An American In Paris...Now and Then

Now: An American In Paris...Broadway Style

with direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon...

It stars Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope

as Jerry and Lise.

 Max Von Essen (right) plays Henri, French nightclub star,

and Brando Uranowitz (center) is Adam, the songwriter.

 The staged production includes all the Gershwin songs 

from the movie,

plus other goodies like "Shall We Dance," "The Man I Love,"

"Who Cares?, and "They Can't Take That Away From Me."

With a book by Craig Lucas and sets and costume design by Bob Crowley...

the show won 4 Tonys, but was bounced out of the 

Best Musical award by Fun Home.

Then: It was 1951...and Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly

were making the movie, with director Vincent Minnelli.

The choreography was all Gene.

 Leslie was 20 when Gene "discovered" her in the 

"Ballet des Champs Elysees"

and cast her as Lise.

Cyd Charisse was first hired to star, but had to leave the production

when she found she was pregnant.

"I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise", with Georges Guetary.

The ballet supposedly cost more than $500,000 to create...

today?  Maybe add a another digit!

Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay,

Best Score...but nothing for Gene?