Moulin Rouge! The Musical Reviews

Jen from Boston, Massachusetts

STELLAR CAST & CREW MAKE UP FOR UNMEMORABLE WRITING AND PLOT

Saw this last night without having ever seen the movie. I thought the plot and dialogue were weak and unoriginal, and for that reason, this probably isn't a musical that anyone will remember years from now as an all-time great. But I enjoyed myself so tremendously while watching the performance that I didn't really care about those flaws -- and no one else in the electrified crowd seemed to, either. The singing, acting, energy, choreography, set, lighting, and costumes were all simply superb, and they make this show well worth an evening out even if you won't remember it forever.

JS from Boston, Massachusetts

THE SEATS AT THE EMERSON COLONIAL SHOULD COME WITH SEATBELTS

“Moulin Rouge” is all the things great theatre should be - brilliant, exhilarating, entertaining, a talented and hard working cast who give their all to the production. It is an almost perfect show. I say almost because there is clearly some work still to be done in the last half of the second act. Hopefully the artistic folks involved with the show are able to sense the subtle shifts in energy in the audience as the show nears its heartbreaking final moments. With a few small changes in the book and perhaps a new production number for the finale, this show will not only be a hit in New York but will run for years. If you’re in Boston, go see this show. It’s a gift to all of us from the theatre gods.

Jake from from Los Angeles, CA

FANTASTIC ADAPTATION WITH PERFECTLY FINE LOVE STORY

It's very easy to look back at Moulin Rouge the movie with nostalgic, heart-colored glasses and talk about how 'wonderful' the love story was. But the very first time I saw the film--and I saw it over a dozen times in theatre--my ONLY real issue was how cheap and flimsy and unrealistic the love story was. Repeatedly crooning "how wonderful life is, now your'e in the world" doesn't a love story make. This musical has -exactly- as much of a love story as the film did. What people are complaining about is those rose-colored memories. Instead, come see this show for what it is--the Spectacular Spectacular that the Mouline Rouge was always supposed to be. Recognize that even the FILM's plot is over the top and shallow, exactly like the play WITHIN the play (Christian is writing the story all along). Then come see one of the brightest musical adaptations I've ever seen. Top notch cast. Incredible set. Great choreography. And perfectly added new music. See the stuff that matters here.

Carolann Frenger from Patchogue, New York

SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR!!

My daughter and I came from Long Island with great expectations and we were not disappointed! The set was beyond our expectations. So beautiful and captured the feel of the movie we so love. What blew our minds were the talents of the cast! From the ensemble to the main characters, this show is worth every dollar spent. The voices of leads were extraordinary. Aaron Tveit not only captured the essence of Christian through his acting, his voice.....well I can only say we were mesmerized and never wanted him to stop singing. Karen Olivo's voice as well, beautiful, powerful and she carried the part of Satine effortlessly. Danny Burstein and Sahr Ngaujah cannot be overlooked....fabulous and I only hope they all come to Broadway with this production...amazing. The only reason I gave 4 stars was we felt the production tried to include too many newer songs at the expense of what has become classic numbers from the movie. Would and hopefully will see it again in New York. Love to you all!

COME WHAT MAY from Boston, Massachusetts

MORE MORE MOOORRRREEE (GITCHY GITCHY YA YA DA DA)!

A criticism of the original movie could have been written about this stage adaptation: "The movie, though blessed with some stunning architectural design, never pays its audience the compliment of giving them the time and space to look around. We are driven back by the great undifferentiated roar of colour and light and noise. It is as if a jeroboam of champagne has been shaken up far too much and then uncorked in our faces. That isn't a very refreshing or tasty experience." The musical stays true to the spirit of excess that made the movie so enveloping and entrancing. If you were drawn to the emotional (but generic and always surface level) love story, then you may be disappointed. If you were enthralled by the wonderment that Baz Luhrmann embedded in the surprising score, outrageous spectacle, and rapid pace editing of the movie, then you may feel like you just experienced Moulin Rouge again, but for the first time...and you'll want more More MOOORRRREEE (gitchy gitchy ya ya da da)!

K Bennett from Boston, Massachusetts

WHY DID THEY MAKE CHRISTIAN CRAZY?

Twice seen and twice awed by the stage set but disappointed in Christian. It's fine to make changes but not for no reason and definitely not to make something great worse. Christian threatens to kill Satine then himself? Seriously? And the Duke just accepts Satine's rejection with no recourse? So WRONG. The Duke is supposed to be the slimey, bad guy. Here he's too handsome and accepting. Heartbroken they make Christian a bit psycho. Love all the new songs they incorporated and the visuals are simply amazing, but this serious change in the story is quite upsetting to the perfect, loving Christian we know. Would also like to see another actor - Tveit can sing, but doesn't feel. It was refreshing to see Nini be kind to Satine unlike the movie.

Elaine Bard from Bangor, Maine

LEADS DISAPPOINT AS ENSEMBLE AND TECH SHINE

As a theatre director, and avid theatre goer, I was incredibly excited to see this production, and drove 4+ hours to do so. While the tech side of the show and choreo is heavenly, and the supporting actors and ensemble divine, sadly the chemistry between Tveit and Olivio was sorely lacking. At no point did I ever feel they were connected, let alone in love. While Tveit shone brighter than Olivio, both of them needed a firm directors hand to find what the entire crux of the story is about....namely their connection! Some of the scenes/songs are unnecessary, incredibly slow, and drag the show down. Seats that are full price and not labelled limited seating had awful sight line issues. The songs , while more modern, didn't always work, and had the audience laughing or clapping when it should have been a serious moment,the director needs to drive the intention! How I would love to get my hands on this show and cast and refine what COULD be an excellent piece of musical theatre

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