The shining lights of the city reflected in the sparkling costumes; its nocturnal nature echoed in the everchanging bodies onstage. Flashes of champagne, sapphire blue, and sunset red engulfed the space. Our time on Broadway concluded with Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”—a visual (if somewhat lengthy) spectacle. Mia Heathcote and Joel Woellner shone as the lead couple, lovers determined to find one another amongst the chaos of Paris. They wove around a cacophony of characters: Moulin Rouge dancers, a painter and his muse, meddling mimes, and a personified Eifel Tower. Despite it being a vibrant end to the act, you did feel the length of the piece. Separating “An American in Paris” so that it stands alone as a singular act may help with the consumability of the work. The production would still transport audiences from city to city, just that Paris would be a more notable stop along the way. 

For Act Two, we were in Hollywood—the glamour of the silver screen romanticised onstage. It started with a moody bang, “Rhapsody in Blue” was a clear favourite of the audience. Neneka Yoshida and Patricio Revé sparkled as the lead dancers. Yoshida’s trademark precision was matched well by Revé dashing support. The dance also offered the audience a principal feast—it didn’t just feature one leading couple but three. It was a delight to see Heathcote and Woellner, plus Lucy Green and the newly promoted Alexander Idaszak, dance onstage next to each other. A treat not commonly experienced.