Moulin Rouge Colonial Theatre Previews — Page 19

I believe opening was rescheduled to July 29 to accommodate the later start of previews.

Oops, sorry. I meant audience reviews. I thought we'd get a few more in over the weekend from people who've seen it.

Dramamama, when I was there Wednesday night it ended at 10:55, I believe intermission was around 9:20?

I saw the show this past Saturday evening and overall enjoyed it but I agree with others that the book needs changes.

Seating: I sat in dress circle and felt *barely* had any room for my knees! Note to self that if I ever go back to the Colonial Theater to get orchestra or aisle seats. I'm 5'9 so I'm not that tall but I'd say anyone who is over 6'0 would definitely be uncomfortable. I sat in side mezz row F and felt it was a great full-view. The balcony overhang didn't block anything.
If I were to see the show again, I would probably get front row mezz or orchestra. I think sitting in front row orch is better than those special sparkling diamond seats as a lot of action does happen in that front section and I hate twisting.

Musical numbers: I haven't seen the movie in over 10 years but I do remember three songs: Elephant Love medley, Fly Away, and Come What May. Those are my favorite songs from the movie and that's probably why I was disappointed when Fly Away was not included and how Elephant Medley was changed.. Maybe I was just amazed with the scenic design and the dance numbers but overall I didn't get emotionally involved into the musical as I did when watching the movie.

Yes, I was certainly entertained with the dance songs and some of the modern songs added to the show. I did think the second act dragged a bit too long though.

Casting: No complaints from me. Comparing the way Karen Olivo portrays Satine with the way Nicole Kidman did in the movie, I can see how other people think Karen is not as delicate as Nicole. I'm not sure how to explain it but with Nicole, I can see how she can die of consumption. In the 2nd act of the show, I felt the whole TB cough just came out of nowhere (at least compared to the 1st act.)

As for the Duke, I think he's too gorgeous to be the Duke. I mean, if I were Satine I might pick him over Christian when based on looks alone. lmao.

Audience: There was at least one person behind me who was softly singing or humming through the songs that was annoying. The usher did make an announcement during intermission to be respectful of other people and not sing along, which everyone in my area appreciated!!!

Bottom Line: I think it can be a success when it comes to Broadway if they make changes in the book and hopefully get the rights to sing Fly Away. I do think movie fans will most likely be disappointed if the core songs from the movie are not there.

Thanks, Taboo! Tomorrow night!

I saw it this past Sunday. Spoilers ahead. Overall, I found it entertaining although still in need of development in certain areas. I'm glad I saw it and hopeful they'll keep revising it to make it even stronger. I got a lotto loser ticket in dress circle Row L center. It was a good seat for the price. I missed a few brief parts on the catwalk, but nothing was cut off at the top of the set. I could even see faces decently well from the second to last row.

The visual elements (set, lighting, costumes, choreography) are brilliant and utterly delightful. They hit the movie vibe perfectly. There was plenty of dazzling, highly stylized spectacle, but the designers also know when to go drab or bare for emotional effect. They will be in awards contention for sure.

The new songs were hit or miss for me. I wanted them to cut a few songs, especially in the first act. I felt there were too many medleys or overlapping songs. I couldn't settle into anything, and the jumping around made character development hard. It was also distracting because the audience constantly reacted to recognizing the song entrances instead of what was happening in the story even if it wasn't appropriate to laugh or cheer at that moment. We are Young didn't work for me with Children of the Revolution. Olivo sang Firework amazingly, but I much prefer Fly Away. It bothered me that it starts off with a lyric about July 4th when Satine would never reference an American holiday. Shake it Off felt a little awkward. On the other hand, the unique interpretation of Bad Romance worked great. It fit into the world of the show. I also liked Chandelier (or whatever that song is called) as the absinthe sequence song, but I wasn't familiar with that song before. I really wanted Come What May featured more.

The book had ups and downs. The new backstory about Satine and Zidler and the unrequited love between Lautrec and Satine developed those characters more and created some touching moments. It was a good choice to change the show within a show to something less offensive. I liked that Satine slept with the Duke from the start and did it to save her friends. It was logical, noble, and in character. I wanted a few more book-only scenes in act 1 to develop Christian's character and his relationship with Satine. Also, Satine went from one moment of illness in her first song to barely any reference to it until all of a sudden she's pretty much dead at the end. That felt abrupt. I agree with the previous commenter that the Duke felt too dropped at the end. Why wasn't he at the big opening of the performance he financed and had been watching all the rehearsals for? What logical reason did he have to give Zidler back the Moulin Rouge after Satine died as was dropped in a very quick last minute line of exposition in passing?

