An American in Paris

Highly Recommended ***** As a teen, I fell in love with an LP ( that is a long playing album of music) “Levant plays Gershwin” that my brother gave me for my birthday. On this marvelous album, Gershwin’s “Concerto in F”, “Rhapsody In Blue” and “An American in Paris”. I guess I listened to this album a great deal as over the years I wore out several. The music always stood out in my mind and  when I was older, I watched the movie “An American In Paris” starring Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant and Leslie Caron. While the story is beautiful, it is the music that captures one’s heart and soul. When the Broadway tour came through, I made sure that we caught this Tony Award winning show. It is a different type of musical filled with breathtaking dance and for those who love dance, a true delight is on the stage at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook.

For those who do not know the music, or for that matter the story, the book by Craig Lucas tells the story  of Jerry Mulligan (played to perfection by Josh Drake- man, can he dance!) who is an artists and after the war ( WWII) opts to stay in Paris to pursue his career. Fellow GI Adam Hochberg ( deftly handled by Skyler Adams, who serves as our storyteller-from time to time ) becomes his friend and helps him to find a place. In the opening number, on the streets of Paris ( a number that will start this powerhouse evening off to perfection) Jerry meets a young lady. He is entranced by her, but she is shy and runs away. He knows he is in love!

Later, at a dance studio he finds her again, Her name is Lise ( an incredible Leigh-Ann Esty who will dance her way into your heart as well). She has some secrets  that come out during the story , but is attracted to Jerry as well. It turns out that during this chance meeting, Adam is commissioned to write a ballet for her and Jerry to design the sets. The gentleman that has taken them both in, Henri( Will Skrip is adorable as this character) is also in love with Lise, who we find out later was more than just a pretty faced “mama’s boy”.

All three of these men are in love with Lise and in different ways, she with them. This is a story about love, friendship and the aftermath of a war and how people were affected by it. The story is enchanting, the music is powerful and the cast superb! Under the direction of Lynne Kurdziel-Formato on a unique set by Kevin Depinet, I found this production to be slicker than the one that breezed through here on tour. The Drury Lane is far more intimate a space and her blending of dance is beautiful to watch. Even the set changes are choreographed to move it all very smoothly.

The cast is highly energetic and the mix of local and New York talent works to perfection. Caron Buinis, Erica Evans ( her character changes the lives of Jerry and Lise), Neil Friedman, Cory Goodrich and Sawyer Smith ( who just keeps on growing as a talent) fill out the characters with names brilliantly and then we have the ensemble. I always say that a production can be judged by the work of these performers. They fill in the gaps and make a production whole, and these are the absolute best! They are: Terrell Armstrong, Tony Carter, Alejandro Fonseca, Allyson Graves, Austin Ryan Hunt, Andrew MacNaughton, Francesca Mancuso, Trevor McChristian, Mandy Modic, Emily Ramirez, Marisa Riegle, Emily Rohm, Casey Sanders, Drew Tanable, Ariel Etana Triunfo, Jenny McPherson, Jarais Musgrove and Sarah VanBindsbergen- BRAVO!

The music in this work of art is the works of Ira and George Gershwin ( need one say more) and is filled with classics. “Concerto in F” is the opening, followed by “I Got Rhythm”, “”The Man I Love”, “S’Wonderful”, the hilarious dance number “Fidgety Feet”, “But Not For Me”, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and in the second act, the amazing ballet done as a play-within-a-play, “An American In Paris” that will have you feeling every note that Gershwin composed as a story unfolds before your very eyes. This is a production that should be on your MUST SEE list. You will witness every type of dance number from jive to tap to ballet and bear witness to a cast that will energize you and have you swaying in your seats.

The tech crew is amazing as well.Karl Green’s amazing costumes, Less Fiskness does the lights and the sound by Ray Nardelli, perfect. I loved the projections (Kevin Loney) and Cassy Schillo’s props were sheer perfection. Ethan Deppe handled the electronic music design and the musicians under the leadership of conductor/music director Chris Sargent, amazing. These six musicians sounded like a full orchestra bringing the music of Gershwin to life. Shawn Stengel, Randy Deadman, Jim Gailloreto, Jeremiah Frederick, Carey Deadman, and Rich Trelease.

“An American In Paris” will continue at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook thru March 29th with performances as follows:

Wednesdays  1:30 p.m.

Thursdays  1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets range from $60-$75 with student and senior discounts available. They can be ordered by calling 630-530-0111 or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.drurylanetheatre.com

There are also some dinner/lunch specials available.

Plenty of free parking and valet parking is available as well.

Drury Lane Theatre is located just north of The Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook Terrace at 100 Drury Lane

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “An American In Paris”.