''An American in Paris'' is a one-act ballet choreographed by

Christopher Wheeldon Christopher Peter Wheeldon (born 22 March 1973) is an English international choreographer of contemporary ballet. Early life Born in Yeovil, Somerset, to an engineer and a physical therapist, Wheeldon began training to be a ballet dancer at th ...

, to the eponymous music by

George Gershwin George Gershwin (; born Jacob Gershwine; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned jazz, popular music, popular and classical music. Among his best-known works are the songs "Swan ...

, costumes designed by Holly Hynes, sets designed by

Adrianne Lobel Adrianne Lobel is an American scenic designer and producer for theatre, opera, and dance known for her "very daring and creative sets."Greenspon, Jaq. "Acting" (1996). McGraw-Hill Professional. , p. 82. Life and career Lobel was born and raised i ...

and lighting designed by

Natasha Katz Natasha Katz is an American lighting designer for the theatre, dance, and opera. Biography Early life and education A New York City native, Katz trained at Oberlin College, and early in her career was mentored by Roger Morgan, a lighting desi ...

. The ballet premiered on May 4, 2005, at the

New York State Theater The David H. Koch Theater is a theater for ballet and dance at Lincoln Center in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Originally named the New York State Theater, the venue has been home to the New York City Ballet sinc ...

. Wheeldon later directed and choreographed the musical adaptation of the ''

An American in Paris ''An American in Paris'' is a jazz-influenced symphonic poem (or tone poem) for orchestra by American composer George Gershwin first performed in 1928. It was inspired by the time that Gershwin had spent in Paris and evokes the sights and en ...

'' film.

Production

Choreographer

was first invited to choreograph the musical version of the film ''

'', though the project was abandoned. Wheeldon, who said

's orchestral piece of the same name was "a great piece of classical music" in addition to being a film score, decided to make a ballet version instead. On the choreography, Wheeldon said he wanted to create a more "balleticize" version with his own choreography, as the film's choreography is simple and uninteresting, but the cinematography made the film work on screen. He said he considered to have one of the dancers be off pointe, but went against it as it is a ballet. The set, designed by

, was inspired by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. Holly Hynes and

were brought in to design costumes and lighting respectively. ''An American in Paris'' premiered on May 4, 2005, at the

, the three lead roles were originated by Carla Körbes, Jenifer Ringer and Damian Woetzel, and Andrea Quinn conducted the orchestra. The ballet received mixed reviews. The reviewer for ''The New York Times'' wrote that Wheeldon was "clever in capturing idealized Paris street life" though "the dance never quite coheres." Another ''Times'' reviewer wrote that the scenes were unmemorable but "well crafted that the overall result is amiable entertainment." Wheeldon later claimed he "never felt entirely happy" with the ballet.

Musical

Wheeldon later went on to direct and choreograph musical adaptation of the ''

'' film, which was Wheeldon's directorial debut. The musical opened at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris in 2014, Palace Theatre (New York City), Palace Theatre, Broadway in 2015, and Dominion Theatre, West End in 2017. NYCB principal dancer Robert Fairchild and Royal Ballet's Leanne Cope originated the roles Jerry Mulligan and Lise Dassin respectively. Wheeldon was awarded the Tony Award for Best Choreography.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:American in Paris (ballet), An Ballets by Christopher Wheeldon Ballets to the music of George Gershwin New York City Ballet repertory 2005 ballets Ballets designed by Natasha Katz Ballets designed by Holly Hynes