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Post by birchie on Oct 17, 2013 16:42:47 GMT -5
I guess it would be too good to be true but I wonder if Hugh has been sent the book for this??!!?? playbill.com/news/article/183360-An-American-In-Paris-Will-Dance-to-Broadway-in-2015-Following-Paris-Premiere?tsrc=hpt2
An American In Paris Will Dance to Broadway in 2015 Following Paris Premiere
By Adam Hetrick
17 Oct 2013
A new world-premiere stage adaptation of An American In Paris, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, will arrive on Broadway in 2015 following a late 2014 premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, producers announced Oct. 17.
Featuring a book by Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominee Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Prelude To A Kiss), the musical features a score by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and is based on the Academy Award-winning 1951 film that starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.
Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza) is the creative consultant on the musical, which will present the story, based on the 1928 George Gershwin composition, in a new way. An American In Paris will premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in December 2014 with an American cast of 26, with a targeted spring 2015 Broadway premiere.
In recent years the Théâtre du Châtelet has presented such musicals as A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park With George and The Sound of Music. An American In Paris marks the first musical production to premiere at the Paris theatre prior to a Broadway bow. It will also mark the Broadway debut of director-choreographer Wheeldon.
Songs featured include "I Got Rhythm," "S'Wonderful," "But Not For Me," "Stairway to Paradise," "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "They Can't Take That Away" and orchestral music including "Concerto in F," "2nd Prelude," "2nd Rhapsody" and "An American In Paris."
An American In Paris is produced by the Pittsburgh CLO (Van Kaplan) and Théâtre du Châtelet (Jean-Luc Choplin) by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical (Stuart Oken, Michael Leavitt and Five Cent Productions).
Here's how the stage production is billed: "Eager to begin his life anew after the brutality of combat, World War II Army veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly-liberated Paris as the place to make a name for himself as a painter. With the assistance of fellow ex-pat Milo Davenport, a wealthy American with a past she wishes to forget, Jerry's life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret. Soon it becomes clear that Jerry's friends—Adam, a Jewish American composer, and Henri, a Parisian aristocrat—also vie for Lise's love. This romantic tangle can only be untied through the miracle of dance set to some of the greatest music and lyrics ever written. A classic American film about young souls in Paris has been reimagined for the Broadway stage of the 21st century."
The creative team also includes Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (sets and costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Scott Lehrer (sound) with a musical score adapted and supervised by Rob Fisher.
"We're incredibly fortunate to present a new adaptation of one of the most iconic movie musicals of all time," said producers Van Kaplan, Jean-Luc Choplin and Stuart Oken in a statement. "Our creative team, led by Christopher Wheeldon, has taken a fresh approach to a story audiences have enjoyed for generations about life in post-war Paris and come up with something we believe will have surprising depth and resonance. This material also provides an ideal opportunity for US and Paris based producers to share development and production of a show with a unique history and meaning to both countries."
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Post by JH4HJ on Oct 17, 2013 18:57:25 GMT -5
Two thoughts -
Yay! Hooray! FABULOUS. I really want to see this. Great songs... and AMAZING dancers.
Boo. Hiss. Dagnabit. I don't want this to compete for Tonys against Houdini.
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jo
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Post by jo on Oct 17, 2013 23:51:17 GMT -5
American musicals in Paris have not worked too well in the past, until the Theatre du Chatelet started mounting them. But I guess the fact that this is actually a Paris-based musical with American characters made it attractive for a first bow in Paris! I think I do have the DVD of the musical ... so I will put it in my playlist. Right now, I want to re-watch another Paris-based story called Les Miserables  Sigh - if Hugh is not tied up with Houdini, this could be another stage option for him. But at the same time, I want him in that role in the proposed movie called SECTION 6, whose setting would likely be in London and continental Europe. This project is supposed to have Hollywood sighing over the script and Universal bid $ 1.2 million to win the rights, with Hugh supposedly expressing some interest in it. Plus there is buzz that GREATEST SHOWMAN IN THE WORLD, an original movie musical, might have an early greenlight. The next two years would likely be a busy one for him. Jo |
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Post by birchie on Oct 18, 2013 10:05:11 GMT -5
Two thoughts - Yay! Hooray! FABULOUS. I really want to see this. Great songs... and AMAZING dancers. Boo. Hiss. Dagnabit. I don't want this to compete for Tonys against Houdini. Oh dear, I wasn't even thinking about them competing... smiley-signs002 My first thought was that if Hugh passes on Houdini...didn't he say in a recent interview that he as making a decision this month???...so maybe An American In Paris could end up being An Australian In Paris!!  Sue |
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alma
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Post by alma on Oct 19, 2013 18:30:44 GMT -5
I may get into hot water, but... here's my opinion:
I think Hugh is a great dancer... for someone who did not train from childhood. But I hope he does NOT try to do An American In Paris. I hope he gets to do his own NEW musical.