It didn't hit me emotionally as much as I wanted it to. I had a hard time feeling the love and chemistry between Satine and Christian. Olivo nailed the determination, sexiness, and strong aspects of Satine. I would have liked more glimpses of desperation and vulnerability sooner. All the supporting actors were wonderful, especially Danny Burstein, although I wished he had a bit more to sing in act 1. Tam Muto is sexy and sinister as the Duke. Sahr Ngaujah is soulful and entertaining as Lautrec.

Tviet sang wonderfully, but I had a hard time emotionally connecting with him aside from late in act 2. He did anguished better than lovestruck boy. Christian asks the audience to remember the first time you were in love when you view this story. I didn't feel that enough from him. I wanted more unrestrained boyish exuberance and the silliness of crazy dramatic first love. He felt emotionally guarded and a bit stilted, like he wasn't comfortable letting loose with the full joy of his love and his desperation to win Satine's heart. I wanted heart-rending, big, crumpling grief and not restrained quiet sobbing when she dies. It's very early in the run though, and I'm hoping he'll go in that direction more as he becomes more comfortable with the show. I don't want to sound too negative. His acting was fine, and his singing is awesome. Book changes would help with those issues too. I'm just routing for him to keep exploring some other takes.

Updated On: 7/23/18 at 03:30 PM

I saw the show last Wednesday, which seems to have been a hoppin’ day for BWWers at the Moulin Rouge. A lot of my feelings have already been addressed, so I’ll just add where I feel necessary.

I can’t not begin with the visuals because when you first walk into your seat, it’s so in your face. It can be a bit much if you’re not expecting it and I did hear a few people comment that the lights were too bright or that it felt like too much, but I personally think I’d feel disappointed if it was anything less. It’s intense and beautiful. Whenever the show does open on Broadway, they have nominations for scenic design, lighting, and costumes in the bag. The design they’re using with the show is so strong throughout and it doesn’t let anyone down.

Speaking of moving to Broadway, on Reed Luplua’s instagram takeover of the official Moulin Rouge account, he and a Ricky Rojas seemed to confirm the show is moving to Broadway next year. I believe their exact words were, “The plan is to move to Broadway next summer.”

I enjoy the movie, but I have no significant connection to it or the songs used, so the songs changes didn’t really upset me. They changed songs to make it more relevant to the audience experiencing the show for the first time. It’s been 17 years since the movie came out. The songs that made up the original Show are foreign to some of the audience. Sia, Lady Gaga, Rihanna are recognized. A girl about 15 or so was next to me and had to ask about to songs in the second act opener (Sweet Dreams are Made of This and Seven Nation Army). I found some songs changes peculiar because they didn’t flow in the medley they were in or where they were used. The biggest complaint I have is that right now, I don’t feel major chemistry between Satine and Christian or any major rivalry between the Duke and Christian. The Duke isn’t menacing or scary and I don’t think that’s the fault of Tam Mutu. I think it’s just how it’s written. But there just seems to be no passion there...to win and succeed or for love.

I have to point out Sahr Ngaujah as Toulouse Latrec. Holy. SH*T. Until I saw the show, I had no idea I needed to hear him leading a group of men singing Sia’s “Chandelier.” But I do. I need that in my life. I thought he was absolutely fabulous in what could easily become an overlooked role.

Right now, the show is still pushing 3 hours and it needs to lose, in my eyes, about 30-40 to minutes. There’s so many songs that they’re losing time to the audience cheering and clapping because hey, they know song! There’s also times where the inclusion of a song line or phrase just aren’t necessary. Yes, getting Rick rolled is funny, but it’s really not needed. They can do better. Cut out the little bits to keep the longer spans that work. Danny Burstein is one of musical theater national treasures. Please give him more material. I love Florence Welch, but Danny needs more.

The ensemble is killing it. They’re selling every second and they’re GOOD. Sonya Tayeh has put some outstanding dancing out there and it’s just going to get better.

I saw a few members of the creative team taking notes throughout the show, so at least through last week, they were still in Boston working on things. The weak link here is the book. I don’t think the book is unfixable, but it needs some help. It’s not keeping things moving the way it should or helping to fully develop our characters. I’m not sure how critics will take it. The bad points aren’t horrible, but the good points are GREAT. In New York, I think this could be one of the few, mighty critic proof shows.

It’s a very, very enjoyable show right now and it has the ability only to improve. If you go in expecting the movie on stage, you’ll be highly disappointed. It’s more then an “inspired by” story, but they’re telling us a different story about Satine and Christian this time. It’s not a bad story, but it’s not one many expected. If they used time wisely and were open to making cuts and changes, the show will do very, very, very well.

