Ballerina And Actress Juliet Doherty Stars In Regional Premiere Of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

Juliet Doherty, nationally-recognized dancer, film actress and "ballet goddess" according to Dance Spirit Magazine, stars as Lise in the regional premiere of An American in Paris at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, Utah. Doherty will make her Hale Centre Theatre debut on the Young Living Centre Stage, the most-technologically advanced theater-in-the-round stage in the world, February 18 - April 6, 2019.

Doherty began dancing at the young age of three at her family's dance studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She became a two-time Gold Medalist at the world's largest ballet competition, the Youth America Grand Prix, and received the Special Jury Prize at the Beijing International Ballet Competition in China. She has performed at Lincoln Center in NYC, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., toured the country with the world famous Rockettes and performed at Radio City Music Hall.

Doherty has added voice training and acting to her repertoire over the years and has become a full-fledged triple threat. She recently starred in award-winning documentaries and films including First Position, High Strung: Free Dance and Driven to Dance, currently streaming on Netflix.

"It's a dream come true to be in An American in Paris at the stunning new Hale Centre Theatre," said Doherty. "I grew up watching the Gene Kelly film and then saw the show on Broadway and have hoped to play Lise ever since. I'm inspired by her arc of growth throughout the show as she learns to come back to being herself after enduring the war. She has taught me to not let others stifle your expression."

An American in Paris takes place when World War II is ending, and every country involved is trying to come back to life. Soldiers must decide between going back home or starting anew in Europe. American GI, Jerry, decides to stay behind in Paris to become an artist and falls in love with Lise, an up-and-coming French dancer. Demonstrated through extraordinary ballet and music, the characters learn how to celebrate life and follow their dreams after surviving the war.

"When we were casting this show, I knew we needed the very best artists we could get our hands on and Juliet was the first person I thought of," said Jenny Barlow, choreographer and associate director for Hale Centre Theatre's An American in Paris. "She is a rare talent who has gracefully taken on the many challenges this show presents, especially doing ballet in the round as opposed to a traditional stage. This show is a new way for performers to do ballet and for audiences to experience ballet from all sides."

The An American in Paris stage show originated from the 1951 Academy Award-winning film inspired by George Gershwin's 1928 orchestral composition of the same name. The film starred Gene Kelly and his choreography, famously featured in the 12-minute dance number to Gershwin's music. It has since won numerous awards and is preserved on the United States Library of Congress's National Film Registry. The story was revived in 2015 when it hit the Broadway stage, followed by a U.S. national tour. The musical has since opened in France, Italy and England.

"Hale Centre Theatre is known for its high-quality shows, and having Juliet perform in a brand-new musical with us elevates this production even more," said Sally Dietlein, vice president and executive producer at Hale Centre Theatre. "She brings such excellence and beauty to her work and is not afraid to give it her all. We're honored to have Juliet here in Utah to do this very special show."

The Hale will present more than 50 consecutive performances of An American in Paris with Juliet Doherty slated for all performances excluding Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Performance times are 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and matinees Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $44 for adults and $22 for youth ages five through 17. No children under the age of five are permitted in the theater.

For ticket information call 801-984-9000, go to www.hct.org, or visit the box office at 9900 S. Monroe Street in Sandy City.

Photo Credit: Hale Centre Theatre

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