Review: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Dances Gracefully to Hale Centre Theatre

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS dances its way gracefully to Hale Centre Theatre in its regional premiere.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (book by Craig Lucas, music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin) is based on the 1951 film that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The musical was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2015, winning four. Jerry Mulligan is an American artist who decides to stay in Paris at the completion of World War II. It isn't long before he befriends composer Adam Hochberg, aspiring singer Henri Baurel, and wealthy benefactress Milo Davenport. However, all else falls away when he has an instant connection with ballerina Lise Dassin.

Visiting artist Juliet Doherty, who is an accomplished ballerina with multiple international titles to her name, plays Lise (single cast, understudied by Sophia Vance). She is an effortless, world class dancer and vulnerable actress, and her pointe work is stunningly beautiful.

Ashley Gardner Carlson plays Milo (double cast with Brighton Hertford) with grace and verve. Her acting is superb, and her singing and dancing prove she is a triple threat to be reckoned with. She gives a truly praiseworthy performance.

The trio of men at the center of the story may not shine quite as brightly as the women in this cast, but they hold their own, each with their own strengths: Taylor Morris as Henri (double cast with Adam Dietlein) with his rich singing voice, Marshall Madsen as Adam (double cast with Adam Robertson) with his wry humor, and Wesley Valdez as Jerry (double cast with Myles Woolstenhulme) with his sunny personality.

The ensemble showcases impressive dance technique as it performs the choreography woven throughout the show. Choreographer and associate director Jenny Barlow (working with director Dave Tinney) has created a fully realized world through dance, with ballet rightfully at the core, and the detail and expanse of it is remarkable.

The costumes by Joy Zhu and hair/makeup by Trissa Lent evoke the post-World War II era faithfully and emulate the Parisian arts scene with panache. The set by Kacey Udy is nicely suggestive of the locations, successfully utilizing the levels capable within the centre stage while also leaving ample room for the glorious dancing.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS plays through April 6, 2019. For tickets, call the box office at 801-984-9000 or visit www.hct.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Juliet Doherty (Lise) and Wesley Valdez (Jerry)

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