Right now the title American in An American in Paris is actually an Aussie ballet star, Dimitri Kleioris. The former Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer, who also appeared on STARZ ballet series Flesh and Bone, makes his Broadway debut in Christopher Wheeldon's Tony-nominated fusion of ballet and musical theatre. Below, Dimitri talks with BroadwayBox about his approach to Jerry, the Black Swan effect of professional ballet, and his dependence on Yelp.
1. My pre-show ritual for An American in Paris includes:
A cuppa tea whilst stretching out all the kinks.
2. Four adjectives I’d use to describe my Jerry Mulligan:
A hopeful Artist, a hopeless Romantic, a lonely soul yet free.
3. Something everyone has to do once in Australia:
Devour the food, sip the wine, and explore the beaches. Just go.
4. My motivation for leaving my Australian company and coming to the US:
Adventure and growth.
5. Three things I do to keep my body healthy and ready to dance this show:
Pilates, ballet class and acupuncture.
6. As a professional dancer, the moment in Flesh and Bone that I found to be truest:
The first scene we were all together was our first day back at work after summer break. The hours/schedule of a ballet company creates a family dynamic (good and bad).
7. The most used app on my phone is probably:
Yelp, without a doubt.
8. The biggest misconception about ballet dancers:
Well after Black Swan...nothing.
9. My favorite thing to do when I’m not dancing or performing:
Is to eat.
10. The last book, film, and TV show to rock my world were:
House of Cards (so incredibly twisted); I think the Harry Potter series will always be my no 1; and the movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Hurry to Broadway's Palace Theatre before October 9 to see Dimitri Kleioris as Jerry Mulligan in 'An American in Paris'.
