Moulin Rouge! The Musical begins performances on Broadway

An official opening is set for July 25, 2019, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

"How wonderful life is... now you're in the world!" The much-anticipated Broadway premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical finally begins previews at the Al Hirschfield Theatre tonight, ahead of an official opening on July 25.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers directs the stage musical, which celebrates Baz Luhrmann's beloved 2001 film and features a book by Tony Award winner John Logan, choreography by Sonya Taneh, and musical direction & arrangements by Justin Levine.

Synopsis: "Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France at the turn of the century, a world of indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, of bohemians and aristocrats, of boulevardiers and mademoiselles, Moulin Rouge! The Musical tells the fictional story of an ambitious, lovesick writer, Christian, and a dazzling, entrancing chanteuse, Satine. Their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge with its many characters including the host of the Moulin Rouge, Harold Zidler; the brilliant and starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec; the greatest tango dancer - and gigolo - in all of Paris, Santiago; the tempting Nini; and The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of the club who thinks he can buy anything he wants, including love."

The cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical is led by Aaron Tveit (as Christian), Tony Award winner Karen Olivo (as Satine), six-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein (as Harold Zidler), Tony Award nominee Sahr Ngaujah (as Toulouse-Lautrec), Tam Mutu (as The Duke of Monroth), Ricky Rojas (as Santiago), and Robyn Hurder (as Nini).

The creative team features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Peter Hylenski, make-up design by Sarah Cimino, and hair & wig design by David Brian Brown.

The 2001 hit movie grossed over $179 million at the worldwide box office and earned Catherine Martin two Oscars ("Best Costume Design" and "Best Production Design") at the 74th Academy Awards, where it received a further six nominations, including "Best Picture." The jukebox movie musical starred Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGreggor and Jim Broadbent, along with John Leguizamo and Richard Roxburgh, and featured versions of popular songs such as "Lady Marmalade," "Material Girl​," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend​," "One Day I'll Fly Away​," "Roxanne​," and "Your Song​," as well as original song "Come What May​."

Moulin Rouge! The Musical previously staged its world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre from July to August, 2018, and is produced on Broadway by Global Creatures and Bill Damaschke.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical Tickets are available now for performances through February 2, 2020.

^{(Photo by Matthew Murphy)}