Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:53am
First time poster (and account holder), long time reader.
I saw the show last night. I was a little upset it was the first show due to the bldg problems, as I’d rather have seen it after the cast had some runs under their belt.
The Theatre is beautiful, but plan to stand in line getting in. They sent an email a day or so ahead warning everyone to arrive 45 mins early to get thru security, etc. They weren’t joking. There was an usher standing in front of the Theatre warning everyone of no bags allowed, purses ok, but no bags of any sort. They wouldn’t even let the person in front of us bring their leftovers from dinner in.
The vibe in the lobby was anxious. Because the house doors didn’t open until 7:45, you not only felt the venue staff feeling giddy because of their opening night, but you could feel it form the Moulin Rouge production folks as well.
When you walk into the theatre, you become giddy with the lavish pre-set of the production. It is absolutely breathe taking and the pictures don’t do it justice. If you want the entire look, you need to sit upstairs as the drapery, chandeliers, etc hang over the audience until Row M. You don’t miss anything sitting in the orchestra, but you don’t see the entire look of the set.
I haven’t seen the movie since the early 2000’s and quite honestly, don’t remember any details, so I couldn’t tell you what transferred from the movie to the stage. With this being said, I’ll give you some quick thoughts.
About 10 minutes before the show starts, the ensemble cast members start milling around stage to set the mood of the “Moulin Rouge”. I couldn’t see anyone engaging the audience, just with each other.
The show immediately starts in the Moulin Rouge. About 15 minutes into the Show, we get the introduction of Satine. Just before her entrance, we jump back to give us the backstory of who Christian, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Santiago are and how they meet. Once this is over, we immediately get “Diamonds” from Satine. During Diamonds, we get a real quick “slow motion” of Satine coughing and dropping to her knees. What bothered me, is we don’t see or hear about any of her illness until a good 15 minutes into act 2. Once they re-introduce this illness in act 2, the book knocks you over the head with it, but honestly you don’t care because it wasn’t addressed throughout, it doesn’t touch you emotionally, yet this is how she dies.
From the time Olivo comes down from the ceiling, she owns the stage. She was ready to play ball tonight and by far the star of this show. The songs she sings, especially Firework, just remind us that it’s time for her to return the NY stage. A friend I was with had a really hard time with her not being Blonde and Nicole Kidman. I saw no problems.
Tviet was fine in this role tonight, his acting is on par and takes you through an emotional journey. I don’t think it’s him, I think it’s the book he’s been given and the songs he sings.
For example – In Act 2, there is a scene when Christian is encouraged to drink a “green elixir” to forget his love for Satine. This is where they sing Chandelier. The trio did not sing this very well together and I just wanted to hear Tviet sing it. I think if he sung this alone, you’d be hearing the same remarks about him and Chandelier and you do with Olivo and Firework. The arrangement of Roxanne just doesn’t give him enough. I hope that when this comes to Broadway, his part has been cleaned up to give him the role to make him shine.
At the opening of act 2, it’s introduced that there are two backstage romances, Satine and Christian, as well as Santiago and Nini. Rojas and Hurder are incredibly sexy together and start what was the showstopper of the night, Bad Romance. At the end of this number there was at least a minute of applause and a few people standing. The ensemble is top notch and the choreography for this number alone will get a nomination.
For the Duke, he’s too sexy to be evil. You don’t despise him and quite honestly don’t understand why Satine wouldn’t choose him. Either he needs to become a creepy type or become overly arrogant that you don’t want to be around him.
For now, this is all I can remember a day later.
