An American in Paris
Cast
photo by John Vecchiolla
Although Luxury Experience only recently "discovered" the Westchester Broadway Theatre when we attended their lavish production of An Americanin Paris on opening night, Thursday, October 10, 2019, the theatre celebratedits 45th anniversary in July 2019. Owners and Executive Producers Bob Funking and Bill Stutler founded the WBT in 1974, and since then the theatre has presented over 210 main stage productions. The playbills that line the walls attest to the wonderful history of the theatre.
An American in Paris
Deanna Doyle (Lise), Brandon Haagenson (Jerry Mulligan)
photo by John Vecchiolla
The musical, An American in Paris, was inspired by the Academy Award winning 1951 MGM film, An American in Paris, directed by Vincente Minelli and starring Gene Kelly (as the artist Jerry Mulligan), Leslie Caron (as Lise Dassin), Oscar Levant (Adam Cook) Georges Guétary (Henri Baurel), and Nina Foch (Milo Roberts). Ira and George Gershwin crafted a host of memorable music for the film including the songs, I Got Rhythm, I’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise, S’Wonderful, Shall We Dance,and so many more.
An American in Paris
Lauren Sprague (Milo Davenport),
Brandon Haagenson (Jerry Mulligan)
photo by John Vecchiolla
As longtime fans of the film, An American in Paris, (we have watched the film countless times throughout the years), we looked forward to seeing the play version at WBT and we loved it! The play is set in Paris, France in 1945 at the end of the Second World War. Paris has recently been liberated, and American soldier Jerry Mulligan (Brandon Haagenson) is not quite ready to go home yet. As an artist, Paris excites his senses as does the lovely Lise Dassin (Deanna Doyle), a French shop girl and aspiring ballerina. Together with fellow American Adam Hochberg, former soldier and pianist composer (played by Tommaso Antico), and Parisian Henri Baurel (played by Jonathan Young), they form an unlikely but likeable trio, all of whom have unknowingly fallen for the same girl. Rounding out the stellar cast is Erika Amato (as Madame Baurel, Henri’s formidable mother), Ian Knauer (Monsieur Baurel, Henri’s father), and the wealthy Milo Davenport (played by Lauren Sprague), who has fallen in love with Jerry.
An American in Paris
Jonathan Young (Henri Baurel),
Tommaso Antico (Adam Hochberg),
Brandon Haagenson (Jerry Mulligan)
photo by John Vecchiolla
The WBT’s theatre-in-the-round set-up allowed the cast to fully utilize all of access points to maximize the experience bringing the dancing as close to the audience as possible. Steve Loftus, the Set Designer deftly recreated the essence of Paris, and Keith Nielsen, the Costume Designer for the production, nailed the 1940s feel of post-war Paris with his sumptuous and elaborate costumes. Director and Choreographer Richard Stafford did a wonderful job in capturing the essence of An American in Paris and bringing it tothe WBT’s stage. Bravo!
An American in Paris
Cast singing "I Got Rhythm"
photo by John Vecchiolla
Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!
Cast:
|
Brandon Haagenson |
Jerry Mulligan |
|
Deanna Doyle |
Lise Dassin |
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Erika Amato |
Madame Baurel |
|
Tommaso Antico |
Adam Hochberg |
|
Lauren Sprague |
Milo Davenport |
|
Jonathan Young |
Henri Baurel |
|
Ian Knauer |
Monsieur Baurel |
|
Danielle Benrens |
|
|
Rachel Beiswenger |
|
|
Joseph Cullinane |
|
|
Jamie Ford |
|
|
Tim Fuchs |
|
|
Rachel Britton Hart |
|
|
Leeds Hill |
|
|
Katy Kauffman |
|
|
Ryan Lambert |
|
|
Garrett Marks |
|
|
Lisa Mather |
|
|
Georgina Moore |
|
|
Collin Sanderson |
|
|
Rebecca Shulla |
|
|
Joey Simon |
|
|
Charity Van Tassel |
|
|
Kate Wesler |
|
|
Kent Zimmerman |
|
The Creative Team:
|
George and Ira Gershwin |
Music and Lyrics |
|
Craig Lucas |
Book |
|
Richard Stafford |
Direction & Choreography |
|
Ryan Wise |
Musical Direction |
|
Steve Loftus |
Set Design |
|
Andrew Gmoser |
Lighting Design |
|
Mark Zuckerman |
Sound Design |
|
Keith Nielsen |
Costume Designer |
|
Gerard Kelly |
Wig & Hair Design |
|
Victor Lukas |
Production Stage Manager |
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Theresa Stark |
ASM |
|
Grumpy’s Props |
Properties |
|
Lisa Tiso |
Associate Producer |
About Westchester Broadway Theatre:
"The Westchester Broadway Theatre (WBT) is the longest running year-round Equity theatre in the state of New York, with a 44-year history of over 200 main-stage productions and nearly 1000 Monday/Tuesday special events and concerts. Our objective with this world-class venue is to always provide our audiences – which come from far and wide – with the highest production values and most memorable entertainment/dining experiences. "
"WBT is the only theatre of its kind in Westchester where Broadway performers, directors and designers gather to create this level of Musical Theatre. Each show is produced exclusively for WBT and is approached similarly to a Broadway production: casting Broadway performers at auditions in New York City and engaging the creative staff (Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Live Orchestra, Set, Costume & Lighting Designers, etc.) On musical "dark nights," WBT has presented nearly 1000 Monday and Tuesday night special events and concerts, featuring top-tier talents such as Jackie Mason, Tom Jones, George Carlin, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton and Harry Belafonte. With the continued support of our tri-state area audiences, we pledge to continue to present the best in theatre and dining!"
WBT performance schedule for An American in Paris: Wednesdays at 11:15 am, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 am and 6:15 pm, Saturdays at 11:15 am, Sundays at 11:45 pm and 5:15 pm. Ticket pricing depends on options of Dinner & Show or Show Only. Visit the website or call the box office for pricing options.
For information on the play, upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at +1-914-592-2222 or visit them on the website at www.broadwaytheatre.com.
Upcoming Performances – 2019 – 2021
|
An American in Paris |
October 3 – November 24, 2019 |
|
It Happened One Christmas |
November 27 – December 23, 2019 |
|
Lend Me A Tenor |
January 3 – January 26, 2020 |
|
Five Guys Named Moe |
January 30 – March 1, 2020 |
|
All Shook Up |
March 5 – May 3, 2020 |
|
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella |
May 7 – July 5, 2020 |
|
9 to 5 The Musical |
July 9 – September 19, 2020 |
|
Kinky Boots |
September 24 – November 29, 2020 |
|
Kinky Boots |
December 30 – January 24, 2021 |
The Westchester Broadway Theatre
One Broadway Plaza
Elmsford, New York 10523
Telephone: +1-914-592-2222
Website: www.broadwaytheatre.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestchesterBroadwayTheatrenew
Instagram: @wbt_theatre
Twitter: @wbt_theatre
Parking is always free and accessible. By train, take Metro North to Tarrytown.
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© October 2019. Luxury Experience www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
