Moulin Rouge, the musical adaptation of the 2001 movie, provides audiences with an exhilarating blend of powerful voices and vibrant movement. While Derek McLane’s sets and Catherine Zuber’s lavish costumes certainly contribute, its stars are its performers who steal the show.
This week marks the national tour’s kickoff at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center, with Libby Lloyd as Satine and Gabe Martinez as Santiago, amongst others, taking to the stage.
Libby Lloyd (Nini)
Libby Lloyd, currently understudying Satine, gives an outstanding performance as Nini. Her sultry voice bursts with energetic dancing for club MC Harold Zidler (a remarkable Austin Durant). She makes for an ideal pairing with Courtney Reed as Satine – both women are truly captivating performers!
Conor Ryan excels as Christian, Satine’s naive lover. His singing and acting performances carry his character well – his only flaw is when expressing emotion by often bending his knees, which becomes distracting.
Andre Ward shines as Toulouse-Lautrec Gabe Martinez makes for an irresistibly charming Santiago, while Emily McNulty shines as Nini’s sister Tinovimbanashe Sibanda stands out as La Chocolat, and all ensemble members shine brilliantly with Can-Can dancing and outrageous costumes reminiscent of Moulin Rouge’s Cabaret name sake – not forgetting Tinovimbanashe Sibanda who plays Tinovimbanashe Sibanda as La Chocolat! Notably noted is Tinovimbanashe Sibanda as La Chocolat, while ensemble members bring plenty of energy, kicking, and high-stepping throughout this magnificent production and show it won awards – you must experience it for yourself to fully grasp its incredible production value! The award-winning musical’s national tour must not be missed – don’t miss this lavish extravaganza that must not be experienced!
Gabe Martinez (Santiago)
Gabe Martinez will make his Broadway debut as Santiago at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. He first originated the role during Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s First National Tour. He joins Courtney Reed as Satine, Casey Cott as Christian, Eric Anderson as Harold Zidler, Andre Ward as Toulouse-Lautrec, and David Harris as The Duke of Monroth; Oyoyo Joi will alternate as Satine while Sophie Carmen-Jones takes over Nini’s part while Alexander Gil Cruz and Ricardo Zayas understudy Santiago’s role.
This musical hit Broadway in 2019 and immediately won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on the 2001 movie of the same name, its book by John Logan and direction/choreography by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers are complemented by music supervision/orchestration from Rob Townsend as well as lyrics penned by Tim Rice; Rob Townsend handles music supervision with a score by Alan Menken (Tony Award Winner) complemented by set/costume design from Derek McLane and Catherine Zuber respectively.
Martinez is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and an experienced performer on cruise ships and wedding bands. He has appeared in productions such as Peter and the Starcatcher (Slank), In the Heights (Usnavi), Hair (Berger), and Sister Act. Tommy Gedrich, who plays The Duke of Monroth in Sister Act, shares an affinity with Martinez; both attended Muhlenberg and performed together in Hair before starting freshman year at college.
Conor Ryan (Christian)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film set during fin-de-siecle Paris, opens its North American tour next February in Chicago at Nederlander Theatre. Courtney Reed from Elgin plays Satine opposite Conor Ryan of Chicago as Christian in this production co-written and directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers; 14 Tony nominations, including Best Musical, were nominated but ultimately lost out to Hamilton at this year’s Tony Awards ceremony. I caught up with Nicci Claspell, one of the Arabians who plays Arabia (one of The Lady Marmalades), for an interview before heading into rehearsals last weekend – a discussion that went well beyond mere words!
Adrienne Balducci, Andrew Brewer, Jack Cahill-Lemme, Darius Crenshaw, Alexis De Barr, Tamrin Goldberg, Jordan Fife Hunt, Adam J Levy, Pepe Munoz Preston Taylor, Ayden Pratt, and Shaun-Avery Williams make up this cast. Scenic designer Derek McLane, of Tony Award fame, designed this tour’s scenic elements; costume designer Catherine Zuber also won an Oscar; Tony Award recipient Justin Townsend did lighting design, while sound design came courtesy of Peter Hylenski, who won another Tony. Carmen Pavlovic and Bill Damaschke of Global Creatures produce this show, along with associate producer Jeff Richard and general manager Mark Fisher. Associate director Darren Clark serves alongside Scott Paskoff as choreographer; David Brian Brown (wig and hair design); Sarah Cimino (makeup design); and Tony Award nominee Robyn S. Heard, who provides musical supervision.