No matter how much I love Hugh, he can't really measure up to Gene Kelly, not only because GK is now legendary, but because his mastery of dancing was truly at a level hard to reach even by professional dancers. Comparisons would be inevitable, and Hugh would come out losing.
Gene Kelly was one of a kind. So is our Hugh, but as an all-around entertainer, not particularly as a dancer, specially compared to the legend.
IMHO
Does anyone else feel the way I do?
Alma
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Post by mamaleh on Oct 20, 2013 8:40:31 GMT -5
I think Hugh would be the first to agree, Alma. He's a very gifted, multi-talented performer, but there's a reason the likes of Kelly and Astaire are icons of their styles of dance: they are in a class by themselves. Which is not to say I would not welcome a biopic or stage musical about either of them with an ingratiating leading man.  But I don't see that happening as today's young audience, by and large, likely would not be interested. What's more, if I recall correctly, Astaire's widow does not want his likeness or personal story used anywhere. So that's that. Ellen |
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Post by Jamie on Oct 20, 2013 13:52:28 GMT -5
I think Hugh would be the first to agree, Alma. He's a very gifted, multi-talented performer, but there's a reason the likes of Kelly and Astaire are icons of their styles of dance: they are in a class by themselves. Which is not to say I would not welcome a biopic or stage musical about either of them with an ingratiating leading man. But I don't see that happening as today's young audience, by and large, likely would not be interested. What's more, if I recall correctly, Astaire's widow does not want his likeness or personal story used anywhere. So that's that. Ellen I always loved Baryshnikov's comments about Astaire. "We hate him". mlight.typepad.com/moomin_light/2006/03/baryshnikov_and.html Dancers in that particular class: Baryshinkov - Ballet, Kelly - Athletic Grace, Astaire - Perfection of performance are so totally different from the "song and dance" men. I think of Sammy Davis, Jr. as being in that class - a hoofer of great tap talent, but most of all an overall entertainer. That is Hugh. He brings an expertise and total joy to the performance, but that isn't the same as the truly great dancers. I do think given his work ethic that he could pull off performing as Kelly, but it would take a tremendous amount of work and focus just to mimic him in the dances. |
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jo
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Post by jo on Oct 20, 2013 17:10:41 GMT -5
On top of their dancing ability, Astaire brings elegance and perfection to his form while Kelly has exuberance and athleticism. Hugh, while neither an Astaire or a Kelly or even a Tommy Tune ( the only very tall dancer who has the grace of less towering dancers), brings great sex appeal to his dancing! That is why my favorite dance form for him is when he dances the waltz ( Kate and Leopold) or a semi-balletic waltz-like number (Oklahoma!) -- he is elegant and manly - just a joy to watch! In his arms, he is sweeping the woman off her feet -- and that explains his tremendous appeal to women! But he is also very athletic and that natural grace from his athleticism ( he is the only true athlete vis-a-vis Astaire, Kelly, Baryshnikov, and Tune) defines his dancing style ( TBFO, Oscars 2009, Back on Broadway). He is such a great stage presence to watch when he is dancing - and I hope this translates well when he does THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH - presumably this is a real song and dance musical? Maybe he can ask his "son" Mumble in Happy Feet to give him more lessons - although those feet were patterned after the sound of Savion Glover executing the steps and then translated to CGI - LOL! I agree that the appeal of the Astaire and Kelly musicals may no longer have a broad movie audience these days. On stage, it may still charm theatre fans, but it seems the athletic type of dancing seen these days in stage musicals involves a little less grace but more of physical exuberance. Just my opinion, though  |
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suefb
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Post by suefb on Oct 20, 2013 19:02:42 GMT -5
