Gigi

Gigi is playing at the Neil Simon Theatre located at 250 West 52nd Street. The musical runs two hours thirty minutes with one intermission. It is an open ended show.

The musical is based in the 1958 movie directed by Vincent Minnelli. It starred Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold.

Catherine Zuber is the costume designer. She has won Five Tony Awards for The royal Family (2010), South Pacific (2008), The Coast of Utopia (2007), Awake & Sing! (2006), and The Light in the Piazza (2005). She has been nominated for five Tony Awards for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2011), Born Yesterday (2011), Edward Albee’s Seascape (2006), Dinner at Eight (2003) and Twelfth Night (1999).

Derek Mclane is the set designer. He won a Tony Award for 33 Variations (2009) and was nominated for three Tony Awards for Anything Goes (2011), Ragtime (2010) and Pajama Game (2006). Derek won an Emmy Award in 2014 for the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens is known for her role as Gabrielle Montez in the High School Musical series.

Victoria Clark has been nominated for a 2015 Tony Award for Gigi. She won a Tony Award for The Light In The Piazza (2005).

Howard McGillian was nominated for a Tony Award for Anything Goes (1987) and The Mystery of Edward Drood (1985).

Dee Hoty was nominated for three Tony Awards for Footloose (1998), The Best Whore house Goes Public (1994) and The Will Rogers Follies (1991).

The musical takes place in Paris in the 1900’s.

Honore (Howard McGillian) marvels about Paris and the women he has known. He won’t say how old he is. Joining him on the bench is Mamita (Victoria Clark) . They recognize each other as former lovers.

Mamita granddaughter Gigi (Vanessa Hudgens) lives with her. Gigi is young. A young man, Gaston (Corey Cott) comes to visit bringing chocolates for Gigi. He was a pupil of Mamita and is Honore son. Gaston mistress, Liane d’Exelmans (Steffanie Leigh) is going out with another man behind his back. When he finds out he decides to go away for a while.

Gigi Aunt Alicia (Dee Hoty) tells her the most important thing is to get out of a relationship is good jewelry.

When Gaston comes home, Gigi has grown up. There is an attraction between them.

Her aunt insists on a contract on what she will have during and after their relationship.

Gigi agrees because she cares for Gaston. But after their first time out she tells him she does not want to be his mistress.

What happens, go see this delightful musical.

I was surprised that Vanessa has such a beautiful voice.

Corey Cott rendition of the song Gigi is breathtaking.

Victoria Clark is outstanding in her role. One scene near the end was very touching.

It is better to have not seen the movie otherwise you will compare the two.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with cast, scroll down to the left for recent photos. Click on recent photos for this and other shows.