Did an American in Paris Win a Tony?

By Anna Duncan

The Background

“An American in Paris” is a musical production that premiered in 2014. The musical is based on the 1951 movie of the same name, which starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The movie was a huge success and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The musical version was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. The show opened on Broadway in April 2015 at the Palace Theatre.

The Plot

The plot of “An American in Paris” revolves around an American soldier named Jerry Mulligan, who decides to stay in Paris after World War II. He falls in love with a dancer named Lise Dassin, but there are complications. Lise is already engaged to Henri Baurel, and their engagement is supported by Madame Baurel.

Meanwhile, Jerry becomes friends with Adam Hochberg, a fellow veteran who has become a composer. They both fall for the same woman named Milo Davenport.

The Tony Award Wins

“An American in Paris” was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and won four of them:

  • Best Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
  • Best Orchestrations: Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott
  • Best Scenic Design: Bob Crowley and 59 Productions
  • Best Lighting Design: Natasha Katz

The show also received nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

The Legacy

“An American in Paris” ran on Broadway for over a year, closing in October 2016 after 623 performances. The show also had productions in London’s West End and on tour throughout the United States.

The musical has been praised for its stunning choreography, beautiful music, and impressive set design. It has also been noted for its ability to tell a story through dance.

In Conclusion

“An American in Paris” may not have won Best Musical at the Tony Awards, but it still made a big impact on the Broadway scene. The show’s creative team was recognized for their outstanding work with four well-deserved wins. If you have yet to see this breathtaking production, be sure to add it to your list!