What is light without darkness? Happiness without pain? Can you experience the true joy of love if you also don’t know the power of loss? And most importantly, what’s the cost of freedom? It’s these questions that percolate through Moulin Rouge! The Musical in an epic love story that is nearly impossible not to fall deeply into. The show has life both on Broadway, having just celebrated five years at the Al Hirschfeld Theater, and on its North American Tour, which has just arrived at the Detroit Opera House last week. This show officially kicks off the newest Broadway in Detroit season!
Set at the end of the 19th century, Moulin Rouge! The Musical explores these timeless classics throughout Paris with modern music that most will know instantaneously. Based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film of the same name and with a book by John Logan, this retelling expands on the ideas introduced in the movie, with some changes to the music presented and some updates to the story.
Do all of these changes work well with what the original film brought to the silver screen, or does it fight against the messages of truth, beauty, freedom, and love? It may depend on whom you ask, as those that are looking for a straight adaption of the film might be disappointed. But if you’re looking for a show-stopping, jaw-dropping, story of love, then Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the perfect night out at the theater for you!
[Warning: Spoilers from Moulin Rouge! The Musical are below!]
Mistaken identities and forbidden love in Moulin Rouge! the Musical
Christian (Christian Douglas) is a dreamer; there’s no denying that. Leaving his life in Lima, Ohio, he sets off to find his next adventure in Paris. He’s a songwriter and poet with his words, doing the absolute most to pursue his passions. Understand that this is 1899, and not much was happening in Lima, Ohio, at the time (mainly because Glee wasn’t even a thought for another 100 years and some change); in a place where dreams go to die, obviously, Christian needs out before it’s too late.
When the story of Moulin Rouge! The Musical begins after the introductory number led by club owner Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff), we find Christian walking the streets, not knowing his life is about to be changed forever. Cue Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and his fellow bohemian Santiago (Danny Burgos). This duo is also doing their best to achieve their dreams, but it isn’t until their paths cross with Christian that it seems even possible. All three bring something to the table, completing a trifecta of talent that will finally achieve recognition.
Perhaps by working together, they can sell a show to the Moulin Rouge and become stars in their own rights. How exactly are they to pitch their ideas to the club and, more specifically, its owner? Through Moulin Rouge’s Diamond, the beautiful and incomparable Satine (Gabrielle McClinton), that’s how. On the night that the trio arrives to the Moulin Rouge, there are other plans in motion, which will ultimately save the club.
It’s up to Satine to charm The Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer) and get him to invest in the club. Without his money, the Moulin Rouge is done for. However, in the hustle and bustle of the extravagant going-ons of the club, she mistakes Christian for the Duke, beginning a dangerous love triangle. Can Satine save the club and herself, or does love have another fate in store for her? All those answers and more lie within the shining doors of the Moulin Rouge!
Balancing tones showcase the beauty of life in this stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s film
What’s perhaps most interesting about Moulin Rouge! The Musical is similar to the film, yet it is entirely different. The story itself is very much intact, but specific beats in the stage adaptation are distinct from its predecessor, such as the characterization of Satine. In the film, she’s a passive participant in her life, with things happening to her, and she has little power to influence those around her. However, in the stage musical, she finds a strength that her film counterpart lacks, which pushes the action of Act 2.
She gains strength in her demise, knowing that no one can control her, and that truly is what brings her freedom. At that point, she does what she wants: to bring Christian’s work to the world, her final act being one of love. She truly embodies the bohemian lifestyle in that moment, which is one of the beautiful moments of the show. This change sets Satine and the musical apart from what came before, which definitely seemed to upset some of the patrons around us. This clearly wasn’t an exact copy of the movie and should be enjoyed and respected as a different entity.
There’s also the change to The Duke, who doesn’t appear as villainous in the first act as he does in the film. This could be because of the lack of age difference between him and Satine, played up more in the movie. Whatever the reasoning, The Duke is much more sympathetic of a character, even though he is a prick in the way that children who grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths sometimes are. In fact, as my cohost and I discussed in the Moulin Rouge! The Musical podcast review, there’s an argument to be made that Zidler is the true villain of the show, pushing Satine and using her to his advantage.
What the film holds true to is the balance of tones, which easily volleys between the dark and the light. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a tragedy at its core, wrapped in the package of a love story. People attending the tale look for the romance between Satine and Christian, which is absolutely a driving factor of both the musical and the film. However, the story is just as much about grief and loss and how that is just as beautiful as loving someone.
The musical uses the music to move between different tones, as audiences are bounced between the bright lights of the Moulin Rouge, which is almost always a party in its own right, to the dark and dingy world of the streets of Paris. Viewers get to see it all; we see the highs and lows of these characters as they attempt to live. Many of these characters do not thrive, as they are just trying to survive in a world with their beliefs intact. Some compromise those, such as Satine with her desire to get out of the world of the Moulin Rouge, but most remain true to themselves in the end. It’s this dance between the different tones that makes this show so intoxicating because it is something that isn’t usually seen done well.
