AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Previews- Page 2

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:30am

I can't imagine this will catch on.

[lynnetoomey]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:34am

Whizzer, I agree with you 100%. A misfire. Went in with very high expectations, and was sorely disappointed. The critics will not be kind to Craig Lucas.

Updated On: 3/14/15 at 12:34 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:39am

SayitSomehow, I see where you're coming from and appreciate your alternate take. I think we both saw the same show, so to speak, but we just had very different expectations and reactions to what was presented.

I think I would have liked it more if it had been presented as a ballet revue of Gershwin tunes. Maybe like a Come Fly Away, but all ballet.

[blm2323]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:40am

I usually agree on a lot of points as Whizzer, but not this time. After flying out from Phx to specifically see King and I, AAIP and On the 20th, after last night at King I thought I'd wasted my money (again, I hope King improves). Thankfully tonight made the trip worth it. Whizzer, you make it sound like we just sat through Cabaret... Yes, there are references to Nazis and concentration camps but it's everything one would expect when in Paris directly after WWII. Plus, the plot needs it for the "dramatic tension." This is not a somber show, but a light, wonderfully danced and sung show. I was entertained. I would recommend to friends and family - but not to Whizzer, apparently :) But please, keep up your reviews so I can read them in the desert!!!

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:41am

Whizzer - I feel the same! Everything you said rang true for me. A mixed bag for sure, and could swing either direction based on taste/mood/expectations.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:48am

Drab, wan, dreary and irritating. Craig Lucas's limited skills as a playwright prove equally limited as the book-writer of a musical. Sloppily constructed, devoid of interest, lifeless, inconsistent and annoying characterizations, and a red herring thrown in there for good measure.

This musical also has the dubious distinction of making Paris look ugly.

[South Florida]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:52am

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 12:57am

I guess I wanted more laughs. More comedy. More happy endings? Or at least resolutions.

SPOILERS*********

Max and Jill just kind of fade out of the story and both characters badly need a final book scene where we can come to terms with what they're thinking, what they've learned and where their characters are going.

It never is really explained why Max is so pressured into marrying Lise. They protected her, so she owes them a marriage to their son? That doesn't make much sense. He's an attractive guy and could probably marry anyone. I feel like his mother would be pushing him to marry a wealthy woman like Jill over an poor, artistic person anyway. Everything just felt so muddled to me.

End SPOILERS***********

blm, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself; hearing different viewpoints is what makes for good discussion and if we all agreed about every show then there would be no point to reading or posting on this message board. Hope you enjoy Chenoweth/20th Century!

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 1:00am

@Whizzer - Mmmmm yes, I was quite confused about all that haha. I've never seen the movie so I figured it was an outdated conceit that I was missing haha Updated On: 3/14/15 at 01:00 AM

[starcatchers]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 1:06am

BIG OLE SPOILER AHEAD:
Mme. Baurel tells Henri he is "too old to not be married." He loves Lise, and feels she is the logical choice (as do his parents).
Most of the pressure for Lise to marry him comes from Lise herself. In the letter she writes to her parents she mentions that "perhaps love can grow." She does not go to Jerry until she has Henri's blessing at the end of the show.

OKAY, you're safe.

I actually really enjoyed the show. Stellar performances all around, and as a dancer, shows like this are my dream. This will be the one show that gives Josh Bergasse a challenge for the choreography Tony.

I do hope the show catches on. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying it, but someone behind me said "This show will appeal to dancers, and not much else."

Updated On: 3/14/15 at 01:06 AM

[tdl83]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 1:09am

Was there tonight as well....
Awful in a word.......I agree with WHIZZER....and even more so. Will not improve....through previews. Another big director of broadway musicals was also there tonight feeling the same as I.

This is much more of a miss than a hit.
Updated On: 3/14/15 at 01:09 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 1:18am

SPOILERS AGAIN************

I followed that- I guess I just never bought that Henri loved Lise, at least anymore than a brother loves a sister, especially with all the hints at his bi- or homosexuality. The thought of him trapping her in a marriage to possibly beard for him shaded Henri in a negative way for me too.

Maybe I just didn't buy some of the relationships because I didn't feel the book sufficiently explored the characters and their motivations.

[SharoninB]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 4:40am

I am so worried about this season is there any new musical worth seeing

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:22am

The one thing I thought this version could bring to the table -- other than the obvious, great dancing and Gershwin songs and so forth -- was some fleshing out of Lise's background and motivations (because, while I love everything else about the movie, her characterization is pretty murky). Sounds like that doesn't really happen. That's too bad.

[Curious3]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:33am

I was there. This show is sharp, sophisticated and elegant. The story has been fleshed in comparison to the film. If you are not ready for a grand super romantic evening filled with the greatest dancing since Jerome Robbins hit the stage, then by all means stay away. If on the other hand you want to see and hear a truly grand production aimed at an adult mentality (that does not mean children would not get caught up in the sheer beauty) please, do not pass this one up. The story is much more complex then the film ever was and the relationships far more interesting, but fundamentally this is a show of pure beauty of dance (emphasis ballet) and timeless Gershwin (which includes many purely orchestral and instrumental works that have never been in a Broadway show).

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:45am

I am filling out my show lineup for. May visit but I think I will pass on this one. Sounds like On the Town (lots of great dancing and not much else!) but set in Paris. And since I left at intermission of OTT because of boredom I will be staying away from this then. Just my opinion. So far I have tix to On the Twentieth Century (which I have already seen in previews and want to see again!) and Something Rotten. Still need to fill 2 other slots

Updated On: 3/14/15 at 10:45 AM

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 11:28am

Question for Whizzer and anyone else who follows Broadway so closely: Are you anticipating that you will like Gigi better than you liked An American in Paris? I know it doesn't begin previews until Thursday, but many of you have the inside track. I'm trying to make decisions about next weekend. Thanks!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 11:34am

Whizzer, weep for me.

[Curious3]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 3:42pm

If you want a one minute sense of this show please watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CWhHQVVh2wQ No shill here, just someone who appreciates this level of great theater.

Updated On: 3/14/15 at 03:42 PM

[behindthescenes2]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 3:48pm

The three male leads do not exhibite one iota of lust for these girls except for maybe wanting to wear their beautiful clothes so they (the boys) can go out in drag and pickup men - pleasant voices is about anyone can say about this show and some decent dancing. However, if any of these actors on the stage think they come across as straight men, must be looking into pink-tented mirrors. It's boring, hate to say it, but it is.

[Curious3]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 4:02pm

Damn, this is getting ugly. This poster behindthescenes2 is just filled with homophobic rants. Just read some previous posts from this person. Where is the site moderator?

[SharoninB]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 4:21pm

how is Craig skills limited when he got nominated for a Pulitzer

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 4:28pm

I am so worried about this season is there any new musical worth seeing
---
The Visit, Fun Home and Something Rotten!

[Curious3]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 4:34pm

@whizzermarvin......Your quote: "Much of the blame can be laid at the feet of Craig Lucas and his plotless, meandering and ineffectual book" I can only imagine your thoughts on the story line of the original film.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/14/15 at 10:50pm

The three male leads do not exhibite one iota of lust for these girls except for maybe wanting to wear their beautiful clothes so they (the boys) can go out in drag and pickup men

MODERATOR--PLEASE DELETE THIS HOMOPHOBIC GARBAGE POSTED BY behindthescenes2 FROM THIS THREAD