Moulin Rouge! The Musical — Local services in New York

My story with Moulin Rouge starts on September 9th, 2001. While traveling to Portland, Oregon the inflight movie with Moulin Rouge. I watched it and was stuck most by the soundtrack. Watching a movie on a five-inch screen leaves a lot to be desired. After a national tragedy and an epic cross-country drive, I arrived home from Portland. Upon arriving home I kissed my wife, hugged my children, and immediately said to my wife, “There’s this film you need to see. You are going to love it or hate it, but you must see it.” We rented the video, my wife saw it, and she loved it. No really, it is a top three movie for her. Flash-forward a few more years and I purchased a DVD of Moulin Rouge for her. We watched it again and we both still really enjoyed the film. And that’s when we ask, “I wonder if this will ever come to Broadway?” That must have been around 2016. So, I started my internet research. As it turns out, there was a plan to bring Moulin Rouge to Broadway. Occasionally over the following years I would check on the progress of the play, and then, one fateful day in 2019 it happened… Moulin Rouge opened on Broadway. I excitedly told my wife, “Hey Moulin Rouge is on Broadway.” She replied, “Well, we should go see it.” We are not theater folk. We are home bodies. An event would be needed to spark the passion to travel to Broadway to see a play. Enter our 30th wedding anniversary. What better reason is there to go to Broadway and see a play. The play was on May 14th, the matinee showing. We rode the train from our hometown to Penn Station, had some lunch, and walked to the theater, where we waited in line. It was raining and while my wife was dressed appropriately for the weather, I was a little undressed and ended up with wet pants. No matter, we were not going to let a little rain come between us and fun and adventure. Due to my poor scheduling, we arrived at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre just in time to take our seats only moments before the curtain was opened. We did not see much of the lobby. It was lit in red. Our seats were D107 and D108, only a few rows off center stage. We quickly took in our surroundings: to our right the elephant, to our left the windmill. Just inside the elephant and windmill, two small, lonely balconies overlooking the stage. At the front of the stage performers entertaining the audience. Behind them, MOULIN ROUGE, spelled out in bright beautiful neon letters. What was to come? Well let me tell you, what was to come was spectacular, spectacular. The play opens, no, explodes with a performance of Lady Marmalade by Nini (Samantha Dodemaide), Baby Doll (Jeigh Madjus), Arabia (Rayven Bailey), and La Chocolat (Donnie Hammond). From there the pace slows. Christian (Jordan Fisher) begins our introductions. We meet Toulouse (Andre Ward) and Santiago (Pepe Munoz) working on the script for their play. The scene changes and Zidler (Boy George) enters with the Duke (Andy Karl) setting the stage for the rendezvous with Satine (Solea Pfeiffer). Scene change again and we are back at the Moulin Rouge. A new explosion of colors, sound, and excitement as the Can-can begins. We are now fully into the Funhouse of Moulin Rouge. Satine enters from the ceiling on a trapeze. Now all the players are here the show can truly begin. The sets maneuvered on and off stage, carrying us, the audience, from moment to moment like a captivating carnival ride. From beginning to end my wife and I were captured by the spectacle, only able to breath during the intermission. The color, the costumes, the singing, the dancing, it was a whirl wind of excitement, romance, and tragedy. Boy George owned Zigler. Solea owned the audience as Satine. Jordan’s voice, smile and tears easily ferried us through Christian’s story. Andre, as Toulouse-Lautrec, brought passion and depth to all the characters. Andy’s Duke was a villain to be loved and hated. Samantha was Nini: dancer, prostitute, and lover. Pepe sizzled with the sex and humor that Santigo deserved. All-in-all, yeah,...

Step into the dazzling world of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, where the energy is electrifying, the colors are vibrant, and the storyline captivates from start to finish. Set in New York City's theater district, this production brings to life the iconic Parisian cabaret with a modern twist, delivering an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Great Dancing and Colors: Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a spectacle of sensational choreography and stunning visual design. The choreography, led by Tony Award-winning choreographer Sonya Tayeh, blends contemporary dance with classic cabaret moves, creating dynamic and mesmerizing performances. The vibrant costumes and elaborate set designs transport the audience to the bohemian world of 19th-century Montmartre, filled with glamour, passion, and extravagance.

Storyline: At the heart of Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a compelling love story that unfolds against the backdrop of artistic revolution and societal change. The plot follows the romance between Christian, a young writer, and Satine, the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge, as they navigate their forbidden love amidst the backdrop of jealousy, ambition, and betrayal. The narrative is both poignant and exhilarating, drawing viewers into a whirlwind of emotions that mirror the intensity of the characters' relationships.

Performances and Cast: The cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical delivers powerhouse performances that breathe new life into beloved characters. From Aaron Tveit's charismatic portrayal of Christian to Karen Olivo's magnetic presence as Satine, each actor brings depth and authenticity to their roles, capturing the essence of passion and longing that defines the story. The ensemble cast shines brightly, showcasing their exceptional talents through vocal prowess and theatrical flair, making every musical number a show-stopping moment.

Audience Experience: Watching Moulin Rouge! The Musical is not just a passive experience; it's an immersive journey that invites the audience to participate in the spectacle unfolding before them. The energy inside the theater is palpable, with audiences cheering, clapping, and occasionally even singing along to iconic songs like "Come What May" and "Lady Marmalade." The production's ability to engage and entertain ensures that every seat in the house feels like a front-row experience.

Conclusion: Moulin Rouge! The Musical in NYC is a feast for the senses, blending great dancing, vibrant colors, and a captivating storyline into a theatrical masterpiece. Whether you're a fan of the original film or experiencing the story for the first time, this production promises an exhilarating evening filled with music, romance, and theatrical magic that will leave you wanting to revisit the Moulin Rouge time...

The theater is stunning... the entrance, bar, and bathroom areas are very small though.. the drinks are WAY overpriced for the few sips you get (about $25/drink but they're only like 6oz)... neither of us liked our drinks either..

The show itself was a bit disappointing as well. It started out strong but once the lead Satine was introduced, her acting and singing completely ruined it. Christain's character also had some moments where he forgot lines and was just dead paused silent..I kept thinking he must be hungover because he looked so confused all the time. His voice eventually made a recovery during some songs but he was off pitch a lot and trying to sing outside of his range... it was likely exacerbated by his co-leads twingey, high-school style, off-pitch, screatching voice. We would literally tense up and cringe trying to survive her voice. Sounds harsh, buuuut, you're in a Broadway show, you'd think casting would be critical. Plus, zero chemistry between the characters and a few of the girls looked so bored and over it, like they didn't get paid enough to care.

On that note, Satine is supposed to be the epitome of sex appeal and she never once brought that to the table. Harold's actor STOLE the show though. He was absolutely amazing in every scene and did his character flawlessly!

Overall, I contemplating walking out because it was just awful. I also didn't care for the montage of current modern music. Sure, they kept some of the important songs, but the rest just didn't fit it. I came to watch Moulin Rouge, not some high school rendition that turned the penniless sitar player into a poor sailor, and where it appears this is their life's first performance on stage.

We spent almost $300/ticket so while our seats were excellent, I was counting down the songs until it was over. I was just so excited for this show for so many months so to be not just slightly disappointed but weighed down with by it? Yeah, let's hope it wasn't as bad for...