Jon Rose as Jerry Mulligan in “An American in Paris” – Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Used with permission.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, located on Indy’s Northwest side in the shadow of the Pyramids, is only one of a handful of Equity theatres of its kind left in the country. It’s a theatre that consistently presents musicals that are of the highest quality, and it’s safe to say that no one, locally, does it better. And there is no better example of that declaration than its current offering, “An American in Paris,” Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical, which I attended on Saturday.
Sophie Aknin as Lise – Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Used with permission.
Faithfully based on the 1951 Academy Award-winning romantic film of the same title, directed by Vincente Minnelli, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the musical also recounts the romantic tale of Jerry Mulligan, an American soldier, struggling to make a name for himself as a painter in Paris, following World War II. It’s there he meets Lise Bouvier a Parisian dancer who carries a secret and with whom he falls in love. Complications arise, when Milo Roberts, a wealthy heiress reveals that she has designs on him. Making matters worse for Mulligan is the fact that two other suitors, one a friend of his, also pursue Lise.
Adapted from the film, the musical by Christopher Wheeldon with book by Craig Lucas premiered on Broadway in 2015 and won four Tony Awards. The centerpiece of both the film and the musical is its score which incorporates glorious songs by George and Ira Gershwin, leading contributors to the Great American Songbook, and like the film, the musical is also filled with contemporary and ballet dance numbers.
“An American in Paris” cast – Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Used with permission.
Over the years, I have seen much of director-choreographer Ron Morgan’s body of work but in the case of this production, it is truly one of his finest creations. Truly. His direction was impeccable, the staging inspired, and the choreography near flawless. Once again, Morgan has made the most of a confined space which is a feat he and his Beef and Boards colleagues are proficient at executing.
And then of course, there was the exemplary cast which consists of some of the finest talents I have witnessed during my time reviewing shows at the venue over the last half century. I was particularly impressed with the outstanding vocal, dancing, and dramatic skills of the versatile ensemble. Overall, the quality of performances was as good as any Broadway touring show I have seen in these parts. All of them star material, the leads included Jonathan Rose as the upbeat Jerry Mulligan; Sophie Aknin, a native of France, as his mysterious, conflicted love interest; Austin Glen Jacobs as Adam Hochberg as fellow veteran and pianist; and Sarah Hund as manipulative arts patron Milo Davenport.
Ian Black as Henri Baurel – Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Used with permission,
Standing out were popular local performers Ian Black as the charming and debonair Henri Baurel and Tiffany Gilliam, whose French accent was spot on, as his devoted mother Madame Baurel.
It goes without saying, however, that the true star of the show, with its lavish costumes, set pieces and beautifully designed video Ian projections, was the distinctive Gershwin music score interpreted by an accomplished six-piece orchestra led by Terry Woods. My favorite tunes, which accompanied spectacular production numbers included: “I Got Rhythm,” “The Man I Love,” “S Wonderful,” “But Not for Me,” “I’ll Build a Staircase to Paradise,” “Shall We Dance,” and of course, “An American in Paris.”
As far as I am concerned, any comprehensive review is not complete without an acknowledgment of the production’s creative team. The technical wizards of this show are more than deserving of praise for effectively capturing its essence and transporting the audience to Paris through their artistry. They include Michael Layton, scenic and projection designer; Ryan Koharchik, lighting designer; Jill Kelly Howe and Kathy Henry, costume design; and Daniel Hesselbrock sound design.
“An American in Paris” continues through May 14. For tickets, which include Chef Larry Stoops’s tasty dinner buffet, visit beefandboards.com.
