Swarovski Brings Sparkling Glamour to Lavish New Production of Gigi Now in Pre-Broadway Run at the Kennedy Center

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Jan 28, 2015, 11:39 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Swarovski has added its trademark glamour and sparkle to the gloriously reimagined production of Lerner and Loewe's acclaimed musical romantic comedy 'Gigi', currently playing a limited engagement at the Eisenhower Theatre at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, prior to opening on Broadway this spring.

SWAROVSKI BRINGS SPARKLING GLAMOUR TO LAVISH NEW PRODUCTION OF GIGI Photography Credit: Joan Marcus

Directed by Eric Schaeffer, choreographed by Joshua Bergasse and adapted by Heidi Thomas, the lavish production stars Vanessa Hudgens in the title role as a free-spirited young woman living in fin de siecle Paris who sets out to find her true self…and her true love.

Swarovski worked with five-time Tony Award®-winning costume designer Catherine Zuber to capture the opulent world of La Belle Epoque Paris, where fashion, glamour, and passion prevail. She included more than 230,000 crystals from Swarovski in 62 different cuts and 24 different colors ranging from clear and jet crystal to fuchsias, purples and blues.

Catherine Zuber said: "Through the course of the musical, there is a shift in the fashion of the time and the silhouette changes from old-fashioned to a more modern silhouette. The crystals have a random energy and don't have to be applied with precision. My favorite way to use crystal is to scatter them so they have this very modern energy and add the finishing touches to elevating the costumes to a new level. We see the full impact when we are on stage under lights. We can really see how beautifully they reflect."

Vanessa Hudgens commented: "Swarovski crystals always add so much to costumes. Being on stage and having the lights shine makes the costumes sparkle. They really pop and stand out. Crystals add dimension and that certain special touch that makes everything look so glamorous and beautiful. There was a regal quality that comes with the era and it takes a really special person to dream it all up and create the amazing costumes as Catherine did."

Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: "Swarovski is delighted to work with Catherine Zuber to add glamour, light and energy to this brilliantly re-imagined production of 'Gigi'. Vanessa shines in this iconic role, and we look forward to her bringing the wonderful songs and inimitable style of 'Gigi' back to Broadway for the first time in over 40 years.

'Gigi,' the Oscar® and Tony Award® winning musical, is based on the 1944 novel by Colette, and features glorious songs such as "Thank Heaven for Little Girls," "I Remember It Well" and "The Night They Invented Champagne". It was first adapted for the Broadway stage in 1951 by Anita Loos with an unknown Audrey Hepburn in the title role, and its 1958 screen adaptation starring Leslie Caron in the title role alongside Louis Jourdan and Maurice Chevalier, won nine Academy Awards®, including Best Picture

'Gigi' is currently previewing at The Kennedy Center. For tickets please visit the Kennedy Center website or call (800)444-1324.

'Gigi' previews on Broadway from March 19 and will have its official opening night on April 8 at the Neil Simon Theater (250 West 52^nd Street). For more information, please visit GigiOnBroadway.com.

Visit www.swarovskigroup.com to view exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the costumes.

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Swarovski

Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity that goes beyond the manufacturing of crystal. Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski designs, manufactures, and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones, and finished products such as jewelry, accessories, and lighting. In addition, Swarovski Crystal Worlds was established as a unique venue dedicated to showcasing artistic interpretations of crystal. Swarovski Entertainment collaborates with established industry partners and exceptional talent to produce international feature films, while the Swarovski Foundation supports creativity and culture, promotes wellbeing, and conserves natural resources. Now run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,480 stores in around 170 countries, more than 24,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.33 billion euros in 2013. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2013, the Group generated revenue of about 3.02 billion euros and employed more than 30,000 people.

Gigi

Gigi runs January 16 to February 12 at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Additional matinee performances will take place on February 11 and 12 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $45 and are currently on sale. For more information please visit the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or call (202)467-4600 or (800) 444-1324

Gigi will open on Broadway on Wednesday, April 8 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Previews will begin on Thursday, March 19. For tickets and performance times, please visit gigionbroadway.com for more information.

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SOURCE Swarovski North America