While today’s teens weren’t around in 2001 when director Baz Luhrmann’s opulent and unconventional movie musical “Moulin Rouge!” hit theaters to acclaim, they have been able to connect to the stage musical since it opened on Broadway in 2019 and launched a North American tour three years ago. This month, PNC Broadway in Louisville finally brought the tour to Louisville’s Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, where it runs through Mach 2.
On opening night, Feb. 18, teens with Arts Angle Vantage got to see the spectacle and take it all in for their reviews here.
As always, big thanks to LEO Weekly for helping us elevate youth voices and the arts by practicing the values of collaborative journalism and criticism.
— Elizabeth Kramer, Executive Director, Arts Angle Vantage
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Robert Petkoff (Harold Zidler) and the cast of the North American tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
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“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” dazzles in telling a tale of love with pop music
By Kyran Kennedy | Arts Angle Vantage Reporter
duPont Manual/Youth Performing Arts School, Class of 2027
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is an electrifying theatrical experience that masterfully blends romance, spectacle and a powerhouse jukebox score into an unforgettable night of entertainment. From the moment the curtain rises, the show transports the audience into the heart of the bohemian world of Paris where passion, freedom and love reign supreme.
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Robert Petkoff (Harold Zidler) and the cast of the North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
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The production — part of the PNC Broadway in Louisville season which opened at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 28 and runs through March 2 — is a feast for the eyes with lavish set designs and dazzling costumes. For example, Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff), the club’s owner, wears a blood red tailcoat with a black-and-gold-bedazzled undershirt. Vibrant lighting immerses the audience in the decadent world of this gentlemen’s club crossed with a circus. Every scene bursts with color and energy making it feel as though you’ve stepped into a living, breathing painting. The choreography is equally mesmerizing — high-energy, dynamic and executed with remarkable precision.
The show’s music is one of its biggest triumphs. Seamlessly weaving together iconic pop and rock hits. So fresh and so clean, it feels exhilarating, and emotionally charged. The clever arrangements breathe new life into beloved songs to create a thrilling musical tapestry that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish.
The cast delivers powerhouse performances with Arianna Rosario as Satine and Christian Douglas as Christian embodying their roles with charisma and depth. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, making their love story all the more compelling. Their vocal performances, like Douglas’s “Sound of Music,” are breathtaking, and include soaring ballads and electrifying duets that leave the audience spellbound.
Beyond the spectacle, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is a heartfelt story of love, sacrifice and following one’s dreams. It balances grand theatricality with intimate, emotional moments, ensuring that its impact lingers long after the final curtain call.
In short, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is a must-see — a dazzling, high-energy celebration of love, music and the magic of theater. Whether you’re a fan of the original film or new to the story, this production delivers an unforgettable experience that will leave you singing long after you leave the theater, as I did with Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”
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Kyran Kennedy, a sophomore at Youth Performing Arts School, enjoys spending time with family on the holidays and eating pizza. He has been in pageants, dance performances and talent shows. He has performed in “Grease!” (Sonny); “13 The Musical” (Archie); “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (Olie & Charlie); “Kinky Boots” (Simon/Lola); “Wizard of Oz” (Lollipop guild) and “Spam A Lot” (Sir Robin).
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Forbidden love inspires an extravaganza of music and more at the Moulin Rouge
By Jo Lowden | Arts Angle Vantage Reporter
Homeschool Student, Class of 2025
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie with the same name and adapted for stage by writer John Logan and director Alex Timbers, opened Feb. 18 in Louisville at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts with beauty, tragedy, recognizable songs, and beautiful design. The musical premiered in 2018 in a Boston theatre but opened on Broadway in 2019. It runs in Louisville through March 3.
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The cast of the North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
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The story is about a man named Christian (Christian Douglas), an American singer-songwriter who comes to Paris in 1900 and has an affair with the lead in the Moulin Rouge cabaret, Satine (Arianna Rosario). Their love is complicated and strenuous at times. Soon he finds out about her relationship with a rich duke that keeps the cabaret in business. But Christian’s and Satine’s love has care and passion at the core.
Then there is the owner of the cabaret, Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff), who showcases his great stage presence. He was my personal favorite character, and it was great to see some queer representation even if it was small.
