Leslie Caron News

One of the most captivating musicals ever to be adapted for the stage, An American in Paris, makes its regional premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse July 11 through August 4

From curtain rise to fall, 'An American in Paris' hinges on dance. The show is a work of art from start to finish, as every danced moment, from the nuance of falling in love to show-stopping kick lines, is crafted to artistic perfection.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) announces the casting for the final production of the 2018 Nutmeg Summer Series: "Jesus Christ Superstar", the iconic rock opera based on the last week of Jesus' life that has blown away audiences for over 40 years. CRT Nutmeg Summer Series Artistic Director Terrence Mann directs. "Jesus Christ Superstar" stars Alex Prakken (Jesus), Ryan Vona (Judas) and Jonathan Cobrda (Pontius Pilate).

Many people may have heard of the famous movie, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, from 1951. It starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The music was written by the famous brothers, George and Ira Gershwin. Fast forward to 2014 when it was reimagined (book by Craig Lucas), including additional songs and removal of other songs, and opened in Paris. In 2015, it opened on Broadway. As it saw great success in both Paris and Broadway, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS took to the road and is currently touring around North America with its most recent stop in San Antonio, Texas. Seeing the show was both captivating and entrancing as the cast pulled off a flawless performance from start to finish.

The Laguna Playhouse raised $1.7 Million at their annual gala held on May 12, 2018 at Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California. Attended by 400 playhouse patrons, the sold-out event featured a VIP Sponsors Reception, an elegant dinner, live and silent auction, entertainment and a special performance by 'Phantom of the Opera' star Davis Gaines. Honored at the event were the Moulton Family and South Coast Plaza.

In recent years, Broadway musicals have come from seemingly every kind of source material, from books to movies to comics. Sometimes, the results are extraordinary and exceptional, while other times, they are just ordinary. Or, in some cases, like An American in Paris, it turn out to be a less-than-ordinary show that fails on many levels.

An American in Paris is a gorgeous fusion of dance and classic musical theatre that is based on the 1951 film of the same name. Originally starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the film won 6 Academy Awards and introduced Gershwin staples such as "I Got Rhythm" and "'S Wonderful." The Broadway version debuted in 2015 and won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.

The spotlight will shine bright at the Laguna Playhouse' annual gala, May 12, with special performances by 'Phantom of the Opera Star' Davis Gaines, a tribute to the Moulton Theatre's 50th anniversary, and a host of highlights celebrated throughout the much-anticipated, elegant affair.

Park Square Theatre's Andy Boss Thrust Stage is once again the home to Flying Foot Forum's signature storytelling with FRENCH TWIST, a cabaret of gorgeous music, theatrical storytelling and percussive dance set in a Paris Nightclub that runs from June 22 to July 15, 2018. This 25th anniversary production starts with the premise of the company's original production which premiered at The Guthrie in 2008, but now includes new characters, melodic new songs and inventive dances. Director/choreographer Joe Chvala fuses vaudeville, tap, cabaret, follies, opera, and percussive art forms to evoke American's wildest imaginings of life in the City of Light.

4/15/18 ~ HONORING GEORGE CHAKIRIS, BARRIE CHASE & TONI BASIL There's a certain feeling that invades my consciousness when I attend a Dancer's Event... It is a deep, passionate, all-encompassing love amongst it's members. And that is what I was feeling, attending a most prestigious (in my opinion) Event; The Professional Dancer's Society 31st Annual Luncheon & “Gypsy” Award Ceremony, held Yearly in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton.

What a trail of stardust the whole musical leaves! There are the sets and lighting which dazzle in their nimble evocation of the wonders of Paris, with a side-step into a fantasy nightclub that seems to be Radio City Music Hall, complete with spangled leggy chorines and dudes in top hats and tails. There is the dancing of the athletic McGee Maddox and the graceful Allison Walsh. (How many performers out there can claim true balletic chops, skill at acting and singing - and the aforementioned hotness?) And the word 'dazzling' seems to have been coined for Gershwin's music, generously ladled over the entire enterprise, and beautifully performed.

The spotlight will shine bright at the Laguna Playhouse' annual gala, May 12, with special performances by 'Phantom of the Opera Star' Davis Gaines, a tribute to the Moulton Theatre's 50th anniversary, and a host of highlights celebrated throughout the much-anticipated, elegant affair.

Rogue Machine Theatre (2017 Ovation Award "Best Season," and two time recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle "Polly Warfield Award for an Excellent Season in a Small to Mid-Size Theatre") presents four new plays in 2018, about the haunted, about how we survive in a world that is increasingly nonsensical. In addition, an American premiere and a West Coast premiere are being added to Rogue Machine's season.

This must be one of the prettiest shows for the stage. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, currently being presented at Mirvish, will have you shaking your head in wonder at Bob Crowley's imaginative set design and Christopher Wheeldon's breathtaking direction and choreography. The musical, inspired by the Academy Award-winning motion picture with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, features the sublime music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. Although the performances are tremendously uneven, the musical is a feast for the eyes that is an unmissable theatrical attraction in Toronto.

Academy Award and Golden Globe winning performer George Chakiris and acclaimed dancer, Barrie Chase have been named the honorees for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.  Emmy and Grammy nominated choreographer/director/singer Toni Basil will receive the organization's Choreographer's Award.  PDS' 31st Anniversary Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.

TV5MONDE USA, America's only 24/7 French language entertainment channel, has scheduled the world television premiere of the inaugural recipient of the 2017 French Culture Film Grant – Le Grand Remix – at 8:30pm/ET-5:30pm/PT on March 21st as part of its annual month-long Mois de la Francophonie celebration. French Culture Film Grant is the result of a partnership formed last year between #CreateLouisiana and TV5MONDE USA to celebrate Louisiana-based filmmakers and to inspire them to create groundbreaking new films showcasing French culture, the history of Louisiana and local acting talent. 

freeFall favorites Nick Lerew (freeFall's The Light in The Piazza) and Britta Ollman (freeFall's Red Velvet) return to St. Petersburg to co-star in a delightful musical romance. If you loved freeFall's The Light in The Piazza, you will fall in love all over again with freeFall's Spring Musical, Daddy Long Legs.

Lane Bradbury - dainty June to Ethel Merman's Rose in the original Broadway production of Gypsy - returned to the stage of Don't Tell Mama cabaret theater for another rousing performance of her current cabaret, LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU, AGAIN with a script by award-winning playwright, Doug DeVita.

Another S'Wonderful night at the Saenger! From the stunning backdrops to the French accents, you may find yourself believing that you're in Paris by the end of the night. 'An American in Paris' is a fantastic review of dance set to the incredible score by George and Ira Gershwin.

The Houston Symphony and Music Director Andr s Orozco-Estrada announced today details of the 2018-19 season, which marks Orozco-Estrada's fifth year as music director. Highlights of the season include conducting appearances by world-class violinists Joshua Bell and Itzhak Perlman; the world premiere of Aurora, a violin concerto by Houston Symphony Composer-in-Residence Jimmy L pez; and a semi-staged opera performance of Bart k's Bluebeard's Castle.