An American in Paris
- Animation
- Artwork
65 years after the film An American in Paris (starring Gene Kelly, directed by Vincente Minnelli) won six Academy Awards, Christopher Wheeldon brings the story to the stage, directing a musical that brings together the romance of post-war Paris and the timeless songs of George and Ira Gershwin.
Video design by 59 Productions.
Date
April 2015
Venue
Théâtre du Chatelet, Paris
Palace Theater, Broadway
Dominion Theatre, West End
US tour
My Involvement
Working as an Assistant Animator for 59 Productions, I was tasked with creating content that would be projected on the moving flats (upright surfaces of mobile set).
The main character in the show was often seen drawing in his sketchbook. The expressive animation style followed this analogue inspiration, brought to life as if on the artist’s page.
The first stage of my work was to gather public domain photographs of post-war Paris. Using Photoshop, I took elements from these and composed them within the layout of the flats.
I then digitally applied a painted look to the compositions and created a chalky hand-drawn sketch of the scene.
I combined these two layers in After Effects. The chalk lines would draw on, with the oil paint layer bleeding on soon after.
Software
Photoshop
After Effects
Awards
Olivier Awards
2018 Winner
Best Set Design (Bob Crowley and 59 Productions – Dominion Theatre)
Tony Awards®
2015 – 4 Wins
Including:
Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Bob Crowley & 59 Productions)
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
12 Nominations
Including:
Best Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Drama Desk Awards
2015 – 4 Wins
Including:
Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Choreography
12 Nominations
Including:
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Projection Design (59 Productions)
Outer Circle Critics Awards
2015 – 4 Wins
Including:
Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical
8 Nominations
Including:
Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Lighting Design
Selected Reviews
“An American in Paris is an explosion of movement; even the design, with Paris conjured in line drawings that are sketched into Parisian landmarks before our eyes, just as our aspiring artist hero Jerry would be doing as he walks the streets of the city, feel like they’re dancing.”
London Theatre
“This is also that rare show where the designs also dance. Paris is magically conjured in line drawings that come to life before our eyes, as do startling transformations. It is sheer musical theatre magic.”
The Stage
“The story has been radically improved, but it is the look of the show that stuns one. Crowley’s designs not only seem part of the choreography but also offer a painterly kaleidoscope. The glimmer of light on water reminds one of Monet, there is more than a touch of Renoir’s rainbow palette in a masquerade ball and the bustling boulevards, while the geometric shapes and vibrant colours in the final ballet evoke Picasso and the paper collages of late Matisse. If you were to freeze the action at any point, you would be left with a powerful image.”
The Guardian
Credits
Music
George Gershwin
Lyricist
Ira Gershwin
Book
Craig Lucas
Director / Choreographer
Christopher Wheeldon
Musical Adaptation
Rob Fisher
Set and Costume
Bob Crowley
Lighting Design
Natasha Katz
Video Design
59 Productions
59 Productions Team
Creative Directors
Leo Warner
Benjamin Pearcy
Senior Animators
Lawrence Watson
Nicol Scott
Senior Assistant Designer
Akhila Krishnan
Assistant Designer
Brad Peterson
Animators
Jarek Radecki
Joseph Pierce
Additional Animation
Georgia Clegg
Video Programmers
Ben Krall
Zach Peletz
Max Spielbichler