An American In Paris question

[petewk87]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 4:27pm

Since Robert Fairchild is leaving the show in a couple weeks, is it worth catching his final performances? Or the quality of the show shouldn't be affected too much whether it's him or Garen Scribner playing the leading role? I haven't seen the show and am planning a trip to see it, but am not sure if I should take the actor contracts much into consideration. Also, I heard rush seats are balcony, which is not ideal but decent, is that correct? Thank you for any input!

[Mike66]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 4:31pm

I wouldn't run across town to see Mr.Fairchild.  He is an excellent dancer, a mediocre singer and an uninspired actor.  Of course, since the show is all about dance, he's done OK -- but I cant imagine that his replacement wont have the same footprint -- or maybe even better. 

Seeing this made me marvel afresh at the rare "triple threat" performer -- and even by normal definition, a Broadway "dancer" couldn't fill this part (or the female lead).  What was needed (and provided) was a classically trained dancer, and it was a bridge to far to expect singing and acting as well.

 

 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 4:42pm

I could not disagree more with the above poster. I found him to be exquisite in the role in every way and definitely worth seeing.

[Eliza2]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 4:43pm

The dynamic he has with the other 2 male leads, Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen makes it worthwhile to catch him in the role before he leaves, in my opinion. The three of them have been together a long time and their chemistry together on stage is different than it is between the three characters when one of them is out.

Updated On: 2/25/16 at 04:43 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 4:55pm

Think it is widely overrated. It is OK but cannot hold a candle to the movie.

[SLSigafoos]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 7:54pm

I've seen the show a plethora of times, and I personally found the chemistry between Robert and Leanne to be the magical glue that holds the show together. Would he have been Tony nominated if his acting wasn't on par with his dancing? The beauty of his performance is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but I just have come to so admire him in this role. I never thought I would be so touched by any Broadway musical that includes so much ballet, but I haven't yet tired of this show or cast. Robert brings something very sweet, fun, and whimsical to his character. I've seen Garen in the role and he dances it beautifully, but I've found that Robert just has a certain "something" that Jerry Mulligan requires. It's the sparkle in his eyes and a bit more spring in his step, particularly in numbers like "I've Got Beginner's Luck" and "Fidgety Feet". Plus, as someone else said, he has great chemistry with the other male leads, as well. They're believable as friends. 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 10:38pm

I get that believability thing with his male costars.  I saw it very early in previews last year, and I can see how their relationship would develop over the past year.  It was already becoming pretty well-established when I saw it.

Personally I thought his dancing was stellar.  His acting, okay.  Singing voice….good enough.  Not the best acting or voice I've heard, but definitely good enough not to detract from the show.  He held his own in a beautiful show and did his part.  And his dancing was very good.

I think that if I hadn't seen it, I'd want to see him…. just to see the original player.  Especially considering the Tony nod.   I'm sure his acting and singing is probably even sharper now than it was when I saw him.  I'm sure as he's grown into the role.

When I saw him, amazing dancing!  The other elements of his performance.  Good.  But not something I walked out thinking, 'Great acting….great singing!'  

He was good though, and I enjoyed his performance.

[petewk87]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 11:01pm

Thanks so much for all the responses! I am excited to catch one of his final performances. Hopefully, rush tickets won't be too difficult to get...

[SLSigafoos]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 11:07pm

Fingers crossed for you! Honestly, as a big fan of the show, I don't think the appeal was ever supposed to be in the vocals. Neither of the two leads had sung prior to this. Most of the big numbers turn into ensemble numbers. The entire cast sings nicely, but nobody's voice is going to blow you away. The choreography is what wows me every time. Christopher Wheeldon did a beautiful job with it. It's just movement from beginning to end. I also love the projections that bring the sets to life. My favorite number of the show, though, still remains Max Von Essen's 11 o'clock number, Stairway to Paradise. It's just such a throwback to old theatre glamor, and you can tell the cast has so much fun with it. 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 11:27pm

That pretty much nails it.  ^^^

And let's face it, Gene Kelly didn't have the greatest voice.  

But it didn't detract from an amazing movie.  

When you have great material, it still can all come together beautifully. Even if one element of the performer isn't as stellar as another part of what he embodies.

I found the staging of this musical quite provocative and I'm very glad I saw it.  Add that to the dance, and it was very entertaining.   In the most classical sense of the word. 

[ssecnirpc]

Posted: 2/27/16 at 1:15pm

I thought Robert Fairchild was great, I was actually impressed with his acting (maybe because I knew his roots were in dance?). I knew little about the show or his background, just happened to win lottery tickets on my first try. I think it's worth seeing before he's gone.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 2/27/16 at 6:49pm

I've seen Fairchild and his standby. Fairchild floored me. His voice isn't great, but it was definitely better than I expected. Everything else about his performance is delightful. 

Garen Scribner (his standby and soon to be replacement) is fine. He didn't stand out to me. I think once he's settled into doing it full time, he will improve. 

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 8:57am

Garen Scribner can dance it, but he doesn't have the strength or masculinity of Fairchild, so the show has a big hole in the center. Not to mention that his singing and acting aren't what Fairchild's were. I think this show is extremely hard to cast and they are going to have a very hard time finding people who are truly up to the task. Scribner has been doing the role for quite a while now. Lightweight.

