Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love

Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Broadway in Chicago

Once upon a time there was an American in Paris, searching for truth, beauty, freedom and love. He was a young, aspiring composer named Christian, and he was trying to find himself. It was a special time, during the Belle Epoch era, at the turn of the century. He looked up and suddenly, gleaming in the night of the Montmartre Quarter, like a Red Mill, there appeared the Moulin Rouge. In this cabaret, filled with talented, but boldly brassy performers, Harold Zidler, the club’s flamboyant emcee, promises the audience a place “where all your dreams come true.” Then, there she was, arriving on a swing high above the stage: the Sparkling Diamond of the Moulin Rouge, the beautiful and talented Satine.

Christian interrupts the narrative to begin his own story…a story about passionate, desperate and foolish love. It’s the kind of love you never forget. Soon after his arrival, Christian is befriended by fellow bohemian artists Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, a dancer/choreographer. After marveling at some of Christian’s music, the men decide to collaborate with the songwriter. They encourage the young romantic to audition one of his songs for Satine, so that they might ultimately write and produce a new musical at the Moulin Rouge. 

At the same time, Zidler has enticed the wealthy Duke of Monroth to visit the cabaret and meet the seductive Satine. His hope is that the depraved millionaire will become so enamored by the beguiling courtesan that he’ll donate some of his fortune to save the Moulin Rouge from financial ruin. However, Satine mistakes the handsome, but penniless, composer for the ruthless and twisted Duke, and falls hopelessly in love with Christian. But the beautiful entertainer is pressured by Zidler to dump the poor composer and, instead, seduce the wealthy Duke, in order to save the nightclub.

If the plot of this musical sounds familiar, it’s probably because you enjoyed Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, of the same name. This big, brightly-colored, super-splashy musical is a live version of the movie. While the story remains the same, most of the tunes in what is essentially jukebox musical have been updated from the film to include more current hits. The story is pure melodrama and doesn’t offer as much depth as some of the  great musicals of the past. But audiences will give in to its irresistible allure that’s so completely electrifying and seductive. Once this show draws you in it’ll never let you go. 

Skillfully directed by Alex Timbers (“Beetlejuice,” “Peter and the Starcatcher”), this feast for the senses will keep your jaw dropping for two-and-a-half hours, filled as it is with brilliantly-hued sets (Derek McLane), spectacular lighting (Justin Townsend), glitzy, but provocative period costumes (Catherine Zuber), stylish hair and wigs (David Brian Brown) and so many wonderful songs and musical medleys that it’s difficult to name every song heard. The musical, written by John Logan, is the product of Justin Levine’s unbelievable work co-orchestrating (with Katie Kresek, Charlie Rosen and Max Stine) and arranging the many songs for this show. Musical Director Andrew Graham has guided his cast to some pitch-perfect performances. Sonya Tayeh choreographs the production with her signature zealous and zestful dance moves that dazzle and drive the show. The entire package will leave audiences breathless.

For this stunning, perfectly cast National Tour, some of Broadway’s finest talent get to tell this story. Satine is brought to life by beautiful and talented Courtney Reed. The handsome young American telling this story is the extraordinary Conor Ryan, as Christian. Together, these two powerhouse actor/singers are the epitome of today’s red-hot au courant musicals. The mercenary Harold Zidler is played faultlessly by Austin Durant; and David Harris makes the smarmy Duke of Monroth as despicable as possible. Temperamental Toulouse-Lautrec is portrayed by a soulful Andre Ward, and athletic Gabe Martinez mesmerizes as Santiago, especially when coupled with the limber Libby Lloyd as Nini, his lover and exotic dancer. Backed by an extraordinary ensemble of gender-bending vocalists and dancers, the talent in this production is utterly unbelievable.

Although Act II feels a bit long, and perhaps a couple scenes should’ve been cut to pare this show down closer to two hours, the overall spectacle will delight, titillate and tease spectators into simply wanting more. There’s often so much to see and hear that, at times, it’s overwhelming. The score is the icing on this confection, with so many well-known songs from today’s Hit Parade, the audience is continually heard murmuring, “Oh, yes!”

In addition to “Come What May,” Satine and Christian’s melancholy and romantic duet from the film, dozens of familiar, present-day songs, ranging from “The Sound of Music” to “Bad Romance,” from “Rolling In the Deep” to “Single Ladies,” “Material Girl” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” fill the score of this show to overflowing. While searching out Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love, this brilliant cast tells the tragic tale of  two ill-fated lovers, while generously gracing their audience with a cassoulet of captivating and exotic musical entertainment.           

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 19-May 14 by Broadway in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, the BIC Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.