Overview
The past two years have been chaotic for Australia's theatre scene — but thanks to big-name productions such as Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Come From Away, Jagged Little Pill the Musical and Girl From the North Country, the show has gone on when it could. Big-name musicals have kept echoing, clearly, with another high-profile show soon to hit both Melbourne and Sydney: four-time Tony-winner An American in Paris.
The Broadway and West End smash already kicked off its Aussie shows in Brisbane in January, and now it's set to sing and dance its way to Melbourne and Sydney, with a Perth leg also locked in and Adelaide dates set to come. This vibrant production adapts the 1951 film of the same name to Australian stages — so yes, if you're a fan of classic movies (and classic big-screen musicals starring none other than the inimitable Gene Kelly at that), then that's why the show's name sounds familiar.
Story-wise, the musical follows an American soldier in Paris — because its moniker is that straightforward. Set at the end of the Second World War, it charts US GI's Jerry Mulligan's exploits as he falls for a French woman. Well, he is celebrating the end of the combat in the notably romantic city, after all.
Tristram Kenton
Bringing the Oscar-winning 71-year-old film to the stage, this version of An American in Paris is directed by acclaimed contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon — and adapted for theatre and choreographed by him, too. The Aussie run is also being staged in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, so expect to see some of their dancers helping to bring the musical to life.
George and Ira Gershwin's songs make the leap to the theatre as well, including 'I Got Rhythm', 'S Wonderful', 'But Not For Me' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'.
Initially, An American in Paris debuted in Paris — where else? — in 2014, before hitting Broadway, Boston and West End.
'AN AMERICAN IN PARIS' AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022:
- Friday, March 18–Sunday, April 24 — State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne
- Friday, April 29–Sunday, June 12 — Theatre Royal, Sydney
- Saturday, July 9–Wednesday, July 27 — Crown Theatre, Perth
- Dates TBC — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide
An American in Paris will continue its Australian tour from Friday, March 18, 2022. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the musical's website.
Top images: Darren Thomas.