Set in the magical world of La Belle Epoque in turn-of-the-century Paris, GIGI is a timeless romantic comedy about a young woman groomed in the custom of her family to be a companion to a bored, wealthy playboy, until the two unexpectedly realize this is in fact true love.
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the debut of Gigi on Broadway. Lerner and Loewe's Tony Award-winning score was first heard in the 9-time Academy Award-winning Best Picture of the same name, directed by Vincente Minnelli. The movie, which was the last of the classic MGM musicals, was based on the Broadway play by Anita Loos and the popular novella by Colette.
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's beloved musical GIGI will return to Broadway in a production directed by Tony Award-nominee Eric D. Schaeffer (Follies), in a new adaptation by acclaimed British playwright and Emmy-nominated screenwriter Heidi Thomas ("Cranforde," "Upstairs Downstairs," "Call the Midwife".)
There is one performer who creates a small center of warmth and feeling, the wonderful Victoria Clark, as Gigi's loving grandmother. When she and Hoty join for a duet on 'Little Girls,' the two theater veterans give us a glimpse of the pleasure musical theater can provide. (The song belonged in the film to Honore, but having an elderly man sing a paean to pre-adolescent females obviously no longer seemed advisable.) Clark, who has a lovely voice, also created a special moment with her solo on 'Say A Prayer.' Otherwise, 'Gigi' is the night the Champagne went flat.
The musical, based on a 1944 novel by Colette, is not Lerner and Loewe's best. But it's lovingly updated in a new Broadway incarnation directed by Eric Schaeffer, with magnificent visuals of Belle Époque Paris, arresting choreography and, yes, a charming performance by leading lady Vanessa Hudgens. Hudgens...makes a commendable Broadway debut as a young woman in the throes of adolescent gawkiness, long limbs flailing as she imitates poses of womanhood...Victoria Clark is in lovely voice and emanates warmth and kindness in the role...Hudgens...deserves credit for pulling off a role that must nearly carry the show...Hudgens gives a generous, if not always naturalistic, performance as she transitions from an irrepressible tomboy to an elegant woman in love. Although her acting occasionally suffers from over-enunciation, she sings well and impressively keeps pace with the show's dancers...She has a fitting match in Cott, who has a lovely light tenor and willingness to go all-out goofy in the song 'Gigi,' where his blinders finally come off.
2015 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Kennedy Center Production Washington, DC (Regional) |
2015 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Catherine Zuber |
2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Victoria Clark |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Victoria Clark |
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