The Musical Theater Dork's Guide to Paris
Perhaps your only idea of Paris is that it's nice in the springtime and that "in the rain the pavement shines like silver." Or perhaps you've already hung out "here in the slums of St Michel" and "on an island in the river." Whether you're a Paris newbie or an old hand, just for you, O Musical Theater Maven, we've mapped the most musically memorable spots in the city. The only rule is that the source musical has to have played on Broadway (thus the distinction between Musical Theater and Musical Comedy, which is an important one). If we've missed any, let us know, and we'll do a follow-up. (If you're looking for An American in Paris on the list, we already covered it here.)
Phantom of the Opera
Place de l'Opéra
ce de l'Opéra, 75009 9ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
[link]
Les Misérables
1, Boulevard Saint-Michel
75005 5ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
[link]
Gigi
Maxim's, 3, Rue Royale 75008 Paris
Gigi is by no means the only musical to be set in Maxim's, but the 1958 film adaptation, directed by Vincente Minnelli, is by far the most memorable. Cecil Beaton, who … costumed the film, and apparently meddled in the set decor as well, restored Maxim's to its Belle Epoque beauty. But the many Art Nouveau mirrors revealed the cameras and crew, so Minnelli had small lightbulbs placed under each actors' chin, and somehow this helped. You'll recall Maxim's from the waltz near the end of the film; in the stage version of the musical, a can-can takes place here as well. [link]
Fifty Million Frenchmen
American Express, 11, rue Scribe, 75009 Paris, France
. . . can't be wrong" goes the song that this 1929 musical is based on. This comedy mocks Americans living in Paris (yes, the ones who scribbled in cafés) but favorably … compares the atmosphere in France in the 1920s with the one back home in Prohibition-era America. "You come to Paris/You come to play/You have a wonderful time" pretty much sums the thing up. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, this show was a big hit in its day, even if it is little known now. Head over to the American Express office, where the musical's hero gets a job as a tour guide, showing all manner of stereotypical Americans around Paris. [link]
Can-Can
Parvis du Sacré Coeur
75018 18ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
For a moment, forget La Môme Piaf, and imagine La Môme Pistache: she was played by French actress Lilo, and she loved Paris in the Springtime. Set in 1893, the poor … girl has to fight to keep her precious Bal du Paradis, a Montmartre can-can hall, from being closed down for indecency. She and the investigating judge of course fall in love and everyone goes home happy. This score by Cole Porter features the hyper-famous "I Love Paris" and the less well-known classics "C'est Magnifique" and "Allez-Vous-en," a stirring "Can-Can," and an ode to Absinthe. Gwen Verdon made her Broadway debut in the role of Claudine. Pistache sings "I Love Paris" from a lofty height in Montmartre while looking out over the rooftops of the city -- so we're sending you to the Parvis du Sacré Coeur to do the same. [link]
