This 2023, the spring season brings an exciting musical that will make you fall in love with its riveting storyline and groundbreaking visuals! The Tony Award-winning musical Moulin Rouge’s phenomenal arrival at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans! From April 5 to 16, 2023, the world-renowned musical will finally take over New Orleans’ favorite Broadway destination. Moulin Rouge was initially set for 2020’s holiday season. However, the pandemic forced production to be postponed, much to the disappointment of thousands of Broadway fans. Fortunately, Moulin Rouge will finally open at the Saenger Theatre in the spring of 2023! This is your chance to experience the incredible love story of the breathtaking cabaret singer Satine and the kind aspiring poet Christian! We know you’ve been waiting a long time for Moulin Rouge, so hurry and grab your tickets now!
Moulin Rouge is a captivating love story between famous cabaret singer Satine and a young poet and composer, Christian. Set in the Belle Epoque (Beautiful Epoch) period, the story happened during a time of a flourishing economy, thriving arts, and culture in Paris, France. In the Montmartre Quarter, there is a hot cabaret club, the Moulin Rouge, which is frequented by the city’s wealthy gentlemen. Despite its impressive clientele and rich, vibrant atmosphere, the club is on the verge of financial ruin. Thus, the club’s fate is in the hands of its most popular cabaret singer, Satine. She effortlessly captured the hearts and desires of Moulin Rouge’s patrons, including Christian. Christian is a young poet and composer who visited the club hoping to have his songs produced and performed there. Satine anticipates the arrival of the Duke of Monroth because the wealthy royal may be the key to saving the club. When Satine meets the Christian, she mistakes him for the duke, inviting him backstage to seduce him. After discovering Christian’s true identity, they were found together by the real Duke of Monroth. Satine had already fallen in love with Christian, but she still had a duty to save the club. Furthermore, things get more complicated when Satine’s health problems worsen. Will Satine be able to save the Moulin Rouge? Or will she follow her heart and pursue her love for Christian?
The Moulin Rouge is a jukebox musical based on the 2001 film of the same name. The story, written by Naz Luhrmann and Craige Pearce, received wide critical acclaim upon its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film became an instant commercial success when it opened in general theaters a few weeks later, grossing over $170 million. Due to the film’s fantastic success, it was only fitting that Moulin Rouge was adapted into a stage musical. The visual artistry and captivating story were brought to life in 2018 when it had a trial run in Boston and finally opened on Broadway one year later. Award-winning director Alex Timbers led the original Broadway production with choreography by the esteemed Sonya Tayeh and costumes by Catherine Zuber. The fantastic creative team also brought in Tony Award-winning set designer Derek McLane, Tony Award-winning sound designer Peter Hylenski and distinguished lighting designer Justin Townsend.
As a jukebox musical, Moulin Rouge’s score is packed with contemporary hits like “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Chandelier” by Sia, “Your Song” by Elton John, and more. Apart from familiar hits, the musical also features original songs, including “Welcome to Moulin Rouge” and “Come What May.” The enchanting Satine performs some iconic songs, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “Single Ladies,” and “Material Girl.”
The Moulin Rouge’s outstanding creative team, innovative storyline, and film’s popularity have produced the most sought-after musical of the decade. In 2020, Moulin Rouge The Musical received ten Tony Awards out of 14 nominations. The creative team brought home the gold, including Best Musical, Best Music Director of a Musical, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Orchestrations. At the Drama Desk Awards, Moulin Rouge also reigned supreme by winning five awards for choreography, scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design. Apart from the Tonys and the Drama Desk Awards, the musical also received awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards, and the Grammy Awards.
Despite show delays due to the pandemic, Moulin Rouge remains one of the most anticipated musicals in recent years. In 2019, Moulin Rouge’s U.S. tour was halted and postponed, but production resumed in 2022. Moreover, the production is now set to tour the globe with dates in Seoul, London, Australia, and Cologne.
Professional critics were impressed by the stage adaptation of the sensational 2011 film. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter complimented the musical for “eye-popping spectacle” and “off-the-chart energy.” He also expressed his excitement and adoration for the musical’s atmosphere. “The show proper hasn’t even started, and already, Timbers and company. have taken Bazmatazz to a whole new level, bowing with flamboyant theatricality to the more-is-more aesthetic. Some will find it a bombastic onslaught, but plenty more will eat it up.”
“An eye-popping spectacle” and has “off-the-charts energy.” – The Hollywood Reporter.
“A fabulous musical. The high begins the instant you walk into the theater.” – The New York Post.
The New York Times’ distinguished critic Ben Brantley used the words “euphoric” and “gasp-inspiring” to describe the award-winning musical. He continued, “In Moulin Rouge, life is beautiful.” Meanwhile, Time Out New York’s Adam Felman raved about the show in his review, “The jukebox music to end all jukebox musicals. It’s hard to imagine how it can be topped.”
This 2023, the touring cast consists of Courtney Reed as Satine, Conor Ryan as Christian, David Harris as the Duke of Monroth, Austin Durant as Hardol Zidler, Andre Ward as Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gabe Martinez as Santiago. The creative team is still composed of the original lineup led by director Alex Timbers, Choreographer Sonya Tayeh, music supervisor, orchestrator and arrangement Justine Levine, lighting designer Justin Townsend, and more. In a statement, Timbers expressed his excitement with this season’s cast, “I’m thrilled and honored to welcome an extraordinary and vibrant group of actors to Moulin Rouge! The Musical as we begin our rehearsal process this week. After years of anticipation, we are all so excited to finally be taking this show on the road to audiences throughout North America.”
This 2023, the Moulin Rouge will open at the Saenger Theatre on Wednesday, April 5, 2022. Broadway enthusiasts in New Orleans can choose their preferred dates from the 16 performances that will be held at the Saenger Theatre. The venue is ready to host the most groundbreaking musical of the decade. Equipped with 2,600 plush seats, the theater provides a great view of the stage no matter where you are seated. Since 1924, the Saenger Theatre has been the prime destination for New Orleans’ most exciting musicals and concerts. The historic venue has become an iconic landmark in downtown New Orleans, undergoing millions of dollars worth of renovation and refurbishment. Today, the theater provides guests with top-tier facilities for the ultimate entertainment experience.
If you loved the film Moulin Rouge, you’d surely love the stage adaptation. The producers and award-winning creative team have spent thousands of hours developing this musical into a lively and visually wonderful spectacle. Moulin Rouge the Musical is praised for its vivid colors and incredible aesthetics. Moreover, the stellar cast has also exceeded the expectations of fans and critics!
You can now secure tickets to this exciting musical at the Saenger Theatre! Hurry and grab your now because tickets are expected to sell out!
“The jukebox music to end all jukebox musicals. It’s hard to imagine how it can be topped.” – Time Out New York.
“Euphoric, gasp-inspiring. Forbidden pleasures abound in this spectacular musical. In Moulin Rouge, life is beautiful.” – New York Times.
