An American in Paris Tour

[David10086]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 9:49pm

'An American in Paris' has been playing in Providence this week, and received some of the most horrible reviews of any show this season -from the newspaper critic to many people I know who went to see this. Subscribers I know said they were bored out of their minds, and the show ran way too long.

On the other hand, when it played on B'way I heard decent things about it - and it ran for over a year, so it looks like it was making some money. Does anyone know if the touring production is much different than the B'way show? Did anyone on this forum see the B'way show, and if so - what did you think?

[acm8468]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 10:39pm

I had high hopes for it. Gershwin music..beautiful sets and costumes....extremely talented cast. Sad to say I was bored. It just didn’t work for me. My least favorite offer of this season here in Detroit.  I guess they all can’t be winners.  

[trpguyy]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 10:51pm

I saw it in NY and saw the tour early on, and absolutely loved it. A beautiful love letter to musical theatre. To each his own I suppose.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 11:37pm

Caught the tour in Atlanta last fall after really loving Act I of the NY production. (Act II was another story topped off by an absolutely tedious 12 minute ballet that was indeed utterly boring.)

I'm happy to say that the joys of Act I came through loud and clear on the tour, despite a uniquely unsexy uncharismatic Jerry. The first half of Act I especially was chock full of the most delicious musical-theater making in a great while. The gorgeous Bway sets were smartly streamlined for the road without sacrificing any of the wit and wonder. And the score was still a thing of beauty, even with the reduced touring pit bands.

Leave at the intermission and you'd have a swell 90 minutes of happy show-going.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 6:50am

Also saw it last June with McGee Maddox when it came through Pittsburgh. I’ll agree that the long ballet part was a bit odd, but the rest of the show was fabulous. The fact that there’s little bits of ballet sprinkled in it here and there make it quite different from anything I’ve ever seen, but I loved the music and the staging, especially the big fantasy scene in “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise”. Overall a show I’d definitely see again if it ever came close by. 

Here are a few links I posted back then...

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2017/06/01/An-American-in-Paris-review-Pittsburgh-debut-Benedum-Center-Tony-Awards/stories/201706010151

http://www.pittsburghclo.org/news/press-room/photos-for-download/an-american-in-paris-photos

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2017/05/28/American-in-Paris-Van-Kaplan-Pittsburgh-CLO/stories/201705280009

Updated On: 3/18/18 at 06:50 AM

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 10:13am

I saw the show several times on Broadway and a few times on tour (once in Boston and a few times in Philly) and I absolutely loved it. I grew up attending ballets with my aunt, so watching a musical put together my love of musical theater and ballet was right up my alley. I loved the original Broadway company (along with replacements) and the original company of the tour, so I can't comment on the current company. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea and to each their own, but I loved it. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 11:03am

I fell in love with the show on Broadway. I saw it multiple times. 

[David10086]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 7:32pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "
Leave at the intermission and you'd have a swell 90 minutes of happy show-going."

 

That's what many have said - Act 2 was the killer for them, and never ended. That was the criticism by so many - it should have been a 90 minute show.

 

Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts!

 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 8:04pm

I dug out my old program from last year and took a picture of the musical numbers list if you’re interested...