‘An American in Paris’ theater review

Call it déjà vu, a coincidence or odd planning, but there are now two musicals on Broadway based on Oscar-winning 1950s Technicolor MGM movie musicals that starred Leslie Caron, were directed by Vincente Minnelli and are romances set in Paris. Last week “Gigi” opened, and now there’s “An American in Paris.” But whereas “Gigi” is technically a revival, “An American in Paris” has never been done on stage. What also sets it apart are its intricate ballet sequences from ballet star Christopher Wheeldon (who serves as director-choreographer), exceptional music supervision from Rob Fisher, a dazzling design scheme by Bob Crowley and an unusually somber book by playwright Craig Lucas. It is also yet another musical that ransacks the Gershwin song catalog (in the tradition of “Crazy for You” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It”).