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 9:53am

A response to the poster above:

 

Definitely overrated and I think that will become obvious as the show is recast. The choreography- incredible. The show overall? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Updated On: 3/11/16 at 09:53 AM

[decotodd]

Posted: 3/11/16 at 5:55pm

I had resisted seeing the show for a while. My trips to NYC for work occur about 3 times a year, and being so familiar with the film, I kept opting for something 'new'. But in response to the original poster, I finally saw this last week, and was very impressed. I would enthusiastically recommend catching it while Fairchild is still with the show. He is charming, has a pleasant voice (as another poster mentioned, Gene Kelly wasn't much of a singer), and is an incredible dancer. I could quibble with some of it (the Veanne Cox character's arc feels kind of odd and false; "Fidgety Feet" seems shoe-horned in) but these are minor. I loved what they did with the "Stairway to Paradise" number, and that concluding ballet was fantastic. Anyone know if Fairchild plans to do any of the tour dates?

 

 

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:10pm

Fairchild will not be doing the tour, though it is possible they could work out a few appearances depending on his ballet commitments. The plan is for Garen Scribner to leave Broadway to launch the tour. I think the show will close post-Christmas. Recasting will be difficult. Wish Yazbeck could do it, I think he's the only person in town who could sing, act AND dance it with the appropriate masculinity. The chemistry of the three male leads is definitely off now that Fairchild is missing. The show will never again be at the level it was.

[mpkie]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 2:19am

Saw a matinee that starred the alternate Dimitri Kleioris as 'Jerry Mulligan'. While Dimitri is a beautiful dancer, I am not sure if it was his take or if the character of Jerry is just a boring shmoe.

Leanne Cope is phenomenal and dances with such grace. While I believed her inner turmoil with 'Henri', I felt here was no authenticity to the relationship between her and Jerry.

In the second act, I warmed up to to Henri, but the character of 'Adam Hochberg', played by Brandon Uranowitz, was the standout for me. Adam seemed to have the most depth of the trio -- the other two are fairly bland, superficial characters. Too much use of exposition as well.

And let's be honest, the beautiful dancer can't sing. Perhaps the casual theatergoer didn't notice, but I seriously questioned how he landed the alternate lead role. There was a funny exchange between security guards where one said Dimitri was the better dancer compared to Garen but his singing... and then shook his head.

It's a show I could have dismissed but I'm happy to have been able to witness Leanne's work. Story-wise, I was not invested in any of the characters, the proceedings, or the outcome. With that said, I should have heeded this thread's warning and tried to catch it while Robert Fairchild was still in it. It sounds like he's been the best casting of Jerry so far.

If anyone sees both Dimitri and Garen, it'd be interesting to hear a comparison. I'm guess if Garen is struggling to make an authentic connection with the other leads, it's not surprising Dimitri might be struggling even more.

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 8:46pm

It's a shame that the producers don't seem to care about singing ability, but I'm not surprised. It's a tremendously challenging role overall, and dance is clearly the most important part. But I think people who go expecting a show like what they have heard about will be in for a letdown. There is talk of this show opening in London, with Garen Scribner as its star. Not so sure that's an amazing idea.

 

I don't know if they will last until the London production is announced if audiences keep getting disappointed and word gets out.

[ethan231h]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 8:55pm

I saw Garen last week. I thought he was really good, the acting was kinda boring but his dancing was phenomenal and his singing was pretty good!

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 8:59pm

He is a great dancer. Glad to hear you enjoyed the perf! Did you see Robbie ever? I think Garen mostly pales in comparison to that star performance given by Fairchild. . .

 

[Sunny11]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 9:05pm

Why compare the two though? What good does that do anybody? 

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/27/16 at 10:46pm

It's interesting to see what happens to shows when their original stars depart. In this case, I think it points out the deep structural flaws in this gorgeously choreographed show. The chemistry of the leads falls apart without someone of real star quality at the center. No matter how well he dances.

[mpkie]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 12:09am

Sunny11 said: "Why compare the two though? What good does that do anybody? "

So you can make a conscious decision on who to see and therefore, which showing to go to. Or whether a return visit with another star would be worth it.

Some of the shows that I've seen, not all, that I've been disappointed with, actually starred alternates or understudies. And it has made me wonder if it was the understudy or if it was the show.

Sometimes it really makes a difference, other times not so much. The more information the better. So it's not pointless as you might think it is.

[petewk87]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 12:24pm

I was very happy to get to see Fairchild's very last performance. In addition to being a phenomenal dancer, he had great chemistry with Cope and was reasonably good at singing/acting. It's just a challenging role to cast, but keep in mind that the strengths of the show also rely on other fantastic cast members/ensemble and the gorgeous set and music. So even though the chemistry between the lead protagonists may be diminished or appears less electrifying, I think other components of the show are still something the audience can reliably admire!

[FiddleMeThis]

Posted: 3/28/16 at 11:48pm

The chemistry between the two leads, and even amongst the three male leads, is kind of the heart of the show. And it's distinctly lacking with the replacement casting.