An American in Paris

Christopher Wheeldon presents his own take of the romantic encounter between a brash American painter and a lovely young Parisienne in this ballet. A large ensemble ballet interspersed with pas de deux; this sweeping panoramic piece is filled with the vibrant sounds, rhythms, and colors of urban Paris life.

The cast of 31 includes beatniks, fashion models, tourists, schoolgirls, gendarmes, and even a Tour de France bicyclist in a yellow jersey. Set designer Adrienne Lobel created backdrops inspired by Picasso and Braque that provide a skewed Cubist perspective of a "postcard" City of Lights, including stone bridges and picturesque streets, the banks of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

21 minutes