Moulin Rouge | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Lexus Broadway in Boston presents sizzling and spectacular ‘Moulin Rouge the Musical’

Posted on February 4, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Moulin Rouge is sizzling, romantic and grand scale entertainment perfect just before Valentine’s Day.

Boasting Derek McLane’s lavish and sophisticated heart-shaped sets fueled by Justin Townsend’s vivid lighting so vibrant that could be its own character and Catherine Zuber’s edgy, timely and shimmering costumes, Moulin Rouge the Musical is a glorious spectacle right from the start blending its unique delivery of a multi-generational jukebox musical soundtrack as well as lively and athletic choreography that makes an immediate impact.

The cast of the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Nothing less could be expected from director Baz Luhrmann, who is not only behind the 1997 frenetic film of the same name in which the musical is based on starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, but has a creative hand in the musical’s signature style. Filled with popular songs of its time, Moulin Rouge has always been a lavish and wild celebration of desire, the rigid social class divide and first love, but somehow Moulin Rouge the Musical harnesses these rich themes on a considerably larger scale and it is nothing short of a feast for the eyes.

Winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical and directed by Alex Timbers, Lexus Broadway in Boston presents Moulin Rouge the Musical live and in person at Citizens Bank Opera House through Sunday, February 4. The show is 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission and has some content not suitable for children. Click here for more information and for tickets. Click here for Moulin Rouge’s national tour schedule.

Not only does Moulin Rouge The Musical contain a wide range of sharp and slinky choreography by Sonya Tayah, but features distinct characters with powerful vocals that make lasting impressions. Robert Petkoff brings enthusiasm, poetic and flamboyant charisma to Moulin Rouge’s nightclub master of ceremonies Harold Zidler starting with an incredible first appearance in Welcome to the Moulin Rouge further embellished by a fierce foursome who sang Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, and Mya’s Lady Marmalade first made famous combined with an even catchier and colorful Can Can Can.

Adéa Michelle-Sessoms and Jennifer Wolfe in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Sarah Bowden as Nini is a sensational dancer and alongside Danny Burgos as Santiago sure know how to turn up the heat. Burgos and Bowden make a sultry and flirtatious pair especially in the catchy and cathartic Backstage Romance with the cast featuring music from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and the Eurthymics.

Gabe MartInez as Santiago and Libby-Lloyd as Nini in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

In a top hat and thick mustache, Andrew Brewer is cunning as distinguished and wealthy businessman The Duke of Monroth. He seems good to be true and has an agenda all his own. Nick Rashad Borroughs as Toulouse-Lautrec performs a wonderful and moving rendition of Nature Boy and shares warm and humorous camaraderie with Christian Douglas as Christian and Danny Burgos as they advise Christian about life at the Moulin Rouge.

David Harris as The Duke of Monroth in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Christian Douglas is captivating as naïve, charming, and idealistic Christian. Christian is a promising American artist and songwriter longing for his big break. At the Moulin Rouge in Paris, he sets eyes on Moulin Rouge’s confident, complex, and ambitious main attraction Satine, portrayed splendidly by Gabrielle McClinton. McClinton, decked out in a black and diamond ensemble, proves herself a versatile showstopper in The Sparkling Diamond singing snippets from Beyonce, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe and Rihanna with over the top dramatic flair, sensuality, and commanding vocals. Douglas and McClinton bring gorgeous harmony together for Elephant Love Medley featuring Come What May and Silly Love Songs. Christian also performs a haunting and fiery rendition of El Tango de Roxanne.

Courtney Reed as Satine in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Moulin Rouge the Musical offers many exciting surprises that will not all be revealed here. The swift and complex orchestration by Music Director Andrew Graham and sound designer Peter Hylenski uniquely integrates a selection of hit songs with unpredictable humor and drama. It is a fast paced firecracker of a love story that is as edgy as it is moving. Don’t miss the chance to see Moulin Rouge The Musical.

Winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical and directed by Alex Timbers, Lexus Broadway in Boston presents Moulin Rouge the Musical live and in person at Citizens Bank Opera House through Sunday, February 4^th. The show is 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission and has some content not suitable for children. Click here for more information and for tickets. Click here for Moulin Rouge the Musical’s national tour schedule.

REVIEW: Fueled by Go-Gos pop-punk nostalgia, The Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘Head Over Heels’ a frothy farce with a unique beat

Posted on April 27, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

The expression, ‘Out with the old, in with the new’ takes on new meaning for Umbrella Stage Company’s dynamic musical, Head Over Heels, a gender-bending jukebox musical comedy which includes a case of mistaken identity that integrates the renaissance with contemporary themes and the 80s in Arcadia, a land that thrives on a beat. If that seems like a lot, it’s because this ambitious show tackles a lot in its approximately 2-hour time frame.

The cast of ‘Head over Heels’ Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

With resourceful direction by Brian Boruta, The Umbrella Stage Company presents Head Over Heels the Musical live and in person at the beautifully-renovated Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street in Concord, MA through Sunday, May 8. This show may not be appropriate for young children. Click here for more information at for tickets.

Who else to handle a beat but the Go-Gos! Following a string of jukebox musicals such as Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! (featuring music from Abba), Movin’ Out (featuring music from Billy Joel), Good Vibrations (featuring music from the Beach Boys), Moulin Rouge and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (both which deliver covers of contemporary pop songs), 80s pop princesses the Go-Gos handle this production’s unique beat. This lighthearted show highlights many of the Go-Gos snappy, feel-good numbers such as Vacation, Our Lips are Sealed, Head Over Heels, and We Got the Beat along with some lesser known tracks that don’t land as well.

Kai Clifton as Pythio and cast Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Head Over Heels is lively and cheerful in presentation from overhead neon lights, versatile surrounding white columns, and a live band veiled behind translucent curtains onstage by set designer Janie Howland to bold and bright period costumes in pink, green, and yellow weaving 80s glam with a rock-n-roll edge by Brian Simon and Johnny Cagno to the rollicking, up-tempo choreography by Lara Finn Banister.

Temma Boudreau as Philoclea and John Breen as Musidorus Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Based loosely on Sir Phillip Sidney’s The Arcadia, Head Over Heels is a farce that follows a few Arcadian love stories with one taking a cue from Shakespeare as love struck shepherd Musidorus, portrayed by John Breen, must disguise himself in order to gain approval to marry Princess Pilocleas, portrayed by Temma Beaudrea. Beaudrea and Breen have a brimming, awkward, and excitable chemistry as they fight not only the royal rules, but the predictions from a mysterious oracle that ultimately sees the kingdom’s demise unless things change. Meanwhile, Philocleas’s sister, Pamela, portrayed with humorous narcissism by Bri Ryder, is proclaimed fairest in the land, but a groom might not be what she has her sights on after all.

Damon Singletary as Basilius Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Damon Singletary as King Basilius brings gravitas and humor to the king’s bombastic nature while Kate Pickett’s flirty and dry sarcasm makes Gynecia a scene stealer. Robert Saoud as Dametas portrays the sympathetic and seemingly sole voice of reason. While the majority of the characters are so fixated on what each of them wants, Dametas and Kai Clifton, a commanding presence as Pythio, may be the only ones capable of seeing the bigger picture. Singletary and Saoud deliver some amusing scenes together as they share differing outlooks on this kingdom’s shaky ground.

Katie Pickett with cast Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

The humor ranges from irreverent to absurd to charming. Head over Heels makes some deliberate and clever points in its storytelling, but can get more fixated on what each character stands for rather than giving the characters more depth. However, If you enjoy a frivolous farce dipped in 80s nostalgia, this “trifle” as Sir Phillip Sidney has called his prose, this one may be for you.

The Umbrella Stage Company presents Head Over Heels the Musical live and in person at the beautifully-renovated Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street in Concord, MA through Sunday, May 8. This show may not appropriate for young children. Click here for more information at for tickets.