It’s Time to ‘Kick Up Your Heals’ with BroadwaySF’s “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
“Spectacular” is the one word that describes BroadwaySF’s production of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” currently playing at The Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco through November 5, 2022.
The theater comes alive as “Moulin Rouge” is filled with contemporary music, glittering costumes and high energy. On the night I attended, “Moulin Rouge,” playing to an almost packed house, rewarded the cast with non-stop applause and a double standing ovation… one at the end of the story-line and again after the final, full-cast CanCan.
This stunning, eye-popping rock show contains some of the original musical numbers, but this stage version has put it in high-gear with a number of recognizable smash hits by the likes of Lady Gaga, the Rolling Stones, and Britney Spears.
The actual story remains the same as the original, with struggling composer Christian (Conor Ryan) falling in love with Moulin Rouge star performer Satine (Courtney Reed) who, out of obligation to her club family, must sell herself to a rich Duke (David Harris). There is some 1899 social class commentary as Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows as a recurring theme established by the characters of artist Toulouse-Lautrec (Andre Ward, who is a standout) and his Argentinian friend Santiago (Gabe Martinez). Sex, class, and the role of artists are all fleshed out through the creative use of contemporary music.
The creative team has hit it out of the park, with an eye-popping excess of glitz and grandeur. Tony winner Derrick McLane's vivid red, heart shaped set design and Parisian backdrops, Catherine Zuber's Tony winning cabaret bejeweled costumes, and Justin Townsend's Tony winning lighting are dazzling. Add Tony winners Sonya Tayeh's choreography and Justin Levine's music direction to the mix and you've got plenty of wow factor.
This 10 Tony award winning musical is a “not-to-miss” performance!
Moulin Rouge! The Musical runs through November 6th, 2022. Call 888-746-1799 or www.broadwaysf.com for tickets or more information.
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Photo caption: The cast of the North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” (photo credit: Matthew Murphy)
