Moulin Rouge (professional) reviews — Page 8

Kad said: "I will fully cop to being someone who is not particularly moved by the well-worn melodramatic romantictropes of the movie, nor do I find those tropes to be indicative of "heart" or some sort of emotional complexity or depth.

The production largely eschews those tropes in favor of spectacle and entertainment, which I think is equally valid, and feeling thrilled and dazzled and entertained is just as valid of a response as being emotionally moved- provided that's what the intention is.

I think there is a recurring theme of weirdsnobbishness running through this thread, from people balking that it's a spectacle and thinking it should just be in Vegas to people repeatedly saying they don't recognize a lot of the music used, as if being unaware of the last 2 decades of popular music is a sign of street cred here. (...I also think the claim of audiences laughing every time a new song starts is vastly overblown, but this is admittedly based on my sole experience of having seen the show).

The irony is that most of the successful Broadway musicals with original scores of the last 10+ years all have scores that have been influenced as much by songs and artists like those in Moulin Rouge as they have been by musical theatre, if not more."

Agree completely! Well said Kad!

Finally got to see this show this past weekend after seeing it in Boston. Thought it was in great shape and found that I enjoyed it more over-all now on Broadway. Also felt like Olivo/Tveit played off each other better than they did in Boston. Brought my family who hadn't seen it before and they also has a blast.

DramaTeach said: "This show had one of the worst audiences I’ve encountered. "

Seconded! I hated his audience. People humming/singing along - no we don't CARE that you know the song. A couple in front kept moving their whole body/heads. This is NOT a dance-along.

Both guys on either side of me decided to have their crinkly snack during the show -- one during Act 1, the other during Act 2. Every two seconds: *loud crinkle*. To their credit they completely stopped (after snacking just a little more! lol what!), after I pointed at their snack and said,"It's distracting". And I could hear everyone else crinkling their loud ass snacks all throughout the audience.

There was a guy who kept clapping at the end of a scene but I think he could have been autistic or something, so obviously I gave it a pass but everyone else kept laughing at it or making comments when it happened.

I did recognize all the songs except one that only went on for a line or two, and I was not amused by the gimmick, I hated it as I'd rather it be a proper jukebox where the song is sung in its entirety. It confounds me why every song was funny? The audience laughed every time it was a line from a new song. One "number" was just a string of these one-liners, and the audience laughed. at. every. line. of. a. new. song. ?????

I wanted to love it but the cards were not in its favor given I loathed the movie. I think anyone who loved the movie would like this show. I personally thought that Aaron Tveit was the only good thing in it, his voice and look worked very well for the character, so I'm surprised to see people didn't enjoy his performance. Actually, the choreography was quite good, too. The curtain call number was super fun and I wish that was the show I saw instead.

I agree that Aaron and Karen have zero chemistry. Also their voices sound awful together.

I saw this on Sunday. I loved every minute of it. I purposely did not look at the playbill, so each time a new song was sung, it was a pleasant surprise. The sets were breathtaking and the costumes gorgeous. The acting, singing and chemistry, in my opinion, was topnotch. Had only one ensemble member out. It was the best show of five I saw this trip. I have an acquaintance who wants to see this, but I know will hate it because of the score.

Just a quick question, where is the orchestra located for Moulin? I'm guessing somewhere backstage?

Jarethan said: "This performance it was Danny Burstyn who was out. His replacement gave a fine performance; however, anyone who has not seen Burstyn will not understand what they are missing. Burstyn was the soul of the show; his understudy is a talented performer."

"Burstein," not "Burstyn."

For fans of ''Moulin Rouge!,'' the BUILD series has done a deep dive into the making of the show. Their video interview features star Aaron Tveit, director Alex Timbers and music supervisor Justin Levine. They dish about the development of the show from screen to stage, and the challenge to getting the rights to the various pop/rock songs (and the stipulations involved). Levine, in particular, outlines how the Broadway version of ''The Elephant Love Medley'' differs from the movie version, and what it was like to deal with the Rolling Stones. Plus, Tveit gushes about co-star Karen Olivo and the ''surprising'' reaction of how well singing Adele works in Act II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS7okRkLnNU

Updated On: 10/14/19 at 01:12 AM

Funny some of us think they had chemistry and some of us don't. I thought Tveit gave one of the most bland/worst performances I've seen in awhile. Great voice, but just zero chemistry with the people he is connecting with, which made me not buy into the story and therefore I felt at an arms length the whole time and didn't connect emotionally to the show. But yeah it's a fun show to watch.

And I've zero doubt that this will get a ton of Tony awards. It just won't.

Here's the video of Aaron and Karen doing ''Your Song'' from ''Moulin Rouge!'' on ''The Late Show.'' They clearly enjoy singing together, and it's fun watching them watch each other. To me, their chemistry is incredible, & their voices blend beautifully. (How wonderful they were backed by an orchestra & got a standing O.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poLtclnVdnk

Updated On: 11/17/19 at 03:00 AM

I absolutely loved the show- thought it was inventive, sexy, contemporary and very creative- the most upbeat show ever. But, I would say- if you do not love contemporary music- if you really love symphonies and operas and really do not love more commercial sounds- I think you might hate this.

Was lucky enough to see it for the 3rd time Friday and loved it even from way in the back. It's the fun and escape we all need right now.