Updated On: 7/23/18 at 06:11 PM

Let me begin by saying this: Moulin Rouge is one of my favorite films. I am aware of its' divisiveness and the fact that it isn't for everyone. But I think its an absolute masterpiece. I am was incredibly excited to see this show. Unfortunately, I thought it was one of the most disappointing nights in the theatre I have ever had. I was aware of some of the changes prior to going in, but I wasn't prepared to be so let down by them. What was once a gorgeous, elegant, emotional, dynamic, and moving story has been reduced to a gaudy, campy affair completely missing any pathos, heart or soul. The story we all know and love is not on the stage of the Colonial. The only positive I can muster is that the cast is working their TAILS off to make this all work. There is significant talent on that stage.

John Logan's book is dreadful. Much of it is serviceable at best. No nuance or a firm grasp of what story they are trying to tell. There were many moments throughout in which myself and other members of the audience looked at each other in disbelief. There really isn't much of a structure to this story. The overall plot is the same, but that's basically where it ends. Every moment you thought would work beautifully on stage doesn't happen or is cut altogether.

The music arrangements are.....baffling. I'm not sure if there were rights issues, but the changes do nothing to service the storytelling. What made the usage of songs in the film so brilliant was that it felt like they were written FOR the film. There was a cohesiveness to it that made it feel organic. Not so in the musical. Satine's One Day I'll Fly Away (a great choice of song to develop a character) is now reduced to her wondering why she feels like a plastic bag. Literally. The inclusion of songs JUST for comedy or to be witty is unbelievably irresponsible. It has become Rock of Ages in the sense that everyone starts to laugh when they hear a new song added that vaguely fits the situation they're in. Dramatic moments were played for comedy. (Also even in 2001, the majority of those popular songs were not "modern". Bowie, early Elton John, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes were just great dramatic choices, they weren't flavor of the decade songs like the ones they are adding in).

Karen Olivo is talented as hell but miscast, unfortunately. She's working so hard but it just doesn't vibe. Aaron Tveit, also miscast imho, is giving a truly uninspired performance. And Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, and Sahr Ngaujah are the best people on the stage. Trying their absolute hardest to make it work. They are doing wonderful things.

My advice to the creatives is this: go back to the film, figure out why it is so iconic and so loved and bring that to life onstage. The movie has reached cult status and they went too far to make it their own. I admire the effort, but it NEEDS to be truly adapted from the film. This is a loose adaptation, at best. Do not add songs to be relevant. Have it serve the STORY. And if you are going to replace a song that existed in the film, have it be BETTER. Firework, Bad Romance, Shake it Off, Rolling in the Deep are not acceptable. Let the story speak for itself, let it breathe, have some true moments of quiet (Come What May & Nature Boy in the film). If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I realize that they couldn't just plop the film onstage. That is impossible. But the story and material contained in the film WORKS. It is dynamite source material. It is high drama and romance. Not anymore. It is completely disregarded. If you are looking for a pop concert, with loud singing and great dancing....this is your show. If you want a romance with great, dynamic characters and something that may move you to tears? Watch Baz Luhrmann's brilliant film instead. Give the fans and the piece the treatment it deserves. It breaks my heart to say this, but it is a total misfire.

Updated On: 7/24/18 at 11:55 AM

WHY does everyone assume the only goal that matters is Tony Awards? Or, at least, wait until it appears on bway before determining its fate. They certainly MIGHT make the changes necessary (if they deem that necessary.) Or maybe even see what the critics say about this version.



Also: it seems like the more you love the film, the less you like this.

millie12 said: "^^^^^ Which I think is inherently the problem. Why produce this musical adaptation of a film that has an enormous fan base at allif they're going to make it entirely different?

"

???

Because that's the point of musical theater? Putting something different out into the world for people to enjoy! If we just copied the film in question, we would have a Pretty Woman situation where the book is the movie's script word for word and most of the songs fall back into the realm of the film's plot.

To be completely honest, I am intrigued by how Firework is used in place of One Day I'll Fly Away. Same with Your Song, which has been the biggest criticism in terms of how it's been used in place of Come What May as Christian and Satine's love theme!

Updated On: 7/24/18 at 02:20 PM

Movie aside, this show has glitz and glamour but no heart. At least when it comes to the leads. It's that simple.

If the 2001 Moulin Rouge movie didn't have any songs then I think this stage adaptation would have been pretty good. However, the movie did have songs and now that it's going on stage, I think the majority of movie fans expect to hear those songs (or at least the main iconic ones).

The main reason I was disappointed they cut out "One Day I'll Fly Away" is because I felt it was Satine's song where she sings of hope. It's similar to Ariel's song "Part of Your World" in The Little Mermaid or Eliza's "Wouldn't it be Loverly" in My Fair Lady. Sure, it would be good to hear Satine sing "Firework" but I woudn't pay Broadway prices to do so. Off-bway prices, sure!

