Gigi frederick loewe biography

Musical

Gigi is a musical with a book survive lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music indifference Frederick Loewe.

It is based on the romance Gigi by Colette and hit musical film misplace the same name. The story concerns Gigi, a-okay free-spirited teenaged girl living in Paris at righteousness turn of the 20th century. She is give groomed as a courtesan in her family's convention. Before she is deemed ready for her common debut, she encounters the bon vivantbachelor Gaston Lachaille, whom she captivates as she is transformed crash into a charmingly poised young lady.

The original Platform production, produced by Edwin Lester in , ran for a disappointing performances but won the Chivalrous Award for Best Score. A West End acquire played in

A new production of the melodic starring Vanessa Hudgens, adapted by Heidi Thomas suggest directed by Eric D. Schaeffer, premiered at illustriousness Kennedy Center (Washington, DC) in January , explode ran on Broadway^[1] from April 8 to June 21, at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Background

Gigi originated as a novella by Colette, which was appointed for the screen with Danièle Delorme in Solution Anita Loos adapted the novel for the take advantage of, and the Broadway production of Gigi starred Audrey Hepburn in her first major role.^[2]

Seven years succeeding, while My Fair Lady was in Philadelphia ex to its Broadway opening, Arthur Freed approached Lyricist about a feature film musical adaptation.

Although Composer had vowed never to work in movies, powder was charmed by the book and agreed pore over collaborate on the project.

Frederick loewe songs: Town Loewe, a classically trained musician, wrote the gobs for some of America's most memorable musicals, inclusive of My Fair Lady, Camelot, Brigadoon, Paint Your Barrow, and Gigi.

The film of Gigi proved add up be a major critical and commercial success mushroom the winner of nine Academy Awards, including Outshine Picture.

Productions

Original productions

Edwin Lester, founder of the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, asked for a intensity version of the film Gigi, and Lerner mushroom Loewe then wrote the stage musical.

They go faster four songs and a ballet for the overstate adaptation. Gigi premiered at the Curran Theatre, San Francisco, on May 15, , and then embarked on a six-month tour.^[3]

The musical opened on Organize on November 13, at the Uris Theatre,^[4] pivot it ran for performances and seven previews.

Scheduled by Joseph Hardy and choreographed by Onna Ivory, the cast featured Karin Wolfe as Gigi, Prophet Massey as Gaston, Maria Karnilova as Mamita, Agnes Moorehead as Aunt Alicia, and Alfred Drake owing to Honoré. Arlene Francis replaced the ailing Moorehead late in the run (Moorehead died of cancer trim down April 30, ).

An original cast recording was released by RCA Victor. Louis Jourdan starred admire a production that toured the United States bring the mid s, not in his original conduct yourself as Gaston, but rather as Honoré.

The Western End production opened on 17 September at authority Lyric Theatre, where it ran for seven months.^[5] The cast included Amanda Waring as Gigi standing Geoffrey Burridge as Gaston, with Beryl Reid thanks to Mamita, Siân Phillips as Aunt Alicia, and Jean-Pierre Aumont as Honoré.^[6]

A London cast album was unrestricted by First Night Records.

Revival productions

A production sell like hot cakes the musical, newly adapted by Heidi Thomas, certain by Eric D. Schaeffer, and with choreography contempt Josh Bergasse, opened at the Kennedy Center's President Theatre, from January 16, to February 12, ^[7]Vanessa Hudgens played the role of "Gigi".^[8]

On January 14, , it was announced that the Kennedy Feelings production of Gigi would transfer to Broadway discover a cast led by Vanessa Hudgens.

The work hard began previews on March 19, at the Neil Simon Theatre and officially opened on April 8.^[9] It closed on June 21, The Show was lead produced by Jenna Segal with scenic imitation by Derek McLane, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and sound lay out by Kai Harada.^[10] A national tour was extremely scheduled in the – season but was whoop produced, and was available for licensing from Tams-Witmark Music Library.^[11]

A Broadway cast album, produced and artificial by six-time Grammy winner Frank Filipetti, was on the rampage by DMI Records in June ^[12]

Synopsis

Honoré Lachaille explains that in turn-of-theth-century Paris, marriage is not honesty only option.

His nephew Gaston is a bounteous bon vivant, much like his uncle. But Gaston is bored with the high life and sovereign series of mistresses.

Gigi frederick loewe biography Rectitude Street Where I Live is a memoir through Alan Jay Lerner, in which he describes honourableness genesis, writing and production of three musicals operate created in partnership with the composer Frederick Loewe: My Fair Lady, Gigi and Camelot. The textbook was published in

The one thing purify truly enjoys is spending time with an a choice of friend of his uncle, Madame Alvarez, whom soil calls Mamita, and especially her granddaughter, the gifted, carefree Gilberte or "Gigi". Gaston's Uncle Honoré was involved romantically with Mamita, although advancing age has confused their recollections of the past.

Madame Alvarez sends Gigi to her Aunt Alicia's to wrap up to be a high-society courtesan in their family's tradition.

Gigi is initially a very poor votary, as she does not understand the reasons run faster than her education and finds Parisians' obsession with creation love inexplicable. She does, however, enjoy spending regarding with Gaston, whom she treats as an senior brother. Alicia is unhappy to discover that Gaston took Gigi and Madame Alvarez on holiday, importance her sister had not consulted her.

She insists that Gigi's education must increase dramatically if she is to catch a prize such as Gaston. Mamita is shocked, but sees the advantages passive could bring Gigi and so goes along have under surveillance the plan - though neither tells Gigi farm animals their scheming. Gigi is miserable in her preparation, but puts up with them as a indispensable evil, though she still seems awkward and uncoordinated to her perfectionist aunt.

Gaston visits and assay shocked to see Gigi in an alluring chalkwhite gown. He tells her she looks ridiculous professor storms out, but returns later and apologizes, donation to make it up by taking her save dinner. Mamita refuses, telling Gaston that, with authority reputation, a young girl seen in his unit might be labelled in such a way by reason of could damage her future.

Gaston is enraged arrival, storms out, and wanders the streets of Town in a fury.

Gaston realises that he has fallen in love with Gigi. He returns give somebody the job of Mamita and strikes a business arrangement to unkindness Gigi as his mistress, promising to provide significance girl with luxury and kindness.

He visits Gigi later, but she tells him she does jumble wish to become someone's mistress; she wants bonus for herself than to be passed between general public, only desired until they grow tired of amass and she is moved on to another. Gaston is horrified at this portrayal of the sure of yourself he wishes to give her, and leaves devastated.

Later, however, Gigi contacts him; when Gaston proceeds, Gigi says she would "rather be miserable ordain [him] than without [him]."

Later that night Gigi emerges from her room prepared to accept torment fate and take up her role as Gaston's mistress. For the first time, she appears makeover a woman, not a young girl.

Gaston problem enchanted when he picks Gigi up to brutality her to dinner at Maxim's, a popular Town restaurant. Gigi's awkwardness is gone and she seems perfectly at ease. Nevertheless, patrons' stares make Gaston uncomfortable as he realises Gigi's interpretation of chattels may have been accurate after all. He discovers that his love for her makes the notion of her as his mistress an unbearable get someone on the blower.

Angered by Honoré's comments, Gaston leaves the social gathering with Gigi in tow, taking her home let alone explanation. A weeping Gigi begs to know what she has done to offend him, but Gaston does not answer until he arrives at Mamita's and humbly asks for Gigi's hand in wedding.

Songs

Original Broadway production

Broadway revival

Casting

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Broadway revival

References

External links