BWW Reviews: GIGI Premieres at the Kennedy Center

GIGI takes me back to the film, which comprised of actors, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jordan, and Leslie Caron, and classic melodies "The Night They Invented Champagne", "I Remember It Well", and "Thank Heaven for Little Girls". I was thrilled about seeing the Pre-Broadway production directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. So much work, effort and an enormous amount of money ($12 million) has been poured into this production, which culminates into a fantastic show. The superb costumes by Catherine Zuber are stunning, the set design by Derek McLane visually gorgeous, and a 13 piece orchestra under James Moore is spectacular.

One problem I observed, however, is that the set features the iron-lattice bottom of the Eiffel Tower as a permanent part of the stage and then at times in scenes in Paris, you see the Eiffel Tower in the rear. In essence, then, there are two Eiffel Towers. There is a grand art-nouveau staircase which looms in the middle which is in every scene, from the famous Maxim's nightclub to a scene at the beach.

The Lerner and Lowe musical is similar in story line to their classic MY FAIR LADY. You take a young female and turn her into a gorgeous and well-respected, mature woman.

The producers are banking on Vanessa Hudgens, the wonderfully talented star of Disney's blockbuster film "High School Musical" and the sequels, to attract a younger audience. She has the tough task of playing a young, naive, adorable 18 year old known as "Gigi". In the first act, she is all "giggles" and runs around the stage like a typical young teenager looking for fun and enjoyment. She has a zest for life, a good voice and moves well. She maintains energy throughout her performance and her costume in Act I reminded me of the character "Madeline".

The two women responsible for tutoring GIGI are her guardians, grandmother "Mametta" and "Aunt Alicia". It is such a pleasure to see again the Tony winning Victoria Clark ( LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA) back on stage as Mametta. Whenever she appears, she simply commands the show. Likewise, Dee Hoty (who I recall played a great "Donna" in MAMMA MIA!) deliciously milks the role of Aunt Alicia.

Heide Thomas has adapted GIGI and made some startling changes. No longer does the elderly Maurice Chevalier character Honore (Howard McGillin) open the show with "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" and instead the song has been put in the capable hands of Clark and Hoty and what a wonderful duet they do together.

Another change Thomas has made is lowering the age of Gigi's love interest and wealthy playboy Gaston (Corey Cott) by 10 years, which was a smart idea.

In Act I, Gaston looks upon Gigi as a young sister initially but in Act II finally notices her many attributes. She turns from a school girl into a lovely young woman.

Another alteration from the film made by Thomas is at the end of Act II when Gigi asserts herself for the first time and says to Gaston "I could never be happy if I couldn't be myself." It is now Gigi who controls the relationship with Gaston, establishes her independence, and threatens to cut off their affair unless they marry. A huge change that works brilliantly. Hudgens gets a chance to shine brightly in Act II.

Other song changes are that Mamita sings "Say a Prayer" which Gigi did in the film and Maurice Chevalier's "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" has morphed into a duet by McGillin and Clark.

On the whole Joshua Bergasse's choreography works well but his steps for "The Gossips" reminded me of EVITA. I did enjoy the opening number which featured the very talented and energetic ensemble. Director Schaeffer does an admirable job pulling this all together, which is certainly not an easy task.

Will Broadway audiences in the 21st century be enthralled to see the story of a young, innocent, naive teenager preparing for life as a courteson in 1900 Paris? It's a question soon to be answered as GIGI opens this April at the Neil Simon Theater where it will take the place of one of my favorite musicals that just couldn't survive Broadway, Sting's terrific THE LAST SHIP.

Is this the Year of Paris on Broadway? Besides GIGI, previews for AN AMERICAN IN PARIS start March 13, 2015 and opens April 12, 2015 at the Palace Theatre. Waiting in the wings is LITTLE DANCER which premiered at the Kennedy Center last year.

Visit www.gigionbroadway.com for some wonderful videos of the production.

GIGI runs until Feb. 12, 2015 at the Kennedy Center. For tickets, call 202-467-4600.

Also coming to the Kennedy Center, the amazing LaChanze now starring on Broadway with Idina Menzel in IF/THEN. She won the Tony Award for THE COLOR PURPLE and played the leading role in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Don't miss her. She performs one night only, Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 in the Terrace Theater at 7:30 p.m.

Also, make note of the National Symphony Pops with "Do You Hear the People Sing' celebrating the works of Boubil and Schonberg featuring talented vocalists on March 27 and 28 in the Concert Hall at 8 p.m.. You will hear excerpts from their canon such as LES MISERABLES, MARTIN GUERRE, MISS SAIGON, and more. I attended a similar concert with the Baltimore Symphony and highly recommend it.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.om

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