Review: 'An American in Paris' At The Pantages Theatre

LOS ANGELES, CA — The tour of “An American in Paris” at the Pantages Theatre through April 9 has many similarities to the movie that inspired it – glorious dancing to Gershwin tunes and a love story set in post-war Paris. What’s new is a reworked book by Craig Lucas, which from the first act where the Nazi flag is replaced with the French tricolor of blue, white and red, focuses on moving from the dark devastation of occupied France to new beginnings and a brighter future for the City of Lights. Director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon injects more emphasis on dancing, especially energetic ballet numbers, and Bob Crowley’s innovative and stunning set design almost steal the show.

Emily Ferranti and Garen Scribner

The multi-Tony award-winning musical adaptation of the 1951 Gene Kelly film centers on the love story of American veteran Jerry Mulligan (the spectacular Garen Scribner) who stays in Paris after the war to become an artist and Lise Dassin (the beautiful Sara Etsy), a mysterious ballerina.

Sara Esty and Garen Scribner

Jerry befriends fellow veteran composer Adam Hochberg (Etai Benson) and the wealthy Frenchman Henri (Nick Spangler), who unknowingly to each other are also in love with Lise.

The supporting cast includes Henri’s repressed mother Madame Baurel (Gayton Scott) and American art patron Milo Davenport (Emily Ferranti), who also falls for Jerry.

An American in Paris Touring Company

George and Ira Gershwin’s songs are used in big-production numbers such as the first act’s destruction of a high-end department store (“I’ve Got Beginner's Luck”) and for the grand finale (“Who Could Ask for Anything More”), as well as intimate solo insights into character struggles and passions, such as Henri’s fantasy and reality of his performance of “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” and Hochberg’s “But Not for Me” when he realizes his love is not returned. The stunning extended 16-minute ballet set to “An American in Paris” is beautifully choreographed and performed as Mulligan and Dassin’s longing and magnetic love pull them together.

Sara Esty and Garen Scribner

The sets are unique and innovative, mixing sketches, artwork and other projections on screens and aged mirrors, allowing audiences to view a romantic Seine beach, a lively nightclub, a French ballet studio and several Parisian apartments.

It’s hard to make a stage production that is based on an iconic film. “An American in Paris” successfully brings new life into an old classic.

The performance schedule for “An American in Paris” is Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.HollywoodPantages.com/AnAmericaninParis.

All photos by Matthew Murphy