After a pre-Broadway engagement at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre in 2018, Moulin Rouge! The Musical premiered on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 25 July 2019 — making history as the first Australian-produced musical to originate on Broadway.
By early 2020, the production was riding high. Ticket sales were strong, and anticipation was building ahead of the Tony Awards that Spring. But on 12 March, everything changed. The COVID-19 pandemic forced Broadway to go dark, plunging the theatre industry, both in New York and around the world, into an unprecendented pause.
What followed was a remarkable story of resilience. Led by the producers, creatives and techncial team, hundreds of actors, musicians, crew members and support staff endured, adapted and held fast to their vision. Their perserverance ensured that the show would not only return, but continue to thrive.
Since then, the show has built a reputation as a must-see Broadway hit. In 2021, the production earned an impressive 14 Tony Award nominations and took home 10 wins, including Best Musical. See the full list of awards below.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Broadway has had more than 2 million admissions since returning from the pandemic and has entertained audiences with almost 2,000 performances. It is the only show still running from the cohort of productions that opened in the year of COVID.
Since opening, the show has seen a dynamic rotation of principal cast members, each leaving a distinct mark on the production. The original cast featured Aaron Tveit as Christian and Karen Olivo as Satine, whose compelling performances helped shape the tone of the show. Tveit won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, while Olivo received a nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Following the original run, the role of Satine was taken on by powerhouse performers including Natalie Mendoza, Ashley Loren, Courtney Reed, Joanna “JoJo” Levesque and Solea Pfeiffer. The role of Christian has been carried forward by a talented lineup of performers ,including Derek Klena, Casey Cott, John Cordoza, Jordan Fisher and Christian Douglas.
The role of Harold Zidler, the flamboyant emcee of the Moulin Rouge, has also seen a parade of charismatic talent. Danny Burstein, part of the original cast, won a Tony Award for his performance. Later, the role was taken on by Eric Anderson, Robert Petkoff, Titus Burgess, Austin Durant and Wayne Brady. British pop star Boy George made his debut as Harold Zidler in 2024, and due to popular demand, returned for a second limited run in the Spring of 2025.
BILL DAMASCHKE
Bill Damaschke, an acclaimed producer with an impressive career in both film and theatre, joined the production early in its development. Much of the show’s colours are owed to Bill, who played a pivotal role in navigating the complex creative development process and was an outstanding collaborator.
FORESIGHT THEATRICAL
We partner with Foresight Theatrical, the general management team behind Broadway and the North American tour. Foresight was there from the beginning, providing expert guidance and unwavering support throughout the production’s evolution. They continue to manage the day-to-day operations, logistics and financial oversight. Their deep understanding of Broadway operations and collaborative spirit make them invaluable allies, and they have been a cornerstone of the musical’s international rollout and its ongoing success.
With every curtain rise, the legacy of Moulin Rouge! The Musical grows brighter – an ever-evolving celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.
WORLDWIDE
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL WEST END
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL WORLD TOUR
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL NETHERLANDS
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL GERMANY
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL KOREA
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL JAPAN
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL AUSTRALIA
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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
Credit EVAN ZIMMERMAN
Creatives
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Jenny Anderson
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
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Credit Matthew Murphy
| Book | John Logan |
| Director | Alex Timbers |
| Choreographer | Sonya Tayeh |
| Music Supervision, Orchestrations, Arrangements and Additional Lyrics |
Justin Levine |
| Scenic Design | Derek McLane |
| Costume Design | Catherine Zuber |
| Lighting Design | Justin Townsend |
| Sound Design | Peter Hylenski |
| Hair Design | David Brian Brown |
| Makeup Design | Sarah Cimino |
| Creative Consultation Services | Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin |
| Music Producer | Matt Stine |
| Associate Director | Matt Di Carlo |
| Music Director | Andrew Graham |
| Co-Orchestrators | Katie Kresek, Charlie Rosen, Matt Stine |
| Dance Arrangements | Justin Levine, Matt Stine |
| Associate Music Supervisor | Cian Mccarthy |
| Associate Choreographer | Katie Spelman |
| Associate Scenic Designer | Erica Hemminger |
| Associate Costume Designer | A.C. Gottlieb |
| Associate Lighting Designer | Nick Solyom |
| Associate Hair Designer | Michael Buonincontro |
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CREDIT EVAN ZIMMERMAN
Show FactsIt took 960 hours and 19 artisans to create Satine’s opening costume, which has a total of 4,000 crystals in her corset, gloves and top hat. -
CREDIT MATTHEW MURPHY
Show FactsThe show features songs drawn from over a century of music, from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. In total, there are 75 songs, 165 credited songwriters, 31 publishers, and 160 years’ worth of music represented -
CREDIT AVERY BRUNKUS
Show FactsThere is 75 metres of ruffle in each can-can skirt. -
CREDIT MATTHEW MURPHY
Show FactsA total of 37 top hats appear in every single performance! -
CREDIT MATTHEW MURPHY
Show FactsMoulin Rouge! The Musical depicts a show within a show, and that experience starts the moment you walk into the theatre, with the auditorium dressed as if entering the club.
