Theater Review: "Moulin Rouge! The Musical Tour at the Bushnell

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is the spectacle at The Bushnell in Hartford, filling the stage of Mortensen Hall with romance, glitz, high-energy dancing and eye-popping lighting. Performances continue in Hartford through Dec. 3.

The musical is based on the 2001 film. The story, set in the Belle Epoch in Paris, tells the story of a young composer who falls in love with Satine, an aging cabaret performer who is the star of the Moulin Rouge. The show is labeled a jukebox musical, but it is unique in that the score features original songs mixed with popular music, and often only a few recognizable bars of the pop tunes from various eras. Because there are so many songs mashed into each “track,” they are simply given titles that indicate the location. The program does not include a musical numbers list, but the music credits in tiny type span three pages.

The show is set in Paris, where colorful Bohemians interact with the aristocracy. The spectacle is based on the Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, but has been remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. The tour is directed by Alex Timbers and includes a book by John Logan, music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements and additional lyrics by Justin Levine and excellent choreography by Sonya Tayeh.

The Moulin Rouge cabaret is referred to in the script as “a state of mind.” This show is
a visually and vocally impressive theatrical celebration of the Bohemian ideas of “Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.” All of the elements come together so effectively that I enjoyed this musical more than I expected. It was fun to recognize the popular tunes in the mash ups, while marveling at the heart pounding choreography. There is also some well-timed comedy sprinkled into the script to balance the romantic drama.

High praise goes to Justin Townsend for truly incredible lighting design throughout the two acts. While the red rotating spotlights can be blinding before the performance begins and during intermission, the often stunning lighting choices enhance every aspect of this production.

The multi-layered set is described in the program as a “work of theatrical imagination in the spirit of the Moulin Rouge of Paris.” It is an ever changing visual of Paris in 1899, inside the Moulin Rouge cabaret and in various sections of the city.

Gabrielle McClinton portrays the beautiful Satine, the performer who has endured a hard life. McClinton originated the role of Andelina Baker in “Paradise Square” on Broadway and has starred as the Leading Player in “Pippin.” Christian Douglas is superb in the role of his namesake Christian, the up and coming composer. Douglas made his New York City debut as Charlie Price in the Off-Broadway revival of “Kinky Boots.”

Robert Petkoff (“Ragtime,” “Spamalot” on Broadway) makes the most of his role as Moulin Rouge director/ringmaster Harold Zidler. Nick Rashad Burroughs (“Tina” as Ike Turner) gets to play the French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Andrew Brewer, who was the Christian standby on Broadway, is the classic villain as the controlling Duke of Monroth. Danny Burgos, who was the Emilio standby in “On Your Feet” on Broadway, plays the juicy role of Santiango.

Featured dancers are Nicci Claspell as Arabia, Max Heitmann as Baby Doll, Harper Miles as La Chocolat. Kamal Lado steps out of the ensemble to portray Pierre. The ensemble is made up of talented dancers that get to wear a wide variety of sparkly and skimpy costumes. Costume designer Catherine Zuber uses feathers, beautifully detailed stockings, and bustiers, as well as inspired pastels for the aristocrats in the second act. Don’t miss one onstage change. Tamrin Goldberg is the dance captain.

Sarah Bowden has more to do as Nini in the second act and dances beautifully, especially the French cancan. Bowden was in the ensemble of the Broadway company.

The orchestra conducted by music director Andrew Graham manages to keep up with the ever changing arrangements and sound full.

The performance is presented with one intermission and runs 2 hours, 40 minutes. There is smoking during the pre show with sword swallowers and suggestive dancing and themes.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.
Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.