On top of their dancing ability, Astaire brings elegance and perfection to his form while Kelly has exuberance and athleticism. Hugh, while neither an Astaire or a Kelly or even a Tommy Tune ( the only very tall dancer who has the grace of less towering dancers), brings great sex appeal to his dancing! That is why my favorite dance form for him is when he dances the waltz ( Kate and Leopold) or a semi-balletic waltz-like number (Oklahoma!) -- he is elegant and manly - just a joy to watch! In his arms, he is sweeping the woman off her feet -- and that explains his tremendous appeal to women! But he is also very athletic and that natural grace from his athleticism ( he is the only true athlete vis-a-vis Astaire, Kelly, Baryshnikov, and Tune) defines his dancing style ( TBFO, Oscars 2009, Back on Broadway). He is such a great stage presence to watch when he is dancing - and I hope this translates well when he does THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH - presumably this is a real song and dance musical? Maybe he can ask his "son" Mumble in Happy Feet to give him more lessons - although those feet were patterned after the sound of Savion Glover executing the steps and then translated to CGI - LOL! I agree that the appeal of the Astaire and Kelly musicals may no longer have a broad movie audience these days. On stage, it may still charm theatre fans, but it seems the athletic type of dancing seen these days in stage musicals involves a little less grace but more of physical exuberance. Just my opinion, though Oh, you inspired me to throw the Sunset Blvd documentary in my player because I thought I remembered it included a clip of the waltz Hugh and Debra Byrne did. I'd forgotten how Debra waxed on a bit about it! Here are her words: Don't we all wish we could waltz with Hugh?! |
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Post by jo on Oct 20, 2013 19:09:12 GMT -5
True, true, true How can I forget that clip of Hugh and Debra waltzing ( and singing) to THE PERFECT YEAR smiley-happy082 Have you seen the clip of Hugh and Debra performing the number in that appearance on an Australian TV show -- it was the complete musical number? Jo |
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suefb
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Post by suefb on Oct 20, 2013 19:21:37 GMT -5
True, true, true How can I forget that clip of Hugh and Debra waltzing ( and singing) to THE PERFECT YEAR smiley-happy082 Have you seen the clip of Hugh and Debra performing the number in that appearance on an Australian TV show -- it was the complete musical number? Jo Oh, yes! Of course! I'd forgotten that, but yes, I've seen that as well. And Hugh singing Sunset Boulevard. It's just a shame there is no full recording of that show. But at least there is the waltz. |
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Post by birchie on Oct 20, 2013 22:08:42 GMT -5
It'll certainly be interesting to see who they get for the role, if not Hugh! I agree that Astaire & Kelly are each in a class by themselves. Of course Hugh wouldn't try to be Kelly if he got the part but he would bring all those intangibles that are so important to the success of any show...or movie. Hugh does sometimes remind me a little of Tommy Tune, but Hugh has more Je ne sais quoi than Tommy. Of course Tommy was also a very good behind the scenes guy being a director, choreographer & producer. Perhaps even more prolific in those capacities.
I also agree with Jamie that he's a complete entertainer like Sammy Davis Jr was. I was fortunate to have seen him live a couple of times and he really was something special! And I think he was a very good actor too. One of my favorite of his movies is Tap which showcases both his acting & his dance and has the added bonus of a part played by Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers and features a very young Savion Glover!
In the long run, if Hugh did a show like An American in Paris he would make it his own and I have no doubt that it would be special with him in it.
Anyone have any ideas as to who else might be good playing the lead???
Sue
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Post by jo on Oct 20, 2013 22:44:12 GMT -5
It is a stage show, so they might look at someone with triple threat talent in musical theatre.
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Post by njr on Oct 21, 2013 13:26:00 GMT -5
Don't we all wish we could waltz with Hugh?! Either that or do the "horizontal bop!"   Nancy |
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jo
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Post by jo on Oct 21, 2013 18:24:24 GMT -5
Sorry -- not my rhetorical question Jo |
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suefb
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Post by suefb on Oct 21, 2013 18:54:14 GMT -5
Oh, well, since it WAS my rhetorical question, I guess I'll add ... "Indeed!" |
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jo
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Post by jo on Oct 21, 2013 19:04:30 GMT -5
And I can happily say "Ditto!" to your own response, Suefb Jo |
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But I don't see that happening as today's young audience, by and large, likely would not be interested. What's more, if I recall correctly, Astaire's widow does not want his likeness or personal story used anywhere. So that's that. 
