldon
Awards[13] Outstanding Choreography Won
Outstanding Costume Design Bob Crowley Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Christopher Austin Won
Outstanding Projection Design 59 Productions Nominated
Outstanding Set Design Bob Crowley Won
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Jon Weston Nominated
Outstanding Production of a Musical Won
Drama League
Leanne Cope Nominated
Awards[13] Distinguished Performance
Robert Fairchild Nominated
Outstanding New Broadway Musical Won
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Robert Fairchild Won
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Leanne Cope Nominated

Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Max von Essen Nominated
Awards[13] Outstanding Choreography Won
Christopher Wheeldon
Outstanding Director of a Musical Won
Outstanding Lighting Design Natasha Katz Nominated
Outstanding Set Design Bob Crowley Nominated
Leanne Cope Won
Best Female Dancer
Fred and Adele Jill Paice Nominated
Astaire Awards Best Male Dancer Robert Fairchild Won
Best Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon Won

Tony Awards[13] Best Musical Nominated

Best Actor in a Musical Robert Fairchild Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Leanne Cope Nominated
Brandon Uranowitz Nominated
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Max von Essen Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Craig Lucas Nominated
Best Choreography Won
Christopher Wheeldon
Best Direction of a Musical Nominated
Best Costume Design of a Musical Bob Crowley Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Natasha Katz Won
Christopher Austin, Don
Best Orchestrations Won
Sebesky, and Bill Elliott
 Best Scenic Design of a Musical Bob Crowley and 59 Won
Productions
Leanne Cope, Max Von
Essen, Robert Fairchild,
2016 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Jill Paice, Brandon Nominated
Uranowitz, Rob Fisher &
Scott Lehrer

See also
An American in Paris
An American in Paris (film)
An American in Paris (ballet)

References
1. "Tony Award Winners 2015" (http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/08/entertainment/tony-arard-winners-list-thr-feat/).
2. "Broadway-Bound An American in Paris Opens in Paris onight"
T (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/broadway-bou
nd-an-american-in-paris-opens-in-paris-tonight-336941)
. Andrew Gans. www.Playbill.com. December 10, 2014.
Retrieved December 10, 2014.
3. "The French Go Crazy For 'An American In Paris
' " (http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/12/25/372895045/the-fre
nch-go-crazy-for-an-american-in-paris).
4. Gans, Andrew (July 17, 2014)."An American in Paris Will Open at Broadway's Palace in 2015"(http://www.playbill.c
om/news/article/an-american-in-paris-will-open-at-broadways-palace-in-2015-324649)
.
5. Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. "Broadway’s 'An American in Paris' Will CloseEarlier Than Planned"(http://www.p
laybill.com/article/broadways-an-american-in-paris-will-close-earlier-than-planned#)
Playbill, July 26, 2016.
6. "An American in Paris on Tour - Broadway.org" (https://www.broadway.org/tours/details/an-american-in-paris,646).
www.broadway.org.
7. "An American in Paris show to dance into West End in 2017" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-360808
32). bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
8. Crompton, Sarah (March 22, 2017)."Review: An American in Paris (Dominion Theatre)"(http://www.whatsonstage.c
om/london-theatre/reviews/an-american-in-paris-dominion-christopher-wheeldon_43172.html). WhatsOnStage.com.
9. Desk, BWW News. "Magnifique! Original Broadway Stars Robert Fairchild & Leanne Cope Will Lead AN AMERICAN
IN PARIS in London" (http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Magnifique-Original-Broadway-Stars-Robert-Fairchild-L
eanne-Cope-Will-Lead-AN-AMERICAN-IN-P ARIS-in-London-20160421). BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 22,
2016.
10. http://feastcreative.com, Feast Creative. "An American In Paris – Official UK" (https://www.anamericaninparisthemusi
cal.co.uk/book). www.anamericaninparisthemusical.co.uk.
11. An American in Paris Songs" (https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/an-american-in-paris-497695#tabs-Songs)
ibdb.com, accessed July 27, 2016
12. "An American in Paris on Broadway - All Awards" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150703023057/http://www .anameri
caninparisbroadway.com/allawards/). An American in Paris on Broadway Official W ebsite. Archived from the original
(http://www.anamericaninparisbroadway.com/allawards/) on July 3, 2015.
13. "An American in Paris"(http://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/backstage.php?showid=331083). Broadway World.
Retrieved June 8, 2015.

External links
Official production site
Official Facebook Page
Official Twitter Profile
Official IBDb Page
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