Three-time Tony nominee Harry Groener (Crazy for You) stars opposite Kerry O'Malley (Into the Woods) as the central couple in Ken Ludwig's theatrical adaptation of the 1951 film.
Under the direction of Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd, The Gershwins' An American in Paris was originally scheduled to conclude performances June 1. The production found many Houston fans and extended through June 15 and later through June 22.
A future life for the show has not been announced; however, the musical's Tony-nominated book writer, Ludwig, hinted that Paris may be eyeing Broadway following its Houston premiere.
The Gershwins' An American in Paris boasts a line-up of Broadway musical regulars, including Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer) as Hollywood starlet Hermia Chase; Jeffry Denman (The Producers) as Preston, the young Hollywood movie executive; Meredith Patterson (42nd Street) as Yvette; Stephen DeRosa (Hairspray) as Hamish; Alix Korey (The Wild Party) as Hilda; and Ron Orbach as film producer Louis Goldman.
The American in Paris ensemble includes Jeremy Benton, Sara Brians, Sae La Chin, Erin Crouch, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Michael Thomas Holmes, Drew Humphrey, James, Matthew Kirk, Tony Lawson, Alison Levenberg, Joseph Medeiros, Shannon M. O’Bryan, James Patterson, Wes Pope, Benjie Randall, Kristen J. Smith, JD Webster and Kristen Beth Williams. The stage production features many of the film's original songs, while incorporating such Gershwin gems as "They All Laughed," "'S Wonderful," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and "Love Walked In."
Ludwig (Crazy for You, Lend Me a Tenor) described the work as "a new American musical in its own right," describing the work as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a fictional 1950's movie entitled "An American in Paris." In Ludwig's adaptation, Groener stars as Parisian music-hall star Michel Gerard, who fails to arrive for filming of a new Hollywood musical in which he is set to appear. As filming in Paris is halted, the film's producer sends his reluctant secretary, Rebecca Klemm (O'Malley), to locate the missing leading man.
The creative team includes choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street), set designer Doug Schmidt, lighting designer Paul Gallo and costume designer Carrie F. Robbins. Rob Berman — of the City Center Encores! series — serves as musical supervisor with orchestrations by three-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman (The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Fosse) and Larry Blank (Drowsy Chaperone).
The Alley Theatre is located at 615 Texas Avenue in Houston, TX. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org.
