New guy in Paris, earnest American songwriter Christian (Christian Douglas) is embraced by bohemian artists Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and Santiago (well played by understudy Tommy Gedrich at our performance) who finagle to get their show pitched to the Moulin Rough nightclub star, Satine (Gabrielle McClinton) Her boss, Harold Zigler (Robert Petkoff) was a charming impresario and brought humor and showmanship pushing Satine to charm the rich Duke (Andrew Brewer) to fund the club and the bohemians’ show. A misunderstanding results in a love triangle between Satine and the Duke and Christian. All the performers were excellent, and the dancing (the can-can, of course, and much more) was spectacular.
This “juke box musical” feels more complex and far-reaching than other such musicals because the pop songs are often intertwined in imaginative ways and come from a wide variety of artists. It seems newer songs have been incorporated into this newer musical — songs that will be recognized by multiple generations. My favorite was the mashup of "Sympathy for the Devil” "Gimme Shelter," and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," all by the Rolling Stones.
If you’re interested in an enumeration of the assorted pop songs, check out https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/all-the-songs-in-moulin-rouge-the-musical-on-broadway
Despite the tragically romantic ending, the fun and frolic quickly sweeps us out of the tragedy into a fabulous finale/curtain call. This is not a short musical, about two and a half hours — but a real crowd pleaser earning an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Moulin Rouge continues at the Wharton Center Great Hall through April 14. Tickets at https://www.whartoncenter.com