Everything you need to know about 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' on Broadway

Here's all you need to know about the spectacular Broadway stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's smash hit movie.

Hey sista, go sista, soul sista, flow sista — welcome to the Moulin Rouge! Ever since Baz Luhrmann's iconic 2001 film graced the silver screen, Broadway fans have clamored for a stage adaptation, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical is now a spectacular reality.

Directed by Alex Timbers and featuring a book by John Logan, Moulin Rouge! The Musical takes audiences on a journey of love and ambition in the titular Parisian nightclub during the turn of the 20th century. Centering on a forbidden romance between Christian, a young and idealistic songwriter, and Satine, the star performer at the Moulin Rouge, the show weaves a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and a whole lot of sequins. The story is underscored by dozens of pop hits from artists like Elton John, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé, as well as original music from the 2001 film.

Following a pre-Broadway run in Boston in 2018, the production has played at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre since 2019, winning 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. You’ll be can-canning your way home — but before you even step through the doors, find out more about Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway below.

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What is Moulin Rouge! The Musical about?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is set in the bohemian mecca of Montmartre in Paris, France, at the turn of the 20th century. The story follows an aspiring American songwriter named Christian, who has landed in Paris in search of inspiration. He finds it in the form of Satine, a beautiful courtesan working as "the sparkling diamond" of the Moulin Rouge nightclub.

Their blossoming romance must stay secret, as the club's emcee, Harold Zidler, promises Satine to the rich, controlling Duke of Monroth in return for saving the Moulin Rouge from financial ruin. But Satine is also harbouring another secret that threatens to cut short the pair's bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and love.

Where is Moulin Rouge! The Musical playing?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre, located at 302 W. 45th St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Originally opened in 1924 as the Martin Beck Theatre, the venue was renamed in 2003 for legendary Broadway caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, who was famed for his black and white portraits of celebrities and Broadway stars.

Other major shows that have recently graced the 1,424-seat theatre include Kinky Boots and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

How long is Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical runs 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. This is a typical length for a Broadway musical, though musicals can run anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. Intermissions are usually 15-20 minutes long.

What days is Moulin Rouge! The Musical playing?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical plays eight performances a week at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, with performances usually scheduled every day except Monday. There are two performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and some Sundays. For the complete performance schedule and showtimes, please visit the Moulin Rouge! The Musical page.

When did Moulin Rouge! The Musical premiere?

Seventeen years before the stage adaptation came about, it all started with the 2001 film Moulin Rouge! The musical premiered in 2018, and its resounding success propelled the show to stages in America, the U.K., and Australia.

• 2001: The Moulin Rouge! film, directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. premieres at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and was released in theatres later that year to acclaim.
• 2018: Moulin Rouge! The Musical premieres at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre on July 27.
• 2019: Moulin Rouge! The Musical receives its Broadway premiere at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on June 28.
• 2021: Moulin Rouge! The Musical makes its U.K. debut at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End on November 12.
• 2021: The first Australian production opens at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. The show moved briefly to Sydney in May 2022 before returning to Melbourne in August 2023.

Who wrote Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

The Moulin Rouge! The Musical script is by John Logan, adapted from the 2001 screenplay by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Logan's previous Broadway credits include the Tony Award-winning Best Play Red and the musical The Last Ship, co-written with Sting. He was also a screenwriter for acclaimed films like Gladiator, the James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The score, composed of more than 70 existing tunes from various music genres, is credited to 160 songwriters and 30 publishers.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical characters

The two lead characters of Moulin Rouge! The Musical are Christian and Satine, but the cast includes many other nightclub figures. Learn about the main characters below.

• Satine: The "Sparkling Diamond" and star performer at the Moulin Rouge, Satine is torn between following her heart and securing the cabaret's survival.
• Christian: A penniless composer and dreamer from America who falls deeply in love with Satine.
• Harold Zidler: The charismatic and cunning owner of the Moulin Rouge who will do whatever it takes to keep the venue alive.
• The Duke of Monroth: A wealthy and powerful patron of the nightclub who offers to save the Moulin Rouge in exchange for a terrible price.
• Toulouse-Lautrec: An artist and bohemian who befriends Christian and encourages him to follow his heart.
• Santiago: A bold and brazen Argentinian performer and one of Christian’s closest friends in the bohemian group.
• Nini: A showgirl at the Moulin Rouge who wishes she could be a star performer like Satine.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical songs

Moulin Rouge! The Musical features a staggering 70 songs blended into electrifying medleys. Popular hits from the 2001 film, such as "Your Song" by Elton John and "El Tango de Roxanne," take center stage alongside fresh additions like Adele's "Rolling in the Deep,” Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” and other chart-topping tracks spanning 160 years of music history.

The below list names the musical numbers in the show. Learn more about each one, and the songs it contains, in our Moulin Rouge! The Musical song guide.

Act 1

• "Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!"
• "Bohemian Ideas"
• "Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love"
• "The Sparkling Diamond"
• "Shut Up and Raise Your Glass"
• "Firework"
• "Your Song"
• "So Exciting! (The Pitch Song)"- Zidler, Toulouse-Lautrec, Christian, Santiago, Satine, and Monroth
• "Sympathy For The Duke"
• "Nature Boy"
• "Elephant Love Medley"

Act 2

• "Backstage Romance"
• "Come What May"
• "Only Girl In A Material World"
• "Chandelier"
• "El Tango de Roxanne"
• "Crazy Rolling"
• "Your Song (Reprise)"
• "Come What May"
• "More More More!"

