Theatre Trips: An American in Paris and Meteor Shower

Hi everyone,

For Melissa's Kitties, I always intended to incorporate more posts about the plays, concerts, and other fun things I do throughout the year. I meant to start doing this in January after I saw An American in Paris, here in D.C., and Meteor Shower in New York City. But the day after I returned from New York, I came down with a cold that made me lose track of the time. I'm still catching up, so here's some old, interesting news from the theatre world.

An American in Paris

This new An American in Paris musical, which I attended at the Kennedy Center on January 6, is inspired by the 1951 classic film, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. It tells the story of an ex-GI who stays in Paris after World War II to follow his dream of being a painter. He falls in love with a French girl, but their relationship has complications.

If you've seen the movie as often as I have, you'd notice that this stage version is different. For example, some of the characters have different personalities than they do in the movie. (What bothered me most, of course, was that Jerry Mulligan isn't as friendly as Gene Kelly's version.) The French girl, Lise, is not a sales girl in a local shop but a ballet dancer, working toward her big break. (I consider this an improvement.) All the guys fight over her in this story. Also, some of the songs, all written by George and Ira Gershwin, are missing or different from those in the film.

These changes are okay because this stage musical is based on its own new book by Craig Lucas. This story has a more realistic tone that matches the post-war era. It stands on its own, but it pays homage to the film with nice choreography by Christopher Wheeldon and impressive moving sets that seem to dance across the stage to the music. (It reminded me of how things moved in the historic 17-minute ballet at the end of the film.) In its own way, this version of An American in Paris still captures the art, excitement, and romance of the city and the promise of new beginnings. Find An American in Paris on tour for a nostalgic journey through the City of Lights. 

Meteor Shower
I heard about Meteor Shower when it was first announced that 1) Steve Martin wrote this new play, and 2) the cast includes Amy Schumer (making her Broadway debut), Keegan-Michael Key (from Comedy Central's Key & Peele), and Laura Benanti (a Broadway star most recently made famous for her great impression of Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). I had to see it! My theatre buddy and I planned an emergency road trip to New York for the show at Booth Theatre on January 13, a week before it closed.

The story, which takes place in 1993, is about a California couple, Corky (Amy Schumer) and Norm (Jeremy Shamos), who are expecting another, more sophisticated couple over for dinner. Before they arrive, the other couple, Laura (Laura Benanti) and Gerald (Keegan Michael Key) decide to play tricks on their friends by telling them lies about their own past, like how Laura was a really fat child and Gerald had bad parents. The witty conversations that follow throughout the evening spark plenty of laughter because of the wonderful writing and performances. Also, a meteor shower happens and someone gets hit, but don't worry, it's hilarious.

Jokes and sprinkled throughout Meteor Shower in gestures, looks, reactions, and quips – all of which I could tell came from the mind of Steve Martin. Here are just a few examples:

• While they are preparing for their guests to arrive, Corky and Norm catch themselves saying snide remarks to each other during their conversations. Each time, they stop and run to face one another and hold hands. As if fresh from relationship therapy, they calmly tell each things like, "I understand that you probably didn't know you hurt me. I'm asking you to be more careful with my feelings." and "I love you and I know you love me." Once satisfied with their exchange, they nod to confirm forgiveness, scramble back to whatever they were doing, and resume their conversation. 

• Keegan-Michael Key made me laugh the most: When he first shows up, he yells his responses to any questions and dominates everyone's personal space. 

• Between scenes, Laura Benanti and Amy Schumer take turns doing a short dance, like a shuffle or tap routine, while classical music plays and the set rotates from the interior side of the home to the backyard side. It's unexpected silliness. (I imagined Steve Martin thinking this up: How are we going to fill the break? Let's just have Laura Benanti do the Charleston on the side for 30 seconds.)

At first, what's happening in this play is unclear. It becomes clearer when you realize that some scenes are repeated from different perspectives while other scenes share earlier conversations. But nothing is completely clear until the end when it's revealed that Laura and Gerald are the subconscious selves of Corky and Norm. Now, if only I could remember everything that was said and done in the last 80 minutes, I'd be set. Since none of us can see it right now, armed with this new context, here's hoping we can all find it in writing somewhere. Look for Meteor Shower if it tours. Steve Martin has given us a funny thinker.







Posters: An American in Paris © Allied Touring; Meteor Shower © DKC/O&M

Lesson

The Kitties were gearing up for an art lesson this week, since I've been immersed in Pikaland Artist Bootcamp. But then we found out that An American in Paris was this week's "Essential Movie" on TCM. Hopelessly devoted to Gene Kelly since I was a kid, I've seen this movie a zillion times. (And I could always go for one more.)

I remembered that during one of my favorite dance numbers in this film Gene Kelly's character gives the neighborhood kids a lesson in song and dance.

But how do I get there? 

For me, creating boxes isn't as easy as it looks.
I'm straight-line challenged.

Once I have an idea of what I want to draw, I get images in my head of which cat will be doing what. In this case, B.J. was the winner for pulling off the dance sequence. (Hands down, he is the dancer of the family.) 

For this week's drawing, I had to watch the dance a few times to figure out which moments to capture. I use 9-inch by 12-inch spiral-bound all-media books for my drawings and begin each one in pencil. For a drawing with lots of action, I create however many panels I think I'll need for each scene. Usually, I use only six boxes. Here, I needed a couple more panels, so I made them a bit smaller (7 centimeters by 9 centimeters).

Next, I drew most of it out and began tracing my pencil with pen.

I haven't prepared a good lesson: I forgot to scan this pencil drawing before I began tracing.  

I don't usually bother drawing small details, like music notes or words, in pencil unless I need a reminder. Here, I did have to mark the cats in the crowd (with tiny first-name initials). Otherwise, I'd forget which was which by the time I got my Prismacolor markers out.

Halfway there....

Then, I color until I'm done, and my fingers are usually stained in rainbow shades by the end of the night. While coloring this one, I realized that I forgot some tails and needed a more colorful background. We're in Paris after all, surrounded by art--with a George Gershwin soundtrack! Who could ask for anything more?

(Illustration Friday: April 29, 2011) 

As Gene Kelly would say, Viola! 

The winner of six Oscars, including one for Best Picture, An American in Paris is a classic MGM musical everyone should see. Directed by the great Vincent Minelli, the story follows Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly), a struggling painter who falls in love with a young French girl named Lise (Leslie Caron). Although they spend all of their spare time together, neither knows what happens when they are apart. Jerry is spending hours preparing for his first exhibition, organized by a rich sponsor (Nina Foch) who has a crush on him. Lise, meanwhile, is engaged to a cabaret singer--a friend of her parents who cared for her during the war. Don't worry, it all turns out okay.

Amidst all this drama, of course, is some fantastic music and wonderful dancing. In one dance number, Jerry teaches the neighborhood children some English. He starts by pointing out objects on the street, moves on to singing "I Got Rhythm" with them, and then--Well, B.J.'s got it down.

Sadly, I couldn't embed the song and dance on my blog for your viewing pleasure, but you can find it on YouTube here.

Enjoy--It'll make you smile!