Theater Review – July 23, 2025

“MOULIN ROUGE” BRINGS BROADWAY TO ASU GAMMAGE IN AN ENTETRTAINING AND SPLASHY EXTRAVAGANZA

“Moulin Rouge”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The hit musical “Moulin Rouge” debuted to great acclaim and rave reviews in 2019 and now, finally, the show has made it to the Valley with a two-week run at ASU Gammage.

Was the long wait to see it worthwhile?  You bet.  It is an extravaganza rich with elaborate scenery, splashy costumes, and reworked but familiar pop song hits set within an 1899 story about the famed Paris nightclub and the over-the-top revues that still play there today.  A tragic love story between song writer Christian and Moulin Rouge star Satine that ends with her death use the splashy surroundings.

But leading up to the climax there is joyous gaiety as huge choreographic spectacles play out in performance and rehearsal.  John Logan’s book bounds along lushly based on the popular 2001 movie and the recognizable pop tunes, while re-orchestrated to fit the familiar story, are still telling love letters.

The predictable story and recycled tunes are a framework on which to display Sonya Tayeh’s dashingly glamourous dances that literally parade extravaginally all over the stage.  “Moulin Rouge’s” huge size actually fits the cavernous dimensions of the ASU Gammage stage.  Not only are the sets and costumes amazing but intricate and revealing lighting heightens the show’s marvelous look.  The show’s only miss is that the sound system refuses to let the audience understand all of the dialogue including some amusing baubles.

But the show’s richly rewarding look doesn’t deter a huge cast from creating very real and touching characters as the story unfolds.  Especially wonderful are the two leads Jay Armstrong Johnson’s thoughtful but inward Christian and Arianna Rosario’s out front and glamourous Satine who turns tragically sealed after her death diagnoses.

The multi-talented ensemble craft a series of fascinating people who dot the story with life’s reality. A superb orchestra under the flashy baton of Wendy Feaver makes the music plushily showy as it should be.

It is rare that the local Broadway series features such a big and excellently presented touring production.  You almost felt that you were in New York City enjoying a huge Broadway musical.  There is no solution but to get yourself to ASU Gammage before this grand and wonderfully entertaining “Moulin Rouge” closes.  “Moulin Rouge” plays through August 3. To order tickets, call the ASU Gammage box office at 480-965-3434 or order tickets online at www.asugammage.com.

Grade: A