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By Steven Lieberman
Observer Reporter 

Moulin Rouge, not the inspired work of Christina Aguilera, but the award-winning musical at the Pantages Theatre

 

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” winner of 10 Tony Awards - including Best Musical - is now making a run at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood until September 4, 2022.

When you first walk into the theatre before the performance begins and look at the stage settings, one is already enveloped in a sense of splendor, glitz, grandeur, and glory.

This sets up a world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, this theatrical celebration brings truth, beauty, freedom, and love.

Other Tony Award winners were involved - book by John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Justin Levine; and choreography by Sonya Tayeh.

The setting is a cabaret called the Moulin Rouge and in other various parts of Paris in 1899. A joyful cabaret experience.


A song and dance barn-burner with artists that were perfectly cast for their acting and singing skills, led by Courtney Reed (Disney’s Aladdin) as Satine, Conor Ryan (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Christian, Austin Durant (Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Harold Zidler, Andre Ward (Rock of Ages) as Toulouse-Lautrec, and David Harris (Wicked) as The Duke of Monroth.

And an ensemble of dancers that will also dazzle you as pop music creatively intertwines this production like a radio station filled with your favorite songs.

The Moulin Rouge is experiencing financial hardship, so the Duke steps in to save the day, but at the expense of the love that Christian feels for Satine. The two battle for the love of Satine, with Christian desperately and sometimes unrequitedly courting her, begging and pleading with her to love him. But the Duke offers wealth which attracts Satine. Christian is just a poor Bohemian.


During the scenes when Christian was anguishly pleading his case to Satine, there was a total hush amongst audience members in the packed venue.

This live production seems to overshadow the 2001 film. It is interesting how Christian at times narrates the unfolding love story.

Overall, the artists on stage had a great connection with the audience members, hooting, hollering, clapping and dancing in their seats the entire performance.


For more information and to buy tickets, go to: BroadwayInHollywood.com

Moulin Rouge! The Musical will also have performances from November 9 to the 27th at Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to: SCFTA.org

 

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