David Mirvish & World Creatures / Moulin Rouge! The Musical, e-book by John Logan, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, musical supervision by Justin Levine, directed by Alex Timbers, CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, closes Jan. 12. Tickets right here.
The touring manufacturing of Moulin Rouge! The Musical has arrived on the town on a wave of glory.
The present opened on Broadway in 2019 and continues to be going robust on the Nice White Means. Not surprisingly, Moulin Rouge was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, and received 10, together with Finest Musical.
And does the present deserve all of the hype? You wager it does.
The Story
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is predicated on Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-winning 2001 movie and shares the identical storyline. It’s set in Paris in 1899, and kudos to e-book author John Logan for dialogue that by no means loses its crispness.
Satine (Arianna Rosario) is the star attraction on the well-known nightclub. She turns into a part of a love triangle that features a penniless composer Christian (Christian Douglas), whom she actually loves, and a rich patron, the Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer).
Christian’s Bohemian associates, Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and Santiago (Danny Burgos), need him to get Satine all for his songs so the Moulin Rouge will placed on their musical play. In the meantime, the membership’s proprietor Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff) desires Satine to type a liaison with the duke for his cash with a purpose to save the Moulin Rouge from chapter.
Poor Satine will get caught between the 2 forces of affection and loyalty.
The Manufacturing
Moulin Rouge has staggeringly lovely theatrical values. Three of the Tonys the present received had been for units (Derek McLane), costumes (Catherine Zuber) and lighting (Justin Townsend) and one can see why.
The truth is, I’d go as far as to say that this manufacturing is among the most spectacular I’ve seen in an extended whereas. Each scene is a visible delight, and turns into nearly a power of nature as a result of the stage image smacks you within the face with its design parts. Typically units, costumes and lighting act as a backdrop, however not on this stunningly attractive manufacturing.
Choreographer Sonya Tayeh received her Tony for her imaginative dances which erupt throughout the stage, coupled by extra quiet motion. You might nearly say the present is over-choreographed as a result of somebody is all the time in movement. Specifically, Tayeh has give you lascivious bump and grind for the cancan ladies and the viewers cherished it. In all, the choreography is vigorous and really, very showy.
Director Alex Timbers received a well-deserved Tony for his staging, which is excellent. The massive forged is manipulated with finesse, as a result of Timbers is aware of methods to make each massive ensembles and intimate moments work.
The Actors
There’s, alas, one fly within the ointment amid some very proficient folks.
Satine is the central focus, however Rosario is miscast. She will be able to sing and dance effectively sufficient however lacks the sexual attract which is so vital for Satine. The truth is, her entire stage presence lacks charisma. It doesn’t assist that she could be very mannered in her singing, elongating her vowels so that you lose monitor of the lyrics. She additionally drops her phrases on the finish of traces, so the viewers loses them. I’m certain Rosario can be superb in different roles, simply not on this one.
The boys, nonetheless, are great, with two being very good.
As Christian, Douglas is a blazing expertise who can act, sing and dance up a storm. His efficiency is completely charming, and he superbly portrays each Christian’s tentative nature in addition to his explosive frustration. He’s a relative newcomer who’s certain for a superb Broadway profession.
Petkoff is dazzling as Zidler, the manipulative proprietor of the Moulin Rouge. His commanding voice is a clarion name, whereas his glowing persona jumps off the stage. As grasp of ceremonies, he’s entrance and centre, however extra importantly, he’s additionally superb in his offstage moments, notably pleading with Satine to tackle the duke, after which grovelling to the duke himself. Petkoff presents Zidler as a person of many faces.
Burroughs’ Toulouse-Lautrec is a really sympathetic character, filled with allure and wit, whereas Burgos’ Santiago, whereas a bit too loud at instances, is an efficient foil for Burroughs along with his energetic efficiency. Each males sing divinely. Brewer’s duke is a bit mannered in his speech however exudes the correct amount of entitlement.
There are additionally 4 Moulin Rouge dancers — Nini (Ak Naderer), Arabia (Rayven Bailey), La Chocolat (Renee Marie Titus) and Child Doll (Max Heitmann), the latter being in drag. This foursome performs some critical kick ass routines that nearly steal the present.
The Music
Just like the film, Moulin Rouge makes use of discovered music for its rating. It incorporates the songs from the film however provides in much more from the up to date pop repertoire. Thus, Moulin Rouge is a jukebox musical, however one which makes use of many songwriters, fairly than only one.
The rating covers a large sweep, with classics like Minnie the Moocher (1931), Nature Boy (1948), and Diamonds Are a Lady’s Finest Buddy (1949), in addition to an Edith Piaf tribute. Modern hits embody Burning Down the Home, Each Breath You Take, and Sympathy for the Satan. The Sound of Music and Habanera from the opera Carmen, even make an look.
Whereas the film contained entire songs (if I’m not mistaken), this rating most of the time hyperlinks traces from a number of songs to type a brand new unit. For instance, Diamonds Are Ceaselessly from the James Bond film, segues into Diamonds Are a Lady’s Finest Buddy from the musical Gents Choose Blondes, which segues into Madonna’s Materials Lady, adopted by 5 different songs.
Consequently, Moulin Rouge has a jammed-packed, tuneful rating that could be very intelligent in the best way songs are used. Music supervisor Justin Levine received a Tony for Finest Orchestrations together with three others. He is also answerable for some intelligent further lyrics.
Ultimate Ideas
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a vastly entertaining present on many ranges and is actually price a go to.
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Paula Citron is a Toronto-based freelance arts journalist and broadcaster who hosts her personal web site, paulacitron.ca. For over 25 years, she was senior dance author for The Globe and Mail, affiliate editor of Opera Canada journal, arts reviewer for Classical 96.3 FM, and dance previews contributor to Toronto Life journal. She has been a visitor lecturer for varied cultural teams and universities, notably on the position of the critic/reviewer, and has been a panellist on COC podcasts. Earlier than assuming a full-time journalism profession, Ms. Citron was a member of the drama division of the Claude Watson College for the Arts.
