“An American in Paris” originated as a jazz-influenced musical composition by George Gershwin. It was first performed in 1928 and is considered by many to be one of Gershwin’s most evocative pieces. (It is one of my favorite pieces of music, along with Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”)
In 1951, Vincent Minelli directed the film version based on the piece, which starred Gene Kelly as Jerry and Leslie Caron (in her film debut) as Lise, and which was awarded an Oscar for Best Picture. The stage version came to Broadway in 2015 and garnered four Tony Awards for its choreography and some technical design aspects.
Beef & Boards’ production, directed and choreographed by Ron Morgan, is a sparkling display of dance and song. Gershwin tunes augment the storytelling and dance numbers punctuate it. Mr. Morgan engages his cast to offer endless combinations in number after number, and the scenes, especially in Act 1, are a graceful presentation.
(From left) Jon Rose as Jerry Mulligan, Austin Glen Jacobs as Adam Hochberg, and Ian Black as Henri Baurel. (Photo by Julie Curry)
An American in Paris is set in postwar France. American GIs are heading home except for a few with artistic skills who feel the pull of Paris. Composer Adam Hochberg begins telling us his story, which includes his new friends: hopeful singer Henri Baurel, a Frenchman, and Jerry Mulligan, a fellow ex-GI with a penchant for drawing and painting. All three wind up in love with the same girl – lovely dancer Lise Dassin.
Jon Rose takes the leading role of Jerry and fills it with his confident singing and dancing talents. Rose brings a winning natural approach to his work and is impressive on every occasion. Jerry falls hard for a resistant Lise, played with equal skill by Sophie Aknin. Her array of vocal, movement and acting talents combine to offer Lise as someone I think we all fall a bit in love with. (Her “The Man I Love” has all the ingredients to be a show-stopper.) Rose and Ms. Aknin are dazzling in their scenes together which feature a good amount of polished dance and song, along with some appealing interplay as Jerry tries to convince Lise to be a part of his life.
Sophie Aknin (left) as Lise Dassin and Jon Rose as Jerry Mulligan. (Photo by Julie Curry)
But Lise feels she must stay true to Henri, played by Ian Black, whom she knows wishes to marry her. Black’s Henri is tuneful and impressive in his big number, “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise.” Austin Glen Jacobs completes the “love square” as the sardonic composer Adam, adding his own musical gifts to the show.
The boy “meets/longs for/can’t have/pursues/loses in a misunderstanding/wins over” girl story arc is brightest in the first act which is full of upbeat music and dance and romance. Act 2 has a more angst filled tone, with less music and dancing, and more straight acting scenes.
The supporting cast is brilliant, especially including the corps of ballet dancers whose work is an impressive feature in the show. I daresay on-point ballet is an extra skill that most musical-comedy performers do not possess, but which is performed here with a wonderful proficiency.
Tiffany Gilliam (left) as Madame Baurel and Sarah Hund as Milo Davenport. (Photo by Julie Curry)
Sarah Hund, as expected, is top-notch in her role as arts patron Milo Davenport, while Tiffany Gilliam and Doug King combine nicely as Henri’s parents, Madame and Monsieur Baurel. The many dance ensemble members are tireless and formidable in their list of appearances.
Design work for the show features a colorful array of costumes by Jill Kelly Howe and Kathy Henry, a simple but stunning set design by Michael Layton (who also put together the scene-setting projections), and lights by Ryan Koharchik. Terry Woods adroitly leads the small B&B orchestra through the Gershwin score.
Bottom Line: One cannot help but be drawn into this story as portrayed here by a sharply prepared and skill-laden cast. The action is pretty to watch, and the performances from all are high level. I would rate the book a step or two below the songs and the dances, but I definitely came away feeling that I had seen some extraordinary theatre.
An American in Paris continues at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre through May 14. Find show times and reservation info at beefandboards.com or call the box office at (317) 872-9664.
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