Unlike last year, I took forever getting this review out. I did want to get my once upon a time recaps out first.
So this is now being posted almost two months after I saw "Gigi" and on the same day it sadly closes. The Tony bloodbath can be awful some years.
Thank Heaven for SPOILERS!
We open in Paris, 1900. Honore Lachaille (Howard McGillin) welcomes the audience to the world of the Parisian rich, where people are constantly falling in and out of love ("Opening"). Along the way, we are introduced to Liane (Steffanie Leigh), a young woman who has a relationship with Honore's nephew. Our title character Gigi (Vanessa Hudgens) also appears, enjoying Paris in the spring. Her grandmother, Mamita (Victoria Clark), follows after her to give her the gloves she forgot. She sends Gigi onto her lessons with her Aunt Alicia.
Mamita then runs into Honore and it's clear the two have a history. When his nephew, Gaston (Corey Cott) arrives, it is clear he knows Mamita too. He tells Honore that Mamita taught him calligraphy and is a good friend of his. Honore confirms that he knows Mamita in a more intimate way. He then gives Gaston the note from Liane and asks his nephew where he's been. Gaston says he's been at the Expo, looking at all the new inventions. He talks about a man who wants to put an internal combustion engine in a balloon but Honore dismisses it. Honore feels Gaston should focus more on his love affairs like the other Parisians but Gaston disagrees ("It's a Bore").
Gigi arrives at her Aunt Alicia's (Dee Hoty), ready for her lessons on how to be a proper lady. Or rather a proper mistress. Which apparently means being able to distinguish how valuable the jewelry a lover may give as it's indicative of how much he loves her. Gigi thinks this is all nonsense and not love at all. Aunt Alicia decides she has a headache and storms off, while Gigi has time to muse on what the people of Paris call "love" ("The Parisians"). She ends up running into Gaston and the two bond about how they don't understand the ways of the previous generation. He then offers to take her home as long as she doesn't mind picking up Liane from her singing lesson.
Liane practices her song ("A Toujours") while her singing instructor sneaks in a few kisses. They are startled by the arrival of Gaston and Gigi, but it cover it. Or at least enough that Gaston doesn't think anything has happened. Gigi's pretty certain they were doing more than just practicing singing but Gaston dismisses her as the thoughts of an imaginative girl who doesn't know how love works in his ring of society.
Gaston brings Gigi home and gifts her with an invention that will show moving pictures. Except he's horrified to learn the man gave him rather...naughty...pictures. Gaston, Mamita and Gigi have a pleasant afternoon together otherwise before he has to go and be scene in society, something he loathes. Gigi teases him about how the magazines follow his every movement but admits she loves to read them anyway.
Honore shows up at Maxim's, the hottest spot in Paris, to spend time with his latest lady love. Everyone who is everyone is there and they talk about each other ("The Gossips"). Liane is there with another man and Gaston spots her when he shows up. He realizes Liane doesn't love him the way he wants to be loved ("She is Not Thinking of Me"). Gaston dumps Liane right then and there, not even caring when she passes out on the floor. (Mostly because he knows it's all an act).
The next day, Mamita sends Gigi on an errand in order to talk with Alicia. They discuss Liane's "suicide"--really just an attempt to get Gaston's attention. apparently, it's very common in their society to do this. Alicia is excited and wants to increase Gigi's lessons with her. Mamita is suspicious and Alicia confesses that she wants to position Gigi to be Gaston's new mistress. Her sister is against it, not wanting her granddaughter to grow up to fast or be subject to that world. She and Alicia both lived in it and both have different feelings about it. They sing an ode to girls ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls")--Mamita extolling their innocence and Alicia extolling their affect on men. In the end, Mamita agrees to more lessons but refuses to let Alicia pair Gigi up with Gaston.
Meanwhile, Gaston re-enters society as a single man. He goes to ball after ball, watching Liane flirt her way across the stage ("Paris is Paris Again"). Gigi follows it all in the magazines she loves to read. Gaston is miserable.