Changing casts and some technical issues in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Something unique about this musical’s time in Detroit is that we saw some cast changes halfway through its tenure. The most significant change was that of Satine, who changed from McClinton to Arianna Rosario. It’s no hyperbole when I say that seeing both of these actresses in the role absolutely changed the show.
McClinton’s Satine had a deeper and richer voice, giving the character a certain gravitas. When she found her strength at the show’s end, you believed it because her voice backed it up. She was more confident of a character, as McClinton put her own spin on this well-known character. Her performance lacked the unsureness that is almost inherent in Satine throughout the first act. She almost didn’t feel like a pawn in someone else’s game because, for all intents and purposes, she wasn’t. McClinton gave Satine autonomy in a world that didn’t allow for that.
Arianna Rosario’s Satine was much more in line with that of the film, with an airy and almost otherworldly voice, which added to the sexiness and weakness of the character. Rosario played the role of someone who had confidence in who she was but also knew there wasn’t room for anything else in the world. She’s aware of the role she has to play and doesn’t stray from that in the slightest. Rosario’s singing was precisely what I wanted for the character, and I’m so excited for those who get to see her in the role because her performance and singing push this show into something magical.
McClinton and Rosario’s work isn’t the only magical part of the show; almost the entire cast creates something special on stage. Moulin Rouge! The Musical would be nothing with Christian, who serves as narrator and one-third of the romantic triangle. This is more his story than anyone else’s, as his journey from Ohio to Paris is what sparks everything. He bookends the show, preaching about love and all that it encompasses.
Christian Douglas’ Christian matches that of Aaron Tveit, who originated the role on Broadway. Douglas provides the charm and naiveté to love at first sight, growing the character through the show as he discovers just how complicated love can be. He makes it look easy up there on stage, but make no mistake that it isn’t. Christian spends most of the show singing one song after another, going from pop songs to ballads. At times, he brought chills with songs such as “Roxanne.” Douglas is a powerhouse who commands the stage and takes audiences on one spectacular ride.
Andrew Brewer is also magnificent as the devious Duke, whose only goal is to get his hands on Satine. Brewer has undeniable charm as he struts across the stage in true aristocratic fashion. He has a commanding presence, partially due to his imposing height but also because he’s deliciously wicked. Do you trust The Duke? No, but you can understand why people fall for him, and Brewer walks that line perfectly.
And, of course, where would this show be without our Harold Zidler? Robert Petkoff took the audiences by storm with his over-the-top but incredibly appropriate performance as the owner of the Moulin Rouge. Petkoff’s experience as a Shakespearean actor was noticeable because, through all the technical difficulties of opening night, there was no struggle to hear him. His spin on Zidler definitely humanizes the character, playing with the idea that Satine is not just his worker but his daughter.
Unfortunately, when we saw the show on opening night, there were definite tech issues, the most impactful being sound. For most of Act One, it was almost impossible to hear Satine, whose mic kept going in and out. There were moments when the orchestra overpowered her, and you had to guess what she was saying and singing. Granted, it wasn’t too hard to figure it out, as we all know these songs, but that’s beside the point. There were even a few times when feedback rang through the Opera House, which momentarily took you out of the show. I’m thankful that when I attended Moulin Rouge! The Musical a second time, all these issues were fixed, and the show went on as intended.
Besides our actors, what shined brightly were the impressive sets and lighting that Moulin Rouge! The Musical utilized. I won’t lie; I was worried about how they would pull off the sets/staging, having seen it on Broadway. I knew it wasn’t likely that the stage would extend out into the audience, but part of the magic of this show is the incredible use of lighting techniques. Somehow, all that remains intact with the touring production.
I, and everyone else around me at both performances, were in awe of the use of spotlights, the way the stars came to life in the background, and even how the light of the absinthe transferred from bottle to cups. Using backdrops and lightning, you’re easily transported to the magical world of 1899 Paris and the vibrant life that the Moulin Rouge provided.
Don’t Miss the inspiring and impressive Moulin Rouge! The Musical
As the title of this article states, Moulin Rouge! The Musical makes you believe in love again. It’s an epic tale of all forms of love and the impact that it has on lives. Love isn’t easy, no matter what anyone tries to tell you. It’s work, but the kind that is worth every bump. Love is easy when you have someone who is willing to put in the work as well, much like that of Satine and Christian. I think it’s easy to become jaded to love when the world falls victim to the power of fairy tale syndrome of social media and such. We see everyone putting forth their best for everyone to see, and we think that if love and relationships take work, then it isn’t right.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical shows that relationships can take work but also can leave you with that overwhelming feeling of security and love. I forgot what that feels like, as so many of us have. This musical inspired me to believe in the power of love in every form again and understand that it’s not just going to fall in my lap and ride off into the sunset, but to love someone is to understand them and still feel that love when things are off and days are bad.
If you haven’t seen Moulin Rouge! The Musical, then, now is the time. This story should be shared with everyone, and I hope that if you do see it, you are as inspired and empowered as I was. Go with your friends, take your family, see it with a partner, and spread the love because you’ll find truth, beauty, and, above all, freedom through the power of love.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is currently on its North American tour! It’s currently at the Detroit Opera House now until October 6th! Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes if you’ve seen this show or plan to!
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