Parisian Burlesque, Romance and The Vibrant Music of Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Kennedy Center
Photo credit: Phillip Aleman (Bond Theatrical Group)
by Jordanna Garland, Fellow Writer
The Kennedy Center has never graced such glitz and glamour like that of the vibrant and eclectic, Parisian burlesque romance, adorned with covers of pop hits from then and now — Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The performance celebrates music and theatre design all in the name of love and runs through September 24, 2023.
Walking into the theater, I marveled at the magnificent set design created by Broadway, designer, Derek McLane. The light-studded windmill and large, blue elephant loomed over the onstage with bright red arches. When the show first came to Broadway in 2019, Justin Levine, the music supervisor told Entertainment Weekly that he didn’t want audiences to think of the show as a “medley of songs,” but rather “this epic treatise on love.” Director Alex Timber’s stage adaptation served to be highly ambitious as 70 songs written by 160 musical artists are squeezed into just a 19 song soundtrack.
In an especially poignant moment of the show, the two main lovers, Christian and Satine, sing a duet called “Elephant Love Medley,” wherein many pop artist’s music can be heard. Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer and John Cardoza’s voices complement each other so perfectly in this number, which serves for a wonderful Act One closer when the two stars belt the infamous high note in Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
It becomes clear while watching this musical why Justin Townsend and Sonya Tayeh took home Tony’s for Best Lighting Design and Best Choreography in 2020. Standout performances like “Backstage Romance” put this show’s impeccable design on full display. The ensemble shines in this number as dancers leap, spin, and command the stage under the colorful, flashing lights.
However, while the highly embellished and illuminated stage paired with a myriad of stylized musical renditions might fill the hearts of some, in my opinion, it could have been more. Like a vintage compact of blush that’s been scattered across an expensive French vanity, the characters of Moulin Rouge! felt a bit disconnected in the middle of a larger than life performance.
As the show wrapped up, the cast made their way back onto the stage for bows and the audience rose to their feet in standing ovation. The well deserved applause resounded as confetti poured down into the house. Leaving the theatre, chatter celebrating the musical's praises bounced off the Kennedy Center lobby walls as audience members rushed to take photos against the Moulin Rouge! and L’amour backdrops.
Moulin Rouge! is an homage to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 Moulin Rouge, with music that reflects today’s radio. In the rise of jukebox musicals on stage, Moulin Rouge! proves to be the quintessential, yet simultaneously refreshing example of theatre steeped in passion and love.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical plays through September 24, 2023, at The John F. Kennedy Center Opera House – 2700 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20566. For tickets, call the box office at (202) 416-8540, or purchase them online.
Running Time: Two hours and 42 minutes with an intermission.
Jordanna is a senior English major with minors in Theatre Production and Journalism at the University of Delaware. Jordanna serves as the Director of Communications for the Lavender Programming Board, University of Delaware’s oldest LGBTQ+ student organization. As of this past semester, she serves as the Managing Arts & Culture Editor for The Review, University of Delaware’s independent student newspaper.