Live theatre recommendations in Paris?

[Kevin84]

Posted: 4/9/23 at 7:19pm

Longtime lurker, first-time poster!

I'll be in Paris this summer and as a serious & prolific NYC theatergoer, wondering if there are any reputable theatre/opera companies or other shows I should check out on my free evenings?

Is seeing a cabaret at the Moulin Rouge worth my time or just a tourist trap? 

and YES, I'll tour the Opera Garnier, home to Phantom.

THANK YOU!

[djjd007]

Posted: 4/9/23 at 8:05pm

Moulin Rouge is a tourist trap, but their Can Can numbers cannot be beat. Avoid the dinner package.

Look at Theatre Marigny and Mogador if you’re interested in French spins on musical theatre. Mogador did the best Les Miz I’ve ever seen. For more a more French theatre experience, an opera or ballet in one of their huge spaces would’ve sublime. You’ll love the Garnier, one of the most gorgeous buildings in the world, IMHO. There’s not a lot of Box 5/Phantom stuff, but they did have cute keychains. 

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 4/9/23 at 8:48pm

I’d check out the Sarah Bernhardt exhibit at the Petit Palais. 

[TheOnlyOne2]

Posted: 4/11/23 at 4:13am

I was lucky enough to spend time living in Paris, in the Pigalle/9eme. Do not go to Moulin Rouge or any of those tourist cabarets in those few blocks along Blvd Clichy. It's touristy and trashy like Times Square. One of the interesting things about Paris that I haven't seen really in other major cities is that they have a solid community for solo shows. They even have schools specifically focused on the craft.

The cabaret culture is what has traditionally and continues to be what dominates Paris. I would try to tap into that, and read up on the many offerings. You can find them in French or English. If you like a mature, stunning, and modern show, then I would suggest is the new show called "Fantasma", by Savary and Zaffuto. There are also many traditional torch song shows if you prefer something less risqué.  If you speak French, there are also a handful of small theater productions. You just have to do a thorough search. 

As previously mentioned, Opera Garnier, Magodor, etc are all venues with great work. If you're looking to focus on music theater like you find in NYC, you'll have a difficult time. Aside from 1 or 2 productions like Le Roi de Lion (Lion King), it's just not a place you'd go for that experience. Most of Europe is the same. As musical theater is not a European art form. Most  dont have a lot of experience with it, even in a very large Euro city. If you're there at the right time, you could catch a touring show.

One thing I suggest on general in Paris is that you make time for walking aimlessly. I would do that a lot when I first got there, and discovered so much without a plan.  It has such a rich culture in the arts, and you'll find small galleries, or performance venues tucked away on a tiny street.

 

 Fantasma

https://www.theatredesvarietes.fr/spectacles/fantasma-circus-erotica/?fbclid=PAAabivPaK5zdH-9d26fK4TKWBUq_V2x6Tv-I5ashtxh1azerx4QNQPaSsYp0

Updated On: 4/11/23 at 04:13 AM

[Kevin84]

Posted: 4/11/23 at 1:26pm

Helpful! Thanks, folks.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 4/11/23 at 3:58pm

Don’t go to the Moulin Rouge at all. Standing outside is the most exciting part. The show is dull, outdated and cheap looking. While the dancers are all very lovely to look at they are the most bland performers I’ve ever seen. 
 

The Lido (now called Lido2Paris) now presents English language musicals. They’ve recently announced their new season which includes A Funny Thing Happened…, Rocky Horror, and more. I saw their production of Cabaret (the musical not the genre) and it was phenomenal. 

Updated On: 4/11/23 at 03:58 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/11/23 at 3:59pm

I don't know if it's still running, but there was a revival of Cabaret running, last I saw!

[Kevin84]

Posted: 4/12/23 at 4:27pm

Thanks! Looks like I'll miss the Moliere Award-winning production of The Producers by a matter of days (though it's listed as 2 hours, no intermission, so there must be some sizable cuts)

[schubox]

Posted: 4/12/23 at 4:46pm

Agree on avoiding the Moulin Rouge. My wife and I were there last October and went and would not recommend it to anyone. Way overpriced and the performers were not great. One or two numbers were good, the rest were just weird and/or cheesy.