Moulin Rouge! fans, rejoice! La Belle Epoque is coming to Broadway this month.
Eighteen years ago, one of the most beloved films of the 21st century, Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, captured the hearts of its audiences across the globe. Today, this spellbinding musical is finally gracing the glittering stage of Broadway with its glory following a record-breaking world premiere in Boston.
So whether you’re a theater geek or a simply passionate movie buff, here’s one show you will surely be captivated by. Read ahead for everything you need to know about the musical before it officially hits the Great White Way.
The Cast and Creative of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
The principal cast of the sold out Moulin Rouge! Boston premiere is reprising their roles on Broadway. Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo will play as the famed nightspot’s star courtesan Satine and Aaron Tveit as lovesick writer Christian. Both actors gained positive reviews from their initial pairing at the pre-Broadway run last summer.
Rounding out the ensemble of leads are Danny Burstein as the duplicitous Moulin Rouge impresario Harold Zidler, Tam Mutu as the predatory Duke of Monroth and Sahr Ngaujah as starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Additionally, Robyn Hurder will play as the jealous showgirl Nini and Ricky Rojas as the tango-dancing gigolo Santiago.
Directing the production is two time Tony-nominee Alex Timbers, who made a name on Broadway with hits like Beetlejuice and Peter and the Starcatcher. Justin Levine, known for his works at Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, will provide music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements. And the score includes some of the most memorable pop hits featured in the movie, along with more recent songs by artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and OutKast. As for the choreography, the central romance in Moulin Rouge! will be animated of Sonya Tayeh.
The musical is produced by Carmen Pavlovic of Global Creatures, an Australian company that made its Broadway debut with a musical adaptation of King Kong last fall.
The Spectacular Spectacular Story Line
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! is cemented into the worldwide cannon of iconic movies in history. With a promising cast featuring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, and a set which would impress even the most cynical viewer, it’s no wonder that Moulin Rouge! went on to be one of the most award-nominated movies of all time.
As in the film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical follows the story of Christian, an ambitious American-born writer who has come to Paris in the late 1900. He plans to pursue a career and become a member of the Bohemian movement there, and ends up falling hopelessly in love with Satine, a dancer and courtesan at the Moulin Rouge cabaret hall. However, she has been promised by the manager to a Duke in return for funding his next production. A love triangle ensues, as Christian and Satine try to stay together against all odds. As the young lovers meet in secret, Satine’s wedding day draws closer but she hides a fatal secret from both Christian and the Duke.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Venue
Previews begin at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, NYC on June 28th.
“We are especially delighted that the show is going to the Hirschfeld, the perfect theater for this production with its lavish architecture and rich history of landmark Broadway shows,” said producer Carmen Pavlovic on one of her interviews.
The glorious work of designer Derek Mclane sets the stage for the wildly-anticipated musical. The design features immersive artwork that spills from the stage out into the auditorium. Swathed in crimson velvet and twinkling lights, with a twirling windmill on one wall and a giant elephant torso on the other, the theater has been transformed into a sumptuous setting for romance and revelry in turn-of-the-century Paris.
“When you walk into our theatre, your mind will be blown,” promises six-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein. “The film is so theatrical, and we knew we had to create something equally good but unique to the theatre — something that has never been seen on stage. Even before the show starts, our ensemble mingles with the crowd, like eye candy. Everything is stunningly beautiful.”
What Critics Say About Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Moulin Rouge! The Musical had its sold-out premiere at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in the summer of 2018. Here’s what critics had to say about the production:
“The story’s been strengthened in this splashy production, while expectations of cinema-inspired visual splendor are met and even exceeded. As for its song score, you can forget about your so-called jukebox shows and their dozen or so standards shoved into a narrative. With 70-odd pop smashes — from Piaf to Perry, from “Lady Marmalade” to Lady Gaga — baked into its dialogue and DNA, “Moulin Rouge!” has a battery that never runs down.” – Variety (Bob Verini)
“This “Moulin Rouge!” captures the sensibility of a movie-loving movie in a theater lover’s language. The glamour is still here, but there’s a lot more grit. And we’re far more aware of the mortal flesh of the characters.” – New York Times (Ben Brantley)
“If we must have jukebox musicals, I only wish they were all as vivacious and utterly exhilarating as this. … The polish with which it is all executed makes for a breathtaking spectacle. Thanks to gorgeous performances from Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit as the unhappy lovers, it also has a heartbreaking human dimension, which echoes La Boheme in its tragic inevitability.” – The Stage UK (Mark Shenton)
“It has the splash and vigor, the color and blaze to wow an audience. Alex Timbers expertly directs the large cast and the big numbers in flawless precision. But there is still work to be done in igniting the story to match the splendid visuals.” – Cape Cod Times (Debbie Foreman)
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” John Logan’s adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 movie musical, is sensory overload, jaw-droppingly kitschy, hilarious, and vapid at the same time. … It is a barrage of amusing musical mash-ups, with a “Love Medley” that kills in the first act — and a second act that drags.” – Boston Globe (Patti Hartigan)
Tickets and Schedule
Moulin Rouge! The Musical previews begin on June 28th, 2019, with an official opening night set for July 25th. As for the tickets, price ranges from 181 to 1800 USD depending on your chosen seat. For more details about ticket availabilities, prices, and dates, click HERE for the best deals!