Peter Ho (Toulouse-Lautrec)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical will kick off its North American Tour March 19, 2022, at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre before playing at Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre (May 18 – May 14, 2022), Buell Theatre of Denver (June 9 – 26 2022) and Los Angeles Hollywood Pantages Theatre from September 7 – September 4, 2022.2 Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers direct the production with a book by John Logan and choreography by Sonya Tayeh; music supervision orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award-winner Justin Levine; while music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award-winner Justin Levine; all made for Broadway!
Peter Ho has replaced Alfie Gledhill as Toulouse-Lautrec understudy, with Brittany Ford taking her place. Kara Sims will now serve as Baby Doll’s understudy instead. For other roles, Oliver Adam-Reynolds, Ross Chisari, James Chisholm, Joshua Robinson Callum Crowe, Kira McPherson, Bahiyah Hibah, and Tasia Jungbauer serve as understudies.
Toulouse-Lautrec was best known for his paintings depicting drinkers, nightclub dancers, and prostitutes that captured various human emotions from desire to detachment and boredom. His disdain for bourgeois values extended into his artistic style: instead of glossy surfaces of salon paintings, he featured rough, sketchy canvases that gave images an unfinished appearance.
Tinovimbanashe Sibanda (La Chocolat)
Baz Luhrmann’s iconic film comes to life in an incredible new West End production that bursts with color, passion, and eye-popping splendor. It follows the story of two lovestruck writers-one writing romance novels and one performing as part of Moulin Rouge cabaret-who risk their lives to pursue their dangerous dream of making history together.
Liisi LaFontaine (Good Trouble and Dreamgirls) will star as Satine at the heart of Moulin Rouge cabaret; Jamie Bogyo makes his West End debut as Christian, an aspiring writer. Olivier Award nominee Clive Carter (Into the Woods and Come From Away) plays legendary Moulin Rouge impresario Harold Zidler.
Matt Rixon from Heathers The Musical will portray Zidler’s adversary, Duke Monroth; Ian Carlyle (Disney’s The Lion King/Porgy and Bess), Ben Richards from Emmerdale/The Bill, respectively; join as Toulouse Lautrec/Santiago while Sophie Carmen Jones from Jersey Boys Matilda/Nini as Nini while Zoe Birkett from Hair/Priscilla Queen of the Desert/Hair will make their mark as Arabia, Timmika Ramsay from Madagascar/Cinderella/ Madagascar as Baby Doll while Jonathan Bishop (Jersey Boys/Hamilton/Heatherin/Le Chocolat).
