December 21, 2023
Review: On Tour, a Spectacular 'Moulin Rouge!'
Will Demers READ TIME: 3 MIN.
"Moulin Rouge!" premiered at the Cannes film festival in 2001, and was nominated for eight Oscars, eventually winning two. The Baz Luhrmann ("Romeo + Juliet" "Great Gatsby") helmed film, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, was a smash, grossing nearly $180m in the United States alone.
Luhrmann's source is Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Bohème," which he directed on stage in Australia and on Broadway, but he was influenced in the film's opulent style by Bollywood films, as well as Hollywood musicals, such "Cabaret."
Set at the tail end of the 19th century, the story followed the romance between Satine, a doomed cabaret singer, and Christian, an impoverished English writer new to the bohemian enclave Montmartre. Complicating matters is Harold Zidler, the proprietor of the theater where Satine works, wants her to seduce the wealthy Duke of Monroth to help finance his floundering business. A classic love triangle ensues, with tragic results.
"Moulin Rouge! The Musical" follows the same premise with Christian (Christian Douglas, looking very much the part) as the now American composer and Satine (Gabrielle McClinton, Broadway's "Paradise Square" and a dazzling vocal talent) as the chronically ill performer. Robert Petkoff, (delightful theatrical) plays the proprietor and the very attractive Andrew Brewer is the Duke of Monroth, the villain. And as Christian's new friends in Paris, Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and Santiago (Danny Burgos.)
The creative team, which included playwright/filmmaker John Logan's book (Tony nomination), director Alex Timbers (Tony win), and choreographer Sonya Tayeh (Tony win), seamlessly bring Luhrmann's cinematic vision to the stage. Adding to the show's high pedigree is Derek McLane's set design (Tony win), s Cathering Zuber's costumes (Tony win) and theincredible lighting by Justin Townsend (Tony win).
As in the film, the musical integrates contemporary pop music, even songs released since the film's premiere 22 years ago, into the narrative. The creators seamlessly weave these modern songs, which include titles from Lady Gaga, Pink and the Rolling Stones, into its 19th century setting. One cannot help but be caught up in the nostalgia when characters sing a familiar earworm.
It is easy to understand why"Moulin Rouge! The Musical" was so sensationally received when it premiered, first in Boston and then New York, in 2019. It is an inspired musical given a theatrically rich production. It draws you in even before it starts with its elaborate (and very red) production elements, including its title in neon. Even then, dancers dressed in fantastically sexy outfits tease what's to come. Then from the opening number ("Lady Marmalade) to its closing encore, it is impossible to take your eyes away from the stage.
Both Douglas and McClinton are fabulous, with Petkoff fantastically over the top in a highly theatrical performance. The rest of the cast capture the musical's splashy, bombastic style, , especially the Bob Fosse-inspired choreography that evokes European cabarets of the past century. It's a visual feast with music that everyone in your party will recognize no matter what their age. The fun starts while finding your seats, and it never lets up until you're out in the real world again. "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" truly celebrates the colors and sounds of life and love in a spectacular fashion.
"Moulin Rouge! The Musical" runs through December 31 with a break for Christmas Eve and Day at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. For information or tickets call 401-421-2787 or visit www.ppacri.org.