What awards has Moulin Rouge! The Musical won?

Moulin Rouge! The Musical has earned numerous prestigious accoldes, including an impressive 10 Tony Awards. Here's a look at the major awards the Moulin Rouge! musical and movie won.

• Tony Awards: Moulin Rouge! The Musical won 10 out of its 14 nominations at the 2020 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Alex Timbers) and Best Choreography (Sonya Tayeh).
• Drama Desk Awards: The show won all five awards that it was nominated for, including Outstanding Choreography (Sonya Tayeh), Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical (Derek McLane) and Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical (Catherine Zuber).
• 2022 Olivier Awards: The musical's London production took the award for Best Costume Design at the 2022 ceremony.
• Academy Awards: In 2002, the original Moulin Rouge! film won two Oscars: Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. It was nominated for an additional 6 awards, including Best Picture.

Major productions of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Since its 2018 Boston debut, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has become a global spectacular. Below are some of the major productions of Moulin Rouge! The Musical worldwide.

• 2018 world premiere: Moulin Rouge! The Musical premiered at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre. The iconic lead roles were played by Tony Award winners Aaron Tveit as Christian and Karen Olivo as Satine.
• 2019 Broadway premiere: Moulin Rouge! The Musical transferred to Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre with the same main cast as in Boston. The Broadway production won 10 Tony Awards.
• 2021 Australian premiere: The first Australian production opens in Melbourne, moving briefly to Sydney before returning to Melbourne.
• 2021 U.K. peemiere: The show debuted at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End and was nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards.
• 2022 national tour: The first North American tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical begins at Chicago's Nederlander Theater on March 19, starring Conor Ryan and Courtney Reed.

Celebrities who have performed in Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical has cast many well-known theatre actors, including Aaron Tveit and Danny Burstein, who won Tony Awards for their performances in the show. Here are even more celebrity cast members who have appeared at the Moulin Rouge!

• Aaron Tveit: The Broadway veteran known for Wicked, Next to Normal, and more originated the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, winning a Tony Award in 2021 for his performance and returning to the role multiple times.
• Karen Olivo: Known for originating the role of Vanessa in Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and winning a Tony Award for West Side Story, Olivo originated the role of Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway.
• Danny Burstein: The seven-time Tony Award nominee, known for his celebrated performances in Fiddler on the Roof and Cabaret, won a Tony for originating the role of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.
• JoJo: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque is a chart-topping singer/songwriter who made her Broadway debut as Satine in April 2023, returning to the role in July 2024.
• Boy George: The Grammy-winning Culture Club frontman has performed limited runs as Harold Zidler in 2024 and 2025.
• Derek Klena: The well-known Broadway star has played multiple stints as Christian on Broadway. He is known for his Tony Award-nominated performance in Jagged Little Pill.
• Tituss Burgess: After appearing in Broadway shows like Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid, and Guys & Dolls, the five-time Emmy-nominated Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) played Harold Zidler for a limited run in 2023.
• Andy Karl: The three-time Tony Award nominee (Groundhog Day) stepped into the role of the Duke of Monroth in Moulin Rouge! The Musical in January 2025.
• Casey Cott: He is best known for starring as Kevin Keller on the hit CW series Riverdale, and he played Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical from 2023-24.
• Ewan McGregor: McGregor is known for originating the role of Christian in the Moulin Rouge! film, the musical's source material.
• Nicole Kidman: The Oscar and Emmy-winning actress starred as Satine in the Moulin Rouge! film.

Onscreen adaptations of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical isn’t the basis for a movie; rather, it’s the other way around. The musical was adapted from Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two. Nicole Kidman starred as the doe-eyed Satine opposite Ewan McGregor as Christian, and like the musical, the soundtrack consists of contemporary hits. The film’s blend of period drama and contemporary pop-hits earned it a passionate fan base and critical acclaim.

Fun facts about Moulin Rouge! The Musical

With a tight-knit cast and iconic soundtrack, Moulin Rouge! The Musical seems to be a magnet for pre-show banter, insider-scoops and brilliant audition throwbacks. Learn about all this and more with these Moulin Rouge! The Musical fun facts.

• The Moulin Rouge is a real nightclub that's operated since 1889 and is known as the birthplace of can-can dancing.
• Original cast member Aaron Tveit once said in an interview, “I’ve been such a fan of [choreographer] Sonya Tayeh for so long — since So You Think You Can Dance. Even in my audition, I think I said, “'Oh my God I love you so much!'”
• Baz Lurhmann personally chose Alex Timbers to direct the musical adaptation for Broadway.
• Emcee Harold Zidler gets his name from real-life Moulin Rouge co-founder Charles Zidler, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, known for creating promotional posters for the real nightclub, is fictionalized as a bohemian artist" in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
• "Moulin rouge" means "red windmill" in French. A red windmill is part of the stage set, as is an elephant head, a nod to Satine's elephant-shaped dressing room from the Moulin Rouge! movie.
• When Baz Lurhmann asked Elton John if he could use John's "Your Song" in the Moulin Rouge! movie, John was so thrilled that he helped convince other musicians to let Luhrmann use their songs, too.
• "Come What May" is the only song written specifically for Moulin Rouge! "So Exciting! (The Pitch Song)" has original lyrics, but it includes melodies from songs like "La Vie en rose."

How to get Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets

With dozens of chart-topping songs from the 1940s to the 2010s, this musical is perfect for pop lovers, fans of historic romances, and people who love to groove! Escape into a world of burlesque-inspired glamour — secure your tickets and prepare for a spectacular night!

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Photo credit: Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. (Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)