Moulin Rouge! The Musical has arrived at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City! I absolutely loved the music to the movie from Baz Luhrmann, so I was really excited to see it come to life on the stage when we were invited* to come see it last night.

We arrived at the show and walking into the theater, you could feel the heat from the stage before the show even began. It’s incredible to me that sets and lighting can transform a stage–the same stage used for any performance–into a completely different world. Last night, it transported us to Paris back in 1899.

Christian, an American, has just arrived in Paris to follow his dreams of becoming a songwriter and he meets a group of artists and revolutionaries, known as Bohemians. They have a vision of creating a musical and quickly determine Christian is exactly who they need to make this dream a reality. He just needs to convince Satine, the sparkling diamond of the legendary Moulin Rouge, to star in the show and let them perform at the theater.

Simultaneously, the Moulin Rouge is in financial trouble and needs help, unbeknownst to any of it’s patrons. The opportunity comes when The Duke of Monroth visits the theater and sets his sights on Satine. These worlds cross paths mistakenly and what takes place in the show is a result of that.

Normally, when you see a show on the stage for the first time, you have no idea what you are in for, as far as the music goes. Even having seen the 2001 movie, knowing that it was a “jukebox musical” loaded with contemporary songs, I had no idea what I was in for in the stage production. This new national tour of Moulin Rouge is loaded with song after song that you will know and love. It is a high-energy score, with sometimes hilarious, sometimes touching placement of familiar tunes interwoven into new mashups and numbers. It was a spectacular array of music and lyrics delivered by extremely powerful voices, especially by Christian (played by Conor Ryan) and Statine (played by Grammy-nominated Courtney Reed). I could have sat even longer just listening to them belt out tune after tune.

This was a great show to enjoy just for the music alone, however, there was much more to it than just the music. All the performers did a fantastic job and we were thoroughly entertained. The lighting and sets added an electric feel to the already buzzing atmosphere in the theater. I will say, however, that given the nature of the story, there are many adult themes and the costumes don’t leave much to the imagination, I think it is best enjoyed by older audiences.

You can purchase tickets now to any of the upcoming performances while tickets are still available. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is playing now through December 11th, 2022 at the Delta Hall at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater.

Run time: 2hrs, 35mins with 1 intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and up. No babes-in-arms. All patrons must have a ticket.

Zions Bank/Broadway at the Eccles
presents
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
November 30th – December 11th, 2022
Delta Hall at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater
Salt Lake City, Utah

Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical!

Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is one of the many shows in the 2022-2023 Broadway at the Eccles season. Be sure to get your tickets to all the upcoming shows, as you don’t want to miss out. Productions such as Ain’t Too Proud, Dear Evan Hansen, Hairspray and more are included in this season!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are my own*}