Review: MOULIN ROUGE! Sparkles at Edmonton's Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Paris, 1899. A starry-eyed American poet arrives in the city’s Montmartre district. In less than 24 hours, he falls madly in love with its famous Moulin Rouge cabaret and its star performer: the glamorous courtesan, Satine. But hidden beyond the cabaret’s dazzling lights and plush red curtains are lurking debts that threaten to shut down the show for good. The Moulin Rouge’s only chance at survival depends on its upcoming new show funded by the sinister Duke of Monroth, who's also determined to buy Satine’s love.  

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s flamboyant 2001 movie musical, Moulin Rouge! beckons theatregoers into a strange, decadent world of cancan dancers, elaborate costumes, and free-flowing absinthe. After opening on Broadway in 2019, the show won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the hearts of theatregoers worldwide. Currently playing all over the world from New York to London to Seoul, Moulin Rouge!’s North American tour plays at Edmonton’s Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium until January 18. 

Just like its movie counterpart, Moulin Rouge! is a fast-paced musical extravaganza. Its jukebox score features 70 different pop songs including Lady Marmalade, Diamonds Are Forever, Royals, Your Song, Firework, Toxic, and Material Girl. The show is a whirlwind of song, dance, and concert-style lighting that is spectacular to behold. Its quieter numbers are equally captivating, especially Come What May, the famous romantic duet sung by protagonists Christian and Satine. It’s beautifully performed by leads Ryan Vazquez and Gabriela Carrillo, whose chemistry shimmers even brighter than the scene’s starry nighttime backdrop. Vazquez delivers a charming performance as the socially awkward Christian while Carrillo effortlessly portrays both Satine’s charisma and vulnerability.  

The rest of the cast is also magnetic. Bobby Daye is effervescent as the Moulin Rouge’s owner/emcee, Harold Zidler, while Danny Burgos and Kevyn Morrow bring comic relief as Christian’s new friends/fellow starving artists, Santiago and Toulouse-Lautrec. Moulin Rouge performer, Nini (Kaitlin Mesh), is Santiago’s love interest and dance partner in Act II opener Bad Romance and in the sultry El Tango de Roxanne. Rounding out the principal cast is Andrew Brewer, who delivers a chilling performance as the sleazy Duke of Monroth. The tension and loathing between the duke and Christian is palpable, particularly when Christian condemns the duke’s mistreatment of Satine. 

Despite the odds, Christian and Satine will stop at nothing to be together. Though their love story lacks development (they confess their feelings for each other on the evening they first meet), it’s impossible not to root for them. Their high stakes romance perfectly complements the extravagant but precarious world of Paris nightlife, resulting in a sweeping production worthy of its acclaim.

Moulin Rouge! runs at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium until January 18.