Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Overall, Kurdziel-Formato, a director who has worked mostly in Europe, takes a far darker tone than did Wheeldon in the technicolor Broadway original. You could conceive of "American in Paris" as offering audiences a romantic respite, but that is not what this particular interpretation is doing. Rather, throughout its ballets, it is playing with the idea of a citizenry suffering from a collective post-fascist, post-traumatic stress disorder, trying desperately to put their lives back together. I don't mean to overstate that filter; if you love the film, you'll find plenty of romance and joy here, but the gifted set designer Kevin Depinet and the costumer Karl Green clearly are exploring the contrast between the pluralistic Paris so many of us love and its fragility in the wake of the Nazis and their apologists."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...War isn't over when it's over. That bitter pronouncement opens Drury Lane's lavish production of "An American in Paris," the 2014 musical inspired by the 1951 movie of the same name. With music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin and a book by Craig Lucas, the musical is a love letter to the resilience and beauty of Paris in the wake of the Nazi occupation."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Drury Lane Theatre's dreamy regional premiere of "An American in Paris" takes pains to set itself apart from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production. And one noticeable difference is how Lynne Kurdziel-Formato, a director and choreographer rooted more in the world of musical theater than classical ballet, has given a brassier, showbiz sheen to this stage adaptation of the frothy 1951 Academy Award-winning film musical."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...You don't have to know the classic 1951 movie musical to be disappointed by this 2015 stage version, but it helps. Where the original (directed by Vincente Minnelli from a screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner) was lighthearted and funny and utterly charming, the 2015 version is dark and complicated and only intermittently funny. The problem lies with Craig Lucas's book, though given the intensely collaborative nature of Broadway musicals one never knows if Lucas dreamed up the myriad bad choices in his story or was strong-armed into making them."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...With music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, based on the book by Craig Lucas, Drury Lane Theatre brings to its stage, a perfection of song and dance that will bring a smile to your face and delight your soul, in 'An American In Paris.'"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...As a teen, I fell in love with an LP ( that is a long playing album of music) "Levant plays Gershwin" that my brother gave me for my birthday. On this marvelous album, Gershwin's "Concerto in F", "Rhapsody In Blue" and "An American in Paris". I guess I listened to this album a great deal as over the years I wore out several. The music always stood out in my mind and when I was older, I watched the movie "An American In Paris" starring Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant and Leslie Caron. While the story is beautiful, it is the music that captures one's heart and soul. When the Broadway tour came through, I made sure that we caught this Tony Award winning show. It is a different type of musical filled with breathtaking dance and for those who love dance, a true delight is on the stage at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...For sheer entertainment, this wonderful musical production can’t be beat. It tells an unabashedly romantic story, set against the City of Lights, and made even more magical by the Gershwins’ lush score. This multi Tony Award-winning musical is sure to be embraced by every theatre fanatic, as well as devotees of the classic film. It features superb choreography and singing, performed by a phenomenally talented cast and surrounded by gorgeous sets and costumes. Audiences are guaranteed to leave the theatre humming songs like “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” “But Not For Me” and “I’ve Got Rhythm.” Who could ask for anything more? This is simply a Gershwin-ner of a production."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...A touring production of "An American in Paris" visited the Chicago Loop in the summer of 2017 and my feeling about the show matched the revival in Oakbrook Terrace-fine dancing and music fighting it out with a tiresome story. So if you can tolerate the talking portion of the show, you should have a rewarding time."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Spend an evening with this terrifically talented company-under musical director and conductor par excellence Chris Sargent-and you'll be saying "Oui! Oui!" all the way home."
