After the release of Baz Luhrmann’s romantic-musical-drama Moulin Rouge! in 2001, many have speculated when the Oscar-winning movie would get adapted for the Broadway stage. Numerous rumors over the years pointed to an eventual stage version, but nothing materialized till this year. The upcoming production has finished casting and is set for a limited test-run at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre for 36 performances (from June 27-August 5, 2018) until finally marking its Broadway debut in the last quarter of the year!
Produced by Global Creatures and directed by Bloody Bloody Adndrew Jackson director Alex Timbers, the musical has a book by John Logan (who penned such films like The Aviator and Best Picture-winning Gladiator). The producers are pulling out all the stops for this one. Sonya Tayeh has been commissioned as choreographer, Justin Levine is Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger. Lastly, Matt Stine has come on board as Music Producers.
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The 2001 film follows a young English writer named Christian (originally played by Ewan McGregor) who comes to the Montmartre District of Paris in the turn of the century to join the Bohemian Revolution. At the center of the village is the Moulin Rouge! nightclub, a house of entertainment and sin, where he meets the beauty courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman) and falls in love with her. As Christian prepares to write a show called Spectacular Spectacular for Satine and the rest of the Moulin Rouge can-can dancers, their relationship develops into a love for the ages. But what happens with the club’s patron, the powerful Duke learns of their romance (who also happens to be in love with Satine)? “Jealously will drive him mad,” as they repeat throughout the screenplay.
The narrative is accompanied by a soundtrack of famous songs from the last 50 years, including Elton John’s Your Song, David Bowie’s Nature Boy, the theme song from The Sound of Music, sexy anthem Lady Marmalade, Madonna’s Like a Virgin, Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, The Police’s Roxanne (which was transformed into a seductive tango), Queen’s The Show Must Go On, and many, many more. A personal favorite includes the Elephant Love Medley, which cleverly incorporates dozens of love songs from the last few decades.
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West Side Story Tony-winner Karen Olivo (who I was lucky to see in New York—she was amazing as Anita) takes on the role of the Kidman’s Sparkling Diamond, with Aaron Tviet (of Les Miserables movie fame) stepping into the shoes of Christian. Six-time Tony winner Danny Burnstein has also been casted as Harold Zidler, the nightclub’s owner and ring master.
To get you excited (and we suggest you book your tickets as soon as they’re on sale, because they’re expected to sell out at sky high prices), see this recent music video released of Aaron Tviet singing the iconic Come What May love theme from the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFay0SVFxVI