During all of this, Honore and Mamita reconnect. They recall their own doomed relationship, which ended when Mamita caught him with another woman. Honore admits that she was the only woman he had ever considered settling down with but they agree their lives took them in directions they don't regret. They recall their last night together, though Honore has some memory issues ("I Remember It Well").
Gaston pays a visit to Mamita and agrees to blow off his dinner to spend the evening with her and Gigi. He agrees to play a game with Gigi, though he notes she tends to cheat. Gigi asks him to take her to Trouville with him. When she wins, he agrees to uphold the stakes and the three of them share champagne ("The Night They Invented Champagne").
Intermission.
Gaston, Mamita and Gigi enjoy Trouville ("I Never Want to Go Home Again"). Gigi and Gaston bond at the beach, talking about their dreams. Gigi correctly points out that Gaston can actually achieve his dreams because he is rich and a man. So he decides to go and learn more about the flying machines people have been trying to invent.
Mamita and Gigi return to Paris, where Alicia continues to push her sister to let her train Gigi to be Gaston's newest mistress. At last, Mamita agrees--on the condition that Alicia stops the minute Gigi says she doesn't want that kind of life. Alicia is downright giddy ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls (Reprise)").
Gigi is in her glory. She's gotten a serious wardrobe upgrade and she finally manages to pour coffee without scalding anyone. The little spitfire has turned into a refined lady...without losing her spark though. When Gaston pays them a visit, Gigi is eager to show off her new dress for him. Gaston insults her and she argues back until he leaves. Gigi goes off for a cry and Mamita has no clue what's happened.
Gaston rants about Gigi and how she's still nothing more than an impudent child ("Gaston's Soliloquy"). But he realizes that, no, she's grown up while he's away. That she's now a beautiful woman and someone he wants to spend his life with, having always enjoyed her company ("Gigi"). So he returns to Mamita's and asks to take Gigi out to dinner. Mamita sends Gigi away and tells Gaston it's time to bring in the lawyers. He understands and hands her a card.
A small army of lawyers show up at Alicia's mansion. They present Gaston's offer to Gigi--a house, servants, and the like. Alicia counteroffers, both being selfish yet wise. She is doing what women can do to secure a future in a world where men hold most of the power ("The Contract"). In the end, the lawyers cave to her and Gigi looks set for the rest of her life.
Gaston shows up at Mamita's for his first date with Gigi. She comes out and asks to speak with Gaston in private. Gigi makes it clear that she's not happy with the arrangement. That she doesn't want to be his kept woman and wants more from life than that. Gaston tries to tell her that she's not some dalliance but they end up arguing. He storms out and Gigi tells Mamita she doesn't want it.
Aunt Alicia is angry that Gigi threw Gaston away. Mamita is just sorry that she did something that could've made her granddaughter unhappy. Alicia is certain the situation can be rectified but Mamita puts a stop to her sister's scheming. She then runs into Honore on her way home and he tells her that Gaston is heartbroken. He and Mamita talk about how glad they are that they aren't young anymore ("I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore").
Gigi though finds herself missing Gaston and she writes a letter telling him her feelings. She's still not happy with the arrangement, but she can't think of him being with another woman. So she'll take him on his terms ("The Letter").
Aunt Alicia is over the moon and she comes over to see Gigi off on her first date with Gaston. Mamita is not certain but Gaston promises to take care of her. Gigi hugs her grandmother and asks her to pray for her. Once Gigi and Gaston leave, Mamita does just that ("Say a Prayer").
At Maxim's, everyone is all abuzz about Gaston and Gigi ("The Parisians (Reprise)"). It gets juicier when Liane shows up and tries to pretend she's not upset to see Gigi and Gaston there. Gaston gives Gigi a bracelet but soon all the attention gets to her. She apologizes to Gaston and runs out of Maxim's.
Gaston gives chase and catches up with her. Gigi cries, saying she thought she could do it but she can't. She'll be miserable with or without him, but at least she'll have her life. Gaston says he doesn't want to live without her as well and asks her to marry him. After realizing that this is actually happening, Gigi accepts. They kiss and celebrate. It also seems Honore and Mamita reconcile so happy endings all around! ("In This Wide, Wide World").