It's interesting but I just realized Amelie was also a 2001 hit film that recently went on Bway. From what I recall, the main reason why it didn't succeed is because fans of the movie just didn't feel the same magic and charm as they did when watching the film. As for the preview I saw last weekend, I didn't feel the same emotions I did when watching the film either; but these actors definitely have talent. I think the main issue is with the book and if they can bring the iconic songs back, I think it would be great.

millie12 said: "Let me begin by saying this: Moulin Rouge is one of my favorite films. I am aware of its' divisiveness and the fact that it isn't for everyone. But I think its an absolute masterpiece. I am was incredibly excited to see this show. Unfortunately, I thought it was one of the most disappointing nights in the theatre I have ever had. I was aware of some of the changes prior to going in, but I wasn't prepared to be so let down by them. What was once a gorgeous, elegant, emotional, dynamic, and moving story has been reduced to a gaudy, campy affair completely missing any pathos, heart or soul. The story we all know and love is not on the stage of the Colonial. The only positive I can muster is that the cast is working their TAILS off to make this all work. There is significant talent on that stage.

John Logan's book is dreadful. Much of it is serviceable at best. No nuance or a firm grasp of what story they are trying to tell. There were many moments throughout in which myself and other members of the audience looked at each other in disbelief. There really isn't much of a structure to this story. The overall plot is the same, but that's basically where it ends. Every moment you thought would work beautifully on stage doesn't happen or is cut altogether.

The music arrangements are.....baffling. I'm not sure if there were rights issues, but the changes do nothing to service the storytelling. What made the usage of songs in the film so brilliant was that it felt like they were written FOR the film. There was a cohesiveness to it that made it feel organic. Not so in the musical.Satine's One Day I'll Fly Away (a great choice of song to develop a character) is now reduced to her wondering why she feels like a plastic bag. Literally. The inclusion of songs JUST for comedy or to be witty is unbelievably irresponsible. It has become Rock of Ages in the sense that everyone starts to laugh when they hear a new song added that vaguely fits the situation they're in. Dramatic moments wereplayed for comedy. (Also even in 2001, the majority of those popular songs were not "modern". Bowie, early Elton John, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes were just great dramatic choices, they weren't flavor of the decade songs like the ones they are adding in).

Karen Olivo is talented as hell but miscast, unfortunately. She's working so hard but it just doesn't vibe. Aaron Tveit, also miscast imho,is giving a truly uninspired performance. And Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, and Sahr Ngaujah are the best people on the stage. Trying their absolute hardest to make it work. They are doing wonderful things.

My advice to the creatives is this: go back to the film, figure out why it is so iconic and so loved and bring that to life onstage. The movie has reached cult status and they went too far to make it their own. I admire the effort, but it NEEDS to be truly adapted from the film. This is a loose adaptation, at best. Do not add songs to be relevant. Have it serve the STORY. And if you are going to replace a song that existed in the film, have it be BETTER. Firework, Bad Romance, Shake it Off, Rolling in the Deep are not acceptable. Let the story speak for itself, let it breathe, have some true moments of quiet (Come What May & Nature Boy in the film).If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I realize that they couldn't just plop the film onstage. That is impossible. But the story and material contained in the film WORKS. It is dynamite source material. It is high drama and romance. Not anymore. It is completely disregarded. If you are looking for a pop concert, with loud singing and great dancing....this is your show. If you want a romance with great, dynamic characters and something that may move you to tears? Watch Baz Luhrmann's brilliant film instead. Give the fans and the piece the treatment it deserves. It breaks my heart to say this, but it is a total misfire."

Very insightful review. Since there are things about the show that worked for me, I can't call it a total misfire. However, on one level or another, I agree with just about everything you've written here.

Miles2Go2 said: "First, let me say I have not seen the stage production, but my interpretation of “One Day I’ll Fly Away” in the movie is different than Wick3’s. I see it as a song that foreshadowsSatine’s death. I’m not sure that occurred to me until I rewatched it recently. Unless they’ve reworked the arrangement of Firework, I dont’t see it working the same way. It’s an over-the-top celebratory song. There’s a reason it has been embraced by gay pride festivities. It’s proclaiming self-pride in a society that wants to put you down. Not saying there’s not a place for it in the stage production, but it wouldn’t seem to be a suitable replacement for the more nuanced, subtle song it replaces. And I agree with someone else who said that a reference to the Fourth of July would seem jarring in this show. Is it? Just the thoughts of someone who is intrigued by this show, but hasn’t seen it."

It comes after a labored scene with one of the dancers/singers who doesn't want the Moulin Rouge to close and end up back on the streets. I didn't think the song was really reworked. It might be a bit slower but still very defiant.