Of course in Paris, too.
By Joanna Syiek (Director/Producer/Blogger)
Just over a week ago I got to fulfill Life Goal Number #37: See a Sondheim musical at Théâtre du Châtelet. It's one of Paris' largest theatres, whose Artistic Director, Jean-Luc Choplin, decided that Paris deserved an introduction to Mr. Sondheim. I loved his mission of creating a taste for someone whose name we consider synonymous with musical theatre in France. He faced harsh criticism when he first announced his mission to bring the American "comedie musicale" to the stage in Paris. Many deemed it impossible - saying others had failed miserably before - to make the musical something Parisians would love.
But Choplin's commitment to make the theatre more accessible to a wide variety of audiences meant taking risks, and trying something new. And so with that, he introduced a program of essentially one Sondheim work per year. Each show has garnered more and more acclaim for the theatre and now he's seen as a visionary who was able to treat staple pieces of American musical theatre as high art. This loving touch has paid off in the theatre's programming. Sweeney Todd was an immense hit and went on to the UK after its Paris run. Last year's American in Paris went on to win 4 Tony Awards on Broadway. This year's production of Singin' in the Rain will also be heading over to New York shortly.
And when it came to how the theatre handled Passion, I can easily say that they truly elevated the piece to that level of high art. Each scene was meticulously designed and directed. And though I worried about such a large theatre swallowing such an intimate piece, the show blossomed in the space.
The theatre will start undergoing renovations at the end of this current season, so run on over if you want to try to make it to a show. Otherwise, hats off to people taking risks in the theatre, particularly on the international level. Choplin, you've given Paris a gift with your vision. Sondheim, thanks for writing a gorgeous show.
JOANNA SYIEK is currently an American in Paris with a penchant for original theatre work, clean graphic design, and really good Indian food. She directs around the City of Angels and writes about nourishing creativity, Broadway favorites, and talent obsessions over on her blogging home. www.thoughtsontheatre.wordpress.com
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