It's a shame Gigi is closing. I enjoyed it very much. Hudgens was bright and bubbly, giving Gigi both an innocence and a spunk that served her well. Cott was a decent enough leading man but McGillan was utilized far too little for my liking. Leigh and Hoty shone in every scene they were in as well.
But Clark stole the show. Her rendition of "Say a Prayer" was a great example of "showstopper." As I was leaving, a gentleman was explaining the changes made from the movie to the show. He noted that "Say a Prayer" was originally sung by Gigi but he wasn't complaining that they gave it to Clark. It's no wonder she walked away with the show's only nomination.
So, au revoir, Gigi. You were good while you lasted.
Gigi arrives at her Aunt Alicia's (Dee Hoty), ready for her lessons on how to be a proper lady. Or rather a proper mistress. Which apparently means being able to distinguish how valuable the jewelry a lover may give as it's indicative of how much he loves her. Gigi thinks this is all nonsense and not love at all. Aunt Alicia decides she has a headache and storms off, while Gigi has time to muse on what the people of Paris call "love" ("The Parisians"). She ends up running into Gaston and the two bond about how they don't understand the ways of the previous generation. He then offers to take her home as long as she doesn't mind picking up Liane from her singing lesson.
Liane practices her song ("A Toujours") while her singing instructor sneaks in a few kisses. They are startled by the arrival of Gaston and Gigi, but it cover it. Or at least enough that Gaston doesn't think anything has happened. Gigi's pretty certain they were doing more than just practicing singing but Gaston dismisses her as the thoughts of an imaginative girl who doesn't know how love works in his ring of society.
Gaston brings Gigi home and gifts her with an invention that will show moving pictures. Except he's horrified to learn the man gave him rather...naughty...pictures. Gaston, Mamita and Gigi have a pleasant afternoon together otherwise before he has to go and be scene in society, something he loathes. Gigi teases him about how the magazines follow his every movement but admits she loves to read them anyway.
Honore shows up at Maxim's, the hottest spot in Paris, to spend time with his latest lady love. Everyone who is everyone is there and they talk about each other ("The Gossips"). Liane is there with another man and Gaston spots her when he shows up. He realizes Liane doesn't love him the way he wants to be loved ("She is Not Thinking of Me"). Gaston dumps Liane right then and there, not even caring when she passes out on the floor. (Mostly because he knows it's all an act).
The next day, Mamita sends Gigi on an errand in order to talk with Alicia. They discuss Liane's "suicide"--really just an attempt to get Gaston's attention. apparently, it's very common in their society to do this. Alicia is excited and wants to increase Gigi's lessons with her. Mamita is suspicious and Alicia confesses that she wants to position Gigi to be Gaston's new mistress. Her sister is against it, not wanting her granddaughter to grow up to fast or be subject to that world. She and Alicia both lived in it and both have different feelings about it. They sing an ode to girls ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls")--Mamita extolling their innocence and Alicia extolling their affect on men. In the end, Mamita agrees to more lessons but refuses to let Alicia pair Gigi up with Gaston.
Meanwhile, Gaston re-enters society as a single man. He goes to ball after ball, watching Liane flirt her way across the stage ("Paris is Paris Again"). Gigi follows it all in the magazines she loves to read. Gaston is miserable.
During all of this, Honore and Mamita reconnect. They recall their own doomed relationship, which ended when Mamita caught him with another woman. Honore admits that she was the only woman he had ever considered settling down with but they agree their lives took them in directions they don't regret. They recall their last night together, though Honore has some memory issues ("I Remember It Well").
Gaston pays a visit to Mamita and agrees to blow off his dinner to spend the evening with her and Gigi. He agrees to play a game with Gigi, though he notes she tends to cheat. Gigi asks him to take her to Trouville with him. When she wins, he agrees to uphold the stakes and the three of them share champagne ("The Night They Invented Champagne").
Intermission.
