Life, Love, and a Bad Romance: Moulin Rouge at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatres

CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre

Coming out of Mirvish theatres, Moulin Rouge dazzles the stage bringing lights, love and music. In production from November 19th to January 12th, the hit show Moulin Rouge is gracing the stage showing us the meaning of love, life, and a bad romance. This jukebox musical based off of Le Bohème portrays the star-crossed love between a struggling writer and a prostitute working at the nightclub, the Moulin Rouge. Through struggling to keep the club running and time ticking, this musical shows us the true meaning of fighting for love and living your life to the fullest. While many have seen the movie adaptation, if you haven't seen the stage production, you haven’t seen the Moulin Rouge. 

Opinions regarding jukebox musicals tend to be polarizing. Some view the musicals as high energy and easily accessible, while some view them as unnecessary and don’t emulate the true essence of theatre. However, whether you are a jukebox lover or hater, we can agree that Moulin Rouge is in its own league. So what makes Moulin Rouge so different? While most musicals will tend to pick a theme for their songs (e.g. Mamma Mia playing ABBA), Moulin Rouge decided to perform songs from any and every genre of music. From Marilyn Manroe’s Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend to Beyonce’s Single Ladies, Moulin Rouge finds a way to seamlessly weave juxtaposing songs together to create a wild musical masterpiece. Nothing can compare to the whiplash after the turmoil from El Tango Roxanne followed by I May be Crazy. With Moulin Rouge, even expecting the unexpected isn't enough. The fusion of themes, emotions and music is what makes this musical stand out from the rest. 

Credit must also be given to the incredible cast who make the show what it is. It is evident that the quality of performers is equivalent to that of West End or Broadway. Each number had precise coordination, never missing a beat. The choreography and performance of the dancers encapsulates both modern burlesque as well as the essence of the can-can all in one. Each singer had depth to their voice conveying the internal processing of their character making you feel the same emotions on stage. Not enough praise can be given to the incredible actors who I can only wish a long and prosperous career to. 

One of my personal favorites of the musical was Chandelier. This song comes at a point where stakes are heightened and I found that this scene provided an emotional break through a rave-like party scene. This scene consists of absinthe, a swinging chandelier, and a green fairy. Having only seen the movie, this scene couldn't have caught me more off-guard. This scene is but one way that the Moulin Rouge keeps you on your feet.

Another addition to the musical that I thoroughly enjoyed was the opening act, Lady Marmalade. This song was only a bonus scene in the movie and so I wasn’t expecting to see it in the musical. This number was one of my favorites because it shows you the true power of the ensemble. I would argue that this scene has one of the most intense dancing sequences taking its choreography straight from the actual Moulin Rouge. I can say it's nearly impossible not to tap your foot along while in the audience. 

The Moulin Rouge is the kind of show that has something for everyone whether you like pop music of the classics, big production, or simple love. For anyone looking for a break from reality, Moulin Rouge is the way to go. My only advice is to try your best not to sing along.