Christopher Wheeldon has my great admiration for what he has seen and accomplished with this musical. He didn't change the story, he didn't change the characters. He respected the original film and especially the Gershwin music. He brought out the best in everyone. This is a beautiful show and from the excerpts I've viewed, well worth seeing.
There is a great tragedy with this show. Fairchild and Cope are absolutely incredible together, the veritable pairing "made in heaven". But after this show, what other vehicle exists that matches their almost unique combined talents. It seems a loss that they probably must eventually return separately to the world of ballet ─ a wonderful world but not one that explores their combined and multifaceted talents as does American in Paris. To see them work together in this is an enormously treasured and rare experience. I am writing after the show went to London and that is also now concluded. Where to now for this incomparable duo?
And yet casts are changed all the time. There are other actor/dancers in Jerry Mulligan's role. There are just so many hugely talented people. I agree Fairchild/Cope was a unique pairing. But they have understudies and an understudy took the role that Fairchild originated.
How about folks interested in auditioning for the mostly non-dance roles? (Thinking particularly of Mme. Baurel.) I know the tour is cast, but am hoping it will have a good long run, and that understudies, standbys, and/or replacements may be needed eventually.
