They say times are hard for dreamers but they are not for Amelie– headed to Broadway in early March, the new musical brings whimsical Paris to the New York stage after a year and a half of off-Broadway performances. Although previews begin March 9 at the Walter Kerr theater, Amelie ran at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theater for a limited engagement– one of which I had the pleasure of attending.

Amelie, inspired by the 2001 film of the same name (dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet), follows the life of Amelie Poulain, waitress and Parisian do-gooder who finds a passion in anonymously bettering the lives of everyone around her. Phillipa Soo, fresh off of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton, brings this French heroine to life before the audience’s very eyes: quirky and sweet, she harmonizes her way through Amelie’s adventures without missing a beat. As a huge fan of Soo’s work in both Hamilton and Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, I was besides myself to experience her newest endeavor first hand. Amelie allows Soo’s ability as both actress and singer to literally take center stage as she leads the audience through the company’s mischief.

The musical itself is very reminiscent of its film counterpart. Sticking incredibly close to the original plot, Amelie implements the film’s bright color scheme as to create a feast for the eyes. From the costumes to the set, every aspect of the show relies on the welcoming palette of reds, blues, purples and greens. The show also remains true to the film’s poignant themes of adventure and love, both of which stayed with me long after curtain call. Heart-warming and comical, Amelie is sure to charm Broadway audiences regardless of whether or not they have seen the 2001 movie.

 
A new addition to Broadway’s spring lineup, Amelie: A New Musical opens alongside current productions such as Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, Hamilton, and Wicked.