Hannah Jay-Allan of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical returns as Arabia, and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure will assume La Chocolat for some performances. Tiago Dhondt Bamberger reprises Baby Doll; Bernadette Bangura of My Fair Lady plays La Chocolat, while Alicia Emmanuel from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays Aphrodite. The ensemble members include Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, who plays Baby Doll, while Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady will perform La Chocolat for specific performances. Bernadette Bangura plays La Chocolat while Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady will play her La Chocolat during specific performances; Tiago Dhondt Bamberger takes over Baby Doll duties while Bernadette Bangura will cover La Chocolat while Bernadette Bangura of My Fair Lady portrays La Chocolat while Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady plays La Chocolat; while Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady describes La Chocolat; while Alicia Emmanuel from Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays Aphrodite and Alicia Emmanuel from Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat join Alicia Emmanuel from Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays Aphrodite role for some performances; Tiago Dhondt Bamberger from My Fair Lady Bernadette Bangura plays La Chocolat from My Fair Lady is played Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady from My Fair Lady from My Fair Lady Bernadette Bangura as La Chocolat played La Chocolat herself and Bernadette Bangura from My Fair Lady from Joseph is played Bernad Emmanuel from Joseph also Berna Emmanuel from Joseph plays Joseph As Aphro Emmanuel plays Aphrodite herself is Bernads Joseph as Aphrodite for him whil Bernadatte from Bernadetta Bangura as Bernadetta Bangura from Bernadetta Bangura played La Chocolat who played La Chocolat (My Fair Lady and Bernad Alicia Alicia (My Fair Lady etc by Berna as La Chocola and finally Berna who played La Chocola (My Fair Lady Berna (My Fair Lady LaCho B Bangura playing Berna Bura (My Fair Lady from My Fair Lady who is Berna (My Fair Lady (My Fair Lady from My Fair Lady who played La ChocolaT and Berna (My Fair Lady before Joseph and finally joined later on ). Berna Bangura herself later) performing Bangura who played her during Joseph And The Amazing Techn). and Berna)Bung. Bangura). Tangura while Berna) played LaCr) while Bangura) played La Chocolate)and Berna) later). Berna). Finally) Berna Alicia). Bangura). Berna ) to La Chocolate). Berna before Finally). Bangura My Fair Lady Berna (My Fair Lady!) than Bangura [My Fair Lady) I then joined Berna Alicia Emmanuel, who played LaChcolaT as Aphrodite! Alicia Emmanuel Joseph) Joseph And The Amazing Techn Colour Dreamcoat also performed as Aphrodite (My Fair Lady), Berna later from My Fair Lady later On Gar She Alicia Emmanuel, who later on played her and Berna Emmanuel). She finally played Aphrodite; Berna) Bangura played La ChocolaT) then, finally (My Fair
Amy Thornton (Arabia)
She was one of the founding members of the United Women’s Organisation, one of several key organizations in consumer boycotts and stay-away movements that led to regime change. Additionally, she played an essential role in forming the United Democratic Front as one of its first parties to hold elections after ending the state of emergency.
Courtney Reed will star as Satine alongside Conor Ryan as Christian and Austin Durant as Harold Zidler; the additional cast includes Andre Ward as Toulouse-Lautrec; Gabe Martinez as Santiago and Nini Lloyd from Libby Lloyd as Nini, while Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer will serve as Satine Alternate.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film, boasts a book by Tony Award-winner John Logan with music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by multiple Grammy Award winner Justin Levine. Directed by Tony Award-winning Alex Timbers with choreography by Sonya Tayeh (Tony Award Winner of 2021 Tony Awards for Original Broadway Cast recordings). Moulin Rouge! It will open in Chicago at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on March 19. For more information, visit the show’s official website here
Toyon Thomas-Brown (Baby Doll)
Before its premiere night in Los Angeles, iHeartRadio Broadway had the privilege of speaking with members of Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s North American tour cast. Courtney Reed (Satine), Conor Ryan (Christian), Austin Durant (Harold Zidler) and Andre Ward (Toulouse-Lautrec). David Harris, as The Duke of Monroth, joins Gabe Martinez (Santiago) while Libby Lloyd takes on Nini, and Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer acts as Satine’s alternate.
Olutayo Bosede, Jeigh Madjus, Bahiyah Hibah, Ericka Hunter, and Paloma Garcia-Lee are among those performing in this ensemble of dancers, singers, and actors: Amber Ardolino, Natori Illidge Erin Bell Ross Chisari Serenar Douch are understudies for this show.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is an exhilarating theater production about Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — most of all — Love. Featuring some of the greatest songs ever heard on stage today and some iconic pop hits. Alex Timbers (Here Lies Love at the National Theatre, Peter and the Starcatcher), with a book by Tony Award winner John Logan (Red), choreography by Sonya Tayeh (Lucille Lortel Award nomination – Kung Fu) and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements provided by Justin Levine (Here Lies Love). Derek McLane designed the sets, Catherine Zuber created the costumes, and Justin Townsend provided the lighting design. The original Broadway cast album for this musical debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Top Cast Albums chart and can be purchased as CD, vinyl, or digital files.
