abatt Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I've seen both casts of the King and I. Wantanabe was difficult to understand, but he had a stage charisma that was palpable. Llana is a much better singer than Wantanabe, and also teased out more of the comic aspects of his role. Llana's dialogue was much easier to understand. However, I thought Llana had zero chemistry with O'Hara, and also lacked stage charisma. My three cents. O'Hara is just gorgeous, as are Ruthie Ann Miles and the rest of the magnificent cast. The scenic designs and costumes are gorgeous. Link to comment
Barbara Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Funny, Abatt, I had the opposite reaction to Llana in the role of the King. I went in thinking he looked too young for the role, maybe not giving off an overt virility. But he completely won me over. And definitely beautiful singing across the board. Unfortunately it was an evening that O'Hara was off (so disappointed) but her standby, Betsy Morgan, was really fabulous and I felt had lots of chemistry with Mr. Llana. Go figure! Link to comment
Natalia Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I lucked out with O'Hara, Llana & Miles. The only substitute among principals & featured performers was Q Lim as Tuptim (subbing for Ashley Parks), who was gorgeous and with fine soprano voice. The theatre itself is non-traditional, with a stage floor that extends over the orch pit and floats out to audience...not the usual proscenium. This allows for some absolutely stunning effects, such as the entry of the ship. "American in Paris" is in a traditional theatre with the usual proscenium and orch pit between stage and audience apparent at all times. (Palace Th. on Times Square) Link to comment
mussel Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Just a reminder that Robbie Fairchild will leave "An American in Paris" in mid-March, if you haven't seen him already, this is your last chance, AiP loss is NYCB gain. However, he will rejoin AiP in its London run. It's not clear whether AiP will move from NY to London, or there will be 2 concurrent runs in NY and London. Link to comment
abatt Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 I didn't realize that he agreed to work on the London production. I wonder how long he has committed to the London production. Oh well, better catch him during the Spring season at NYCB because who knows when he will be back at the Koch. Link to comment
seashell Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Does anyone know exactly when Robbie Fairchild will be leaving in March? I'm hoping to see him perform it one more time. Link to comment
California Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Does anyone know when it opens in London? I've been googling but can't find an announcement. Link to comment
abatt Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 I couldn't find anything about a London production. However, it appears that there will be a tour of the United States (no casting provided on that tour). http://www.playbill.com/news/article/an-american-in-paris-will-launch-national-tour-in-boston-383954 Link to comment
Barbara Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Leanne Cope is also departing mid-March so if you especially want to see her with Robbie now is the time. Link to comment
mussel Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 It's official, Robbie Fairchild will leave AiP on 3/13: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/theater/robert-fairchild-to-depart-an-american-in-paris.html?smid=fb-share The new Wheeldon piece for NYCB mentioned in the article I believe will be set to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Link to comment
abatt Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Based on reading R Fairchild's comments that continuing to do AiP might put him in a wheelchair, it doesn't make sense that he would agree to continue in the role if and when it transfers to London. Link to comment
Balanchinomane Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Thanks for the heads-up, Mussell. Just bought a ticket. There's a discount code with Ticketmaster, PLAY4. Orchestra seats for $99. Final performances are always so special. Link to comment
pherank Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Former SFB danseur Garen Scribner will be taking on the 'Jerry Mulligan' role on the American in Paris tour:https://twitter.com/sfballet/status/697188765094182912 This is the original announcement, and as some people have mentioned, other performers my be leaving/joining the tour:http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Garen-Scribner-and-Sara-Esty-to-Lead-AN-AMERICAN-IN-PARIS-on-Tour-Robert-Fairchild-to-Depart-Broadway-Show-This-Spring-20160209"…Garen Scribner in the role of 'Jerry Mulligan' beginning Tuesday, March 15. Scribner, who has been performing the role at various performances since June, 2015, replaces Robert Fairchild, who will play his final performance on Sunday, March 13. Scribner will star opposite current principal cast members Leanne Cope, Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen who will all continue on with the production." Much luck to Mr. Scribner. Link to comment
mussel Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Robbie Fairchild final curtain videos and pictures are posted on AiP FB page: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/anamericaninparis?source=feed_text&story_id=1708957879380917&pnref=story Leanne Cope will remain with AiP Broadway until October, 2016. Link to comment
abatt Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 American In Paris on Broadway will close on January 1, 2017, according to the NY Times. I think the box office dropped quite a bit once R. Fairchild left the show. Link to comment
California Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 American In Paris on Broadway will close on January 1, 2017, according to the NY Times. I think the box office dropped quite a bit once R. Fairchild left the show. I saw it last Sunday matinee at 1/2 price TKTS and was surrounded by people, also on half-price, yet we still saw a lot of empty seats. Still worth seeing, if people haven't yet. Link to comment
abatt Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 I read in the NY Times today that American in Paris on Broadway will close earlier than origianlly announced. The new closing date is Oct 9. It was previously scheduled to close on Jan 1, 2017. Link to comment
YouOverThere Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 I was dragged to this at the Kennedy Center last night (12/17/17). Sure, the dancing was nice (but coming the day after the Washington Ballet's Nutcracker, it didn't overwhelm me), but I didn't find anything else about it particularly interesting. As in all too many musicals, the characters were paper thin. The actors were better at dancing than they were at acting; then again, the high school-level dialogue didn't give them much to work with. The story was cheesy (3 men wanting to marry the same woman for apparently no other reason than that she is a very good dancer, at least one of them not even knowing basic things about such as what her religious beliefs were), with an ending that contained no suspense (and the most important plot element - when Lise makes her final choice - happened off-stage). IMO, this is the kind of thing you watch on TV, not something that you pay $$ to watch in a theater. Link to comment
dirac Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Interesting take, YouOverThere. Did you see the movie original, and if so, how would you compare the two? Link to comment
YouOverThere Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 On 12/18/2017 at 3:04 PM, dirac said: Interesting take, YouOverThere. Did you see the movie original, and if so, how would you compare the two? I have not seen the movie. Link to comment
sandik Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 On 12/21/2017 at 11:45 AM, YouOverThere said: I have not seen the movie. Look for it the next time you have an opportunity -- there are some wonderful performances in it. Link to comment
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