Ifreality can inspire art, so can other art forms. Witness the afterlife ofGeorge Gershwin’s 1928 symphonic poem An American in Paris, which inspired the1951 film starring Gene Kelly, which decades later inspired the successful newBroadway production. An American in Paris has been nominated for 12 Tony Awards(tune in June 7 for the winners). Can a new film based on the Broadway hit befar behind?
MasterworksBroadway has just released an original cast recording of An American in Paris.Many of the songs will be familiar. Gershwin numbers such as “I Got Rhythm,” “S’Wonderful”and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” have long been standards. Therenditions presented on the new CD might not be up to the classic version, butthen again, the field is crowded with so many classic versions by greatperformers over the decades. The singing is entirely credible, as are the freshyet traditional arrangements.
PlaywrightCraig Lucas composed a storyline inspired by the Gene Kelly film by sequencingfamiliar Gershwin songs and orchestral interludes. Christopher Wheeldonchoreographed the dance numbers, which should make the new musical attractiveas eye-catching source material for a future Hollywood production.
