Theatrely Three: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

Our top three reasons why you should not miss out on Moulin Rouge!'s return. 
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The Parisian night club is back on Broadway in the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, Moulin Rouge! Featuring a score of over thirty popular songs from both the radio waves and the 2001 Bar Luhrmann film on which it's based, this musical-spectacular is ready to entrance audiences again as it reopens tonight, September 24, just two days before the 74th Annual Tony Awards, of which it's nominated for a whopping fourteen.

Here’s our Theatrely Three:

1. The sumptuous world of the Moulin Rouge is brought to dazzling life by its Tony-nominated design team and choreography.  As audiences enter the Al Hirschfeld, they are transported to 1890s Paris, washed in rich and sanguine reds and pinks, as if to intoxicate and lure patrons into the titular night club where romance rules.  As if it were a "modern" Cabaret, complete with an ensemble of rascals and a rickety and raucous emcee, played by Danny Burstein, who is sure to (finally) win his long-overdue Tony Award.  Why not step inside this wonderland of chaos and celebration of the Bohemian values: truth, beauty, freedom, and love.
   

2. Moulin Rouge! features a majority of its original cast reprising their roles upon its reopening.  With new leading lady Natalie Mendoza set to take the stage as the sparkling diamond Satine, along with several new members of the ensemble, the show is sure to feel fresher than ever.  Mendoza has a special connection to the original film, having played China Doll onscreen for fellow Aussie director and visionary Baz Luhrmann.  This will surely be a must-see full-circle moment for fans of the film.  Mendoza is a seasoned theatre vet whose credits include Miss Saigon, Ghost, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, and Here Lies Love, which was also directed by Moulin Rouge's Alex Timbers.
   

3. Harold Zidler, played by Burstein, proclaims "no matter your sin and no matter your desire, you're welcome" to the Moulin Rouge!  The same could be said about your musical taste.  The show honors its source material by being constructed as a jukebox musical with songs reinterpreted from their original context.  These musical numbers come from a variety of artists and genres in new arrangements to help tell the story of the star-crossed lovers Satine (Mendoza) and Christian (portrayed by Tony Award-nominee Aaron Tveit).  From Lady Gaga to Elton John, to The Beatles and Madonna, you're sure to find a favorite hit or two at the Moulin Rouge.
   

Moulin Rouge! is now in performances at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 45th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.