An American in Paris: The Musical (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Jerry stays in Paris to rebuild his life

   Following the liberation, US Army Lieutenant Jerry Mulligan chooses to remain in Paris to pursue painting rather than catch his train home. Adam Hochberg, a fellow veteran with a permanent limp, helps him find a place to live and get started in the city. The two men form a fast friendship as they look toward a brighter future in postwar Paris.

   When

   1945

   Where

   Paris

2. 2

   Lise Dassin arrives at the ballet auditions

   Adam brings Jerry to the Paris ballet auditions where Milo Davenport, a wealthy philanthropist, is scouting potential stars. The mysterious Lise Dassin appears late but delivers a stunning audition that captures everyone's attention. Milo is immediately intrigued and the possibility of funding her season grows.

   When

   1945

   Where

   Paris ballet

3. 3

   Milo funds a new ballet and commissions works

   Impressed by Lise, Milo agrees to fund her season and commissions a score by Adam and a design by Jerry for a new ballet. He also pushes for a collaboration that would spotlight Lise as the centerpiece of the production. The project promises a fusion of French elegance and American energy.

   When

   shortly after auditions

   Where

   Paris

4. 4

   Jerry and Lise meet by the Seine; 'Liza' becomes their code

   Jerry interrupts Lise at her perfume counter to arrange a rendezvous by the Seine, where they share a moment of quiet vulnerability. They agree to meet daily, and Jerry playfully renames her 'Liza' so they can pretend they are two carefree lovers by the river. Their bond deepens as they both reveal war-haunted pasts.

   When

   evening

   Where

   Seine, Paris

5. 5

   Henri contemplates proposing; Lise's life is complicated

   Back at the Baurel home, Henri writes a letter proposing to Lise, while Lise herself pens a note to her late mother about whether to marry Henri or follow her heart. The family keeps Lise's status hidden from the ballet board to avoid charges of nepotism and ensure her future remains secure.

   When

   same period

   Where

   Baurel home / cafe

6. 6

   S'Wonderful unites the men thinking of Lise

   The trio—Adam, Jerry, and Henri—un knowingly sing about the same woman in a harmonized chorus, highlighting the tangled mix of friendship, duty, and desire. The performance underscores how love can complicate even the strongest bonds in postwar Paris. Each man cherishes Lise in his own way, though she remains unaware of their shared affection.

   When

   evening

   Where

   Café scene

7. 7

   Lise secures her prima ballerina status and faces a choice

   Lise is announced as the prima ballerina of the Théâtre du Châtelet, elevating the stakes of duty and expectations. Henri contemplates his own path abroad for an American tour, while Lise wrestles with the compromises her status imposes. She also carries a personal letter to her mother that hints at doubts about her forthcoming life with Henri.

   When

   soon after audition

   Where

   Théâtre du Châtelet

8. 8

   Shall We Dance? and Jerry's art-world excursion with Milo

   Jerry accompanies Milo to a party that turns into a guided tour of Paris's postwar art world, where gallery representatives discover his talent. Milo's mentorship grows into a romantic attachment, complicating Jerry's loyalties between Lise and his artistic ambitions. The experience accelerates Jerry's immersion in a vibrant, rebuild-everything Paris.

   When

   following week

   Where

   Milo's apartment

9. 9

   Second Rhapsody / Cuban Overture and the revelation of love

   At a costume party, Jerry and Lise glimpse each other across the room; when Lise appears with Henri, Jerry's jealousy erupts and he tears off their party masks to reveal his true feelings. He kisses Lise in front of everyone, forcing a painful confrontation about whether love can survive their tangled obligations.

   When

   during the party

   Where

   Costume party, Paris

10. 10

    Who Cares? and For You, For Me, For Evermore

    In parallel conversations, Milo and Henri ask Jerry and Lise if they have anything to confess, while they all confront the tension between personal happiness and public expectations. Jerry ends things with Milo, even as Lise admits her deep feelings for him. The group faces an emotional crossroads about love, fidelity, and duty.

    When

    post-party

    Where

    Paris

11. 11

    Stairway to Paradise and the Lise revelation

    In a Montparnasse nightclub, Henri delivers a show-stopping performance titled Stairway to Paradise while Adam urges him to remember his dream. Before the number ends, Henri reveals that Lise is his protegée and notes she owes them her safety from the occupation era. The revelation reframes all their relationships and tests their courage to choose truth over appearances.

    When

    opening night of final act

    Where

    Montparnasse nightclub

12. 12

    Opening night ballet: An American in Paris

    Adam revises the ballet score to celebrate life, and Lise delivers a luminous, dreamlike performance that imagines Jerry as her partner. The crowd roars as she transforms the stage into a celebration of love and resilience, cementing her status as a true star. The dreamlike pas de deux culminates in a triumphant finale titled An American in Paris.

    When

    opening night

    Where

    Théâtre du Châtelet Ballet

13. 13

    Resolution and the epilogue

    After the curtain, Lise confesses that she loves Jerry and decides to follow her heart. Adam realizes his love is for the light Lise brings into the world and resolves to capture her essence in his music. The three men vow to remember Lise and the profound impact she has had on their lives.

    When

    post-opening night

    Where

    Paris

14. 14

    Epilogue: By the Seine

    Jerry and Lise share one final dance by the Seine and walk into the Paris night, choosing love over duty as the city glows around them. The story closes with the memory of Lise living on in the art and hearts of those who knew her. Paris remains the stage where their lives were forever changed.

    When

    end

    Where

    Seine, Paris