The Australian Ballet has joined with GWB Entertainment to present the musical An American in Paris in Australia.
This production of the original 1951 movie musical premiered in 2014 at the Theatre du Chatelet de Paris before heading to Broadway in 2015. It has been adapted and choreographed for the stage by Christopher Wheeldon, best known as a ballet choreographer. His version made history by featuring two ballet dancers in the leading roles: Robert Fairchild (from the New York City Ballet) as Jerry and Leanne Cope (from the London's Royal Ballet) as Lise. They will be starring in the Australian tour, and will alternate with two principal dancers from the Australian Ballet, Cameron Holmes and Dimity Azoury.
Staging the choreography for the tour is Sean Kelly, a former dancer with the Houston Ballet who has a stellar career in both ballet and musical theatre.
The original An American in Paris is possibly the late Gene Kelly's most famous role. He not only starred in the movie but choreographed the dance numbers for himself and his co-star, Leslie Caron.
'An American in Paris' opens at QPAC in Brisbane in January and tours to Adelaide (Feb 5 to 19); Perth (February 25 to March 12); Melbourne (March 18 to April 24); and Sydney (from April 29).
https://americaninparis.com.au/
Photos above are by Tristram Kenton and show the US production.