The stunning sets included Satine’s opium den called the elephant room, which had a beautiful heart window and, in the background, looked onto a huge neon sign with the word “L’amour” across the Paris skyline and a full moon. Timely furniture pieces and drapes all around really set the mood for the room. There was also another set for the show they created that had a very vintage background, looking like it was from an early 20 th century movie with its frills and paintings.
The lighting designers took full advantage of all they had. They incorporated lighting into the decorative sets on the outer stage or the proscenium arch as a part of the show as well as into tricks into the songs, adding more to the story. The costumes were beautiful and very intricate down to the color — a lot of red, but also lots of gold and black. All of it helped showcase the era and even add depth to the characters.
The show was full of fun and recognizable references. Within the musical, there is a show called “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a character from Lima, Ohio, also the town of “Glee.” Then there are all the musical mashups that also remind me of that same sitcom. Douglas as Christian, specifically in the number “Rolling in The Deep,” strongly reminded me of J.D. from “Heathers” with his mannerisms, which was fun since they are vastly different characters.
The show was absolutely stunning, and I can’t recommend it enough. The vocals were incredible, the mix of familiar songs was so much fun, and the costumes and stage design were just gorgeous. But what really made it special was its story about a forbidden romance and a love that is too short. It pulled me in, made me feel for the characters, and stuck with me long after the final bow.
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Jo Lowden (they/he), a dual-credit student at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in their junior year of high school, is a youth leader at Louisville Youth Group and their local library. They are passionate about all things involving mental health and queerness. They plan to finish their studies at University of Louisville in Social Work and plan to become a therapist working with queer teens and young adults.
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While steeped in extravagance, ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ still speaks with sincerity
By Claire Schneider | Arts Angle Vantage Reporter
Bullitt East High School, Class of 2025
In “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” the artists are tortured, the gentlemen cruel, and the dancers scantily clad.
The North American tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” opened Feb. 28 and runs in Louisville through March 2 at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts’ Whitney Hall.
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Arianna Rosario (Satine) and Christian Douglas (Christian) in the North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
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Based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, it tells the love story of Christian, a Bohemian writer from Ohio, and Satine, a courtesan desperate to save the titular Parisian nightclub through mashups of iconic pop songs. Their relationship goes from that of strangers to a passionate tryst, hidden from Satine’s wealthy suitor, ending with the reveal of her tragic secret. The plot is framed by a set of red lacy hearts and the glowing Paris skyline, where the phrase “L’amour” floats. “Moulin Rouge!” revels in what it is: an extravagant, yet sincere jukebox musical.
Luhrmann is known for his colorful and chaotic movie directing style, also having directed the films “Romeo + Juliet,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “Elvis.” Alex Timbers’ direction of the musical, “Moulin Rouge!” translates this style to the stage.
Justin Townsend’s lighting and Sonya Tayeh’s choreography often complement each other, emphasizing each movement. There is no better example of this than the “Backstage Romance” sequence, a high- energy mash-up of “Bad Romance,” “Seven Nation Army,” “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “Tainted Love” and “Toxic.” While the Moulin Rouge dancers rehearse, the lighting flickers as one song morphs to another and Christian and Satine carry out their affair. The Baz Luhrmann of it all is present in other ways — the gaudy costumes and the bright, glowing absinthe drank in Act 2.
The set mimics scenes of 19th century Paris, and in some ways breaks the fourth wall. At certain points the Whitney Hall audience becomes the Moulin Rouge audience as the stage becomes that of the nightclub. Before the performance, a few dancers are already warming up on stage. Still, the set has no problem transforming into the dingy streets of Montmartre, or Satine’s elephant-themed dressing room. One of the side characters, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, is based on the real artist. So, one of the final sets of the show pays homage to his art, which often included the real Moulin Rouge.
The cast of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” transcends the film in a way a cast isn’t always able to do. Christian Douglas and Arianna Rosario play the leads, roles originated by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman in the film. The role of Christian is relatively unchanged — Douglas carries over McGregor’s wide-eyed earnestness, while delivering the most impressive vocals of the show during “El Tango de Roxanne.”
Satine’s motivations are given higher stakes. Rather than wishing to become an actress, she is the only thing standing between the Moulin Rouge and bankruptcy — which would leave her fellow dancers to the streets. Rosario carries Kidman’s cold charisma. During Satine’s moment of emotional vulnerability with the audience, she sings Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Here the song morphs from one about which most don’t consider the lyrics to one, thanks to Rosario, that shows a woman desperately trying to keep it together.
