PROJECT DETAILS
CHOREOGRAPHER: Roman Mykyta
COMPOSER: George Gershwin
PREMIERE: July 2, 2022 | Patriotic Review, Coppermine Pantherplex, Hampstead, MD | Performed by Players on Air with guest artists from The Ballet Theatre of Maryland
CAST: 5–9 Women, 3 Men
RUN TIME: 18 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
An American in Paris is a ballet in one act inspired by the romance of travel, youth, and self-discovery. Set against the elegance and allure of Paris, the ballet follows a young American woman whose journey abroad awakens new confidence, wonder, and the possibility of unexpected love. As she is drawn into the city’s vibrant atmosphere, moments of enchantment become lasting memories that continue to shape her long after she returns home.
Celebrating the optimism and curiosity of the American spirit, the ballet explores how travel can broaden perspective, deepen emotion, and transform fleeting experiences into cherished memories. Blending classical ballet with theatrical storytelling, An American in Paris is a tribute to adventure, romance, and the enduring power of dreams.
GEORGE GERSHWIN
Drawing inspiration from George Gershwin’s celebrated symphonic poem and the broader legacy of his music, the ballet embraces the composer’s distinctive blend of American optimism and European sophistication.
BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
AN IMAGINED PARIS
Rather than depicting Paris literally, the ballet presents the city as a place of elegance, possibility, and romance, where memory and imagination become inseparable.
TRAVEL AND TRANSFORMATION
Beyond its love story, the ballet reflects on the ways travel broadens perspective, awakens confidence, and leaves lasting impressions that continue to shape our lives long after the journey ends.