Gaston, Mamita and Gigi enjoy Trouville ("I Never Want to Go Home Again"). Gigi and Gaston bond at the beach, talking about their dreams. Gigi correctly points out that Gaston can actually achieve his dreams because he is rich and a man. So he decides to go and learn more about the flying machines people have been trying to invent.
Mamita and Gigi return to Paris, where Alicia continues to push her sister to let her train Gigi to be Gaston's newest mistress. At last, Mamita agrees--on the condition that Alicia stops the minute Gigi says she doesn't want that kind of life. Alicia is downright giddy ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls (Reprise)").
Gigi is in her glory. She's gotten a serious wardrobe upgrade and she finally manages to pour coffee without scalding anyone. The little spitfire has turned into a refined lady...without losing her spark though. When Gaston pays them a visit, Gigi is eager to show off her new dress for him. Gaston insults her and she argues back until he leaves. Gigi goes off for a cry and Mamita has no clue what's happened.
Gaston rants about Gigi and how she's still nothing more than an impudent child ("Gaston's Soliloquy"). But he realizes that, no, she's grown up while he's away. That she's now a beautiful woman and someone he wants to spend his life with, having always enjoyed her company ("Gigi"). So he returns to Mamita's and asks to take Gigi out to dinner. Mamita sends Gigi away and tells Gaston it's time to bring in the lawyers. He understands and hands her a card.
A small army of lawyers show up at Alicia's mansion. They present Gaston's offer to Gigi--a house, servants, and the like. Alicia counteroffers, both being selfish yet wise. She is doing what women can do to secure a future in a world where men hold most of the power ("The Contract"). In the end, the lawyers cave to her and Gigi looks set for the rest of her life.
Gaston shows up at Mamita's for his first date with Gigi. She comes out and asks to speak with Gaston in private. Gigi makes it clear that she's not happy with the arrangement. That she doesn't want to be his kept woman and wants more from life than that. Gaston tries to tell her that she's not some dalliance but they end up arguing. He storms out and Gigi tells Mamita she doesn't want it.
Aunt Alicia is angry that Gigi threw Gaston away. Mamita is just sorry that she did something that could've made her granddaughter unhappy. Alicia is certain the situation can be rectified but Mamita puts a stop to her sister's scheming. She then runs into Honore on her way home and he tells her that Gaston is heartbroken. He and Mamita talk about how glad they are that they aren't young anymore ("I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore").
Gigi though finds herself missing Gaston and she writes a letter telling him her feelings. She's still not happy with the arrangement, but she can't think of him being with another woman. So she'll take him on his terms ("The Letter").
Aunt Alicia is over the moon and she comes over to see Gigi off on her first date with Gaston. Mamita is not certain but Gaston promises to take care of her. Gigi hugs her grandmother and asks her to pray for her. Once Gigi and Gaston leave, Mamita does just that ("Say a Prayer").
At Maxim's, everyone is all abuzz about Gaston and Gigi ("The Parisians (Reprise)"). It gets juicier when Liane shows up and tries to pretend she's not upset to see Gigi and Gaston there. Gaston gives Gigi a bracelet but soon all the attention gets to her. She apologizes to Gaston and runs out of Maxim's.
Gaston gives chase and catches up with her. Gigi cries, saying she thought she could do it but she can't. She'll be miserable with or without him, but at least she'll have her life. Gaston says he doesn't want to live without her as well and asks her to marry him. After realizing that this is actually happening, Gigi accepts. They kiss and celebrate. It also seems Honore and Mamita reconcile so happy endings all around! ("In This Wide, Wide World").
It's a shame Gigi is closing. I enjoyed it very much. Hudgens was bright and bubbly, giving Gigi both an innocence and a spunk that served her well. Cott was a decent enough leading man but McGillan was utilized far too little for my liking. Leigh and Hoty shone in every scene they were in as well.
But Clark stole the show. Her rendition of "Say a Prayer" was a great example of "showstopper." As I was leaving, a gentleman was explaining the changes made from the movie to the show. He noted that "Say a Prayer" was originally sung by Gigi but he wasn't complaining that they gave it to Clark. It's no wonder she walked away with the show's only nomination.
So, au revoir, Gigi. You were good while you lasted.
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