New York, New York, it's a helluva town. On the Town at theatre du Chatelet is a helluva revival.
Every holiday season for the past three years, the theatre du Chatelet has produced a classic Leonard Bernstein musical, with the past two seasons seeing excellent full-scale productions of Candide and West Side Story. This year it's the musical Valentine to New York, On the Town, based on the original ballet Fancy Free by Jerome Robbins.Oliver Smith, the friend that introduced the two, urged them to extend the ballet into a full-blown musical. Bernstein suggested that his friends Adolph Green and Betty Comden, two complete unknowns, write the score and lyrics. On the Town opened on Broadway in December 1944 in the thick of WWII and became a smash hit. The rest is Broadway history with the four of them going on to collaborate on many more successes.
It's a simple story: three sailors on leave in New York for only 24 hours look for love and adventure in the Big Apple. One of the great things about the shows in the series is the commitment by theatre du Chatelet to faithfully revive them to the original Broadway productions. The production values are glorious with imaginative,evocative sets and colorful period but not dated costumes. Although there are no standouts in the cast, the true ensemble delivers impeccably with solid performances. Caroline O'Connor, makes her character Hildy Esterhazy,gruff and lovable at the same time. The orchestra is wonderful delivering Bernstein's brass heavy music with verve.I've forgotten how haunting the song Lonely Town is, and Joshua Dallas playing Gabey, sings Lucky to Be Me with such convincingly sweet innocence, its infectious. The Subway Ride ballet in the end of the second act elevates the production and moves it into pure dance with Jerome Robbins simple and athletic choreography.
It's so rare that one sees a true Broadway musical in Paris, let alone one that is of such high caliber, so if you want some good old-fashioned entertainment that's perfect for the holidays, spend a night On the Town at theatre du Chatelet.
Théâtre du Châtelet
2, rue Edouard Colonne,1st arr.
Métro: Châtelet.
Tel.: 01 40 28 28 40.
Tickets: up to €95.
Through January 4
www.chatelet-theatre.com
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
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