Other cast members warrant mention. Andrew Brewer as Satine’s wealthy suitor, bares a cruelty that is clear from the onset. Robert Petkoff plays Harold Zidler, the Moulin Rouge’s eccentric owner. Christian forms a Bohemian trio with Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, played by Nick Rashad Burroughs and Danny Burgos. There are also the many dancers of the Moulin Rouge, including AK Naderer as the jealous, but well-meaning Nini. Each actor makes their character their own, despite following in the footsteps of others.
The shameless use of pop-songs in this musical certainly isn’t for everyone. “Chandelier” by Sia might feel out of place in the 19th century story to some. When Christian sings a line from Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” the audience laughs. One might also find the plot contrived and undeniably melodramatic in its story of first and last love. But “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” knows exactly what it is. The artists are tortured, the gentlemen cruel, and the dancers scantily clad — and the show is perfectly OK with that. It’s unapologetic in its pop-music and melodrama, and there is something undeniably charming about that.
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Claire Schneider, a Bullitt East High School senior, is Editor-in-Chief of Livewire, her high school’s news magazine. She was part of The Governor’s Scholar Program in 2024 and is a 2023 Governor’s School for the Arts alumni. She loves to be both onstage and backstage during her high school’s theater productions. She hopes to stay involved with the arts for many years to come.
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Prepare for “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” to steal your breath away
By Lucy Thompson | Arts Angle Vantage Reporter
Presentation Academy, Class of 2026
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” first captures attention with its gorgeous lighting. Before the curtain rises, the bright neon red Moulin Rouge sign shines as it’s enveloped by a big red heart with intricate, gold molding.
This breathtaking musical about passion and heartbreak tells a tale about love and having it stolen from you.
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Arianna Rosario (Satine) and Christian Douglas (Christian) in the North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
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“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann movie, opened at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 18 and runs through March 2. The show is directed by Alex Timbres, with music supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Justine Levine, and choreography by Sonya Tayeh.
The story spotlights two main characters, Christian (Christian Douglas), a man originally from Ohio who comes to Paris, France to write songs, and Satine (Arianna Rosario), a woman who is the moneymaker of the Moulin Rouge. They are in love with each other, but there is the very wealthy Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer), who is needed to save this Parisian club that is going bankrupt. This beautiful musical is about a couple that wants to be together. Fate, however, has something different in store for them.
Rosario’s dancing, singing and overall performance was incredible from her first appearance as Satine in the number “The Sparkling Diamond,” shining in a costume of diamonds with white spotlights glowing beautifully surrounded her. Her strong and powerful voice was entrancing, and her performance gave songs meaning. She tugged at the heartstrings when she collapsed in a heart stopping scene.
The music was so loud and booming, but “El Tango de Roxanne” was so powerful, in particular, because Christian Douglas as Christian beautifully sang this piece with passion that showed his love for Satine.
During the song, the lighting switched from red to white to portray how deeply he felt about losing his Satine to a man she doesn’t even love. The red light represented his anger and the white symbolized his pure love for Satine.
The stunning and sparkly costumes graced all of the people working in Moulin Rouge. Those who did not work at the club donned costumes showing their wealth or how little wealth they had. Power and wealth was evident in the three-piece suit of the Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer) with its long jacket.
The lighting was beyond words and was perfectly timed during songs that needed the extra emotion. That was on display with the introduction of the Duke of Monroth where the lighting turned to purple symbolizing his royal status. While in the Moulin Rouge, a giant curtain backdrop of a red heart with gold outlining it dominated the set. In street scenes of Paris, gray buildings populated the background showing the little wealth many people had.
This musical has all one could want in a musical — passion, love and heartbreak. If you haven’t already, go see this incredible musical with fantastic actors, beautifully intricate sets, and lighting with strong emotion while it’s still in town, especially if you are a “Moulin Rouge!” fan.
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Lucy Thompson (she/her), a junior at Presentation Academy, is active in theater and a member of the golf team at her school. In theater, she has participated in set building, prop design, and stage managing. Thompson aspires to study psychology and become a psychologist after high school.
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This article appears in Feb 14-27, 2025.