Awards & Nominations
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Credit Cindy Ord
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CREDIT THEO WARGO / GETTY IMAGES
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| Best Musical | |
| Best Direction of a Musical | Alex Timbers |
| Best Choreography | Sonya Tayeh |
| Best Orchestrations | Justin Levine with Matt Stine, Katie Kresek and Charlie Rosen |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Aaron Tveit |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Danny Burstein |
| Best Scenic Design in a Musical | Derek McLane |
| Best Costume Design in a Musical | Catherine Zuber |
| Best Lighting Design in a Musical | Justin Townsend |
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Peter Hylenski |
| Best Book of a Musical | John Logan |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Karen Olivo |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Robyn Hurder |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Sahr Ngaujah |
| Best Musical Theatre Album |
| Outstanding New Broadway Musical | |
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Alex Timbers |
| Outstanding Choreography | Sonya Tayeh |
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Justin Levine With Matt Stein, Katie Kresek, And Charlie Rosen |
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Karen Olivo |
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Aaron Tveit |
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Danny Burstein |
| Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) | Derek McLane |
| Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Catherine Zuber |
| Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Justin Townsend |
| Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical) | Peter Hylenski |
| Outstanding Choreography | Sonya Tayeh |
| Outstanding Set Design of a Musical | Derek McLane |
| Outstanding Costume Design of A Musical | Catherine Zuber |
| Outstanding Lighting Design of A Musical | Justin Townsend |
| Outstanding Sound Design of A Musical | Peter Hylenski |
| Outstanding Production of A Musical | |
| Distinguished Performance Award | Danny Burstein |
| Distinguished Performance Award | Karen Olivo |
| Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show | |
| Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show | Sonya Tayeh |
| Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show | Robyn Hurder |
| Favorite Musical | |
| Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical | Aaron Tveit |
| Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical | Danny Burstein (Zidler) |
| Favorite Featured Actress in a Musical | Robyn Hurder (Nini) |
| Favorite Onstage Pair | Aaron Tveit & Karen Olivo (Christian & Satine) |
| Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male) | Ricky Rojas (Santiago) |
WATCH OUR CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS
Step inside our video gallery to watch performances and behind-the-scenes moments that bring the show to life.
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Credit Matthew Murphy
Social Responsibility
The Bohemian Project
Global Creatures launched the Bohemian Project in 2019 on Broadway as a way for Moulin Rouge! The Musical to give back to the community and share the Bohemian Values of Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love, espoused in the story. This initiative is focused on supporting emerging artists, creatives, and local communities through industry development, community support, accessibility for people with disabilities, and expanding theatre access for underrepresented groups.
Our Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical has delivered a variety of outreach programs and initiatives, including:
- Live cast performances at various free community events such as Harlem Week Festival, Arts for Autism, Sing Out for Freedom, and Broadway’s annual Juneteenth Concert.
- Special talkbacks and pre-show receptions for community occasions like Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Broadway For All, inviting attendees to experience the show and engage in meaningful conversations.
- Fundraising efforts, bucket collections, and partnerships with local organisations and small businesses to support and amplify their work.
- A partnership with GalaPro, a closed captioning and audio description mobile app, offering real-time translations in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean to make the show more accessible.
- Accessibility programs including ASL-interpreted and audio-described performances.
- Participation in TDF’s Veterans Theatregoing Program and Introduction to Theatre and Dance Program, providing low-cost or complimentary tickets to veterans and school students.
- Contributing to Broadway’s Carols for a Cure by writing and recording an original song, with proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
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Credit Angela of York and BC/EFA
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Credit Avery Brunkus
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Credit Avery Brunkus
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Credit Marc J. Franklin
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Credit Avery Brunkus
Industry Development
The Broadway production has championed theatrical industry development and techncial theatre education. By demystifying the backstage world and celebrating its creative workforce, the Broadway team continues to help cultivate the next generation of theatre makers, performers and crew.
| Get Musical: Beyond the Baton of Moulin Rouge! The Musical | In partnership with Maestra Music, this program provides aspiring women and nonbinary musicians with hands-on experience in the orchestra pit of a Tony Award-winning musical. |
| Inside Broadway: Creating the Magic | We were thrilled to partner with Inside Broadway on their Creating the Magic program which brings under-served New York City public school students to see productions and discover the crucial behind-the-scenes roles that bring a musical to life. For many of these students, it is their first time in a Broadway theatre. |
| Open Stages Project Crew Training | A collaboration with the Open Stage Project, an organisation dedicated to increasing representation and diversity in backstage crews. We supported students with the opportunity to shadow our crew backstage, opening doors for students to pursue careers in backstage production. |
| Broadway League’s High School Broadway Shadowing Program | This program connects New York City public high school students with industry professionals such as theatrical general managers and stage managers, allowing them to go backstage, observe firsthand, and gain insight into the process of mounting and maintaining a Broadway production. |
Gallery
What it's Like Working on the Show
KEY DATES
2018 |
3 August - The Boston production officially opened at Emerson Colonial Theatre, marking the show’s stage debut. |
2019 |
28 June - Broadway previews began at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, offering audiences their first look at the complete production. |
2019 |
25 July - The show celebrated its official Broadway opening night, kicking off a highly anticipated run. |
2020 |
11 March - The COVID-19 pandemic shut down all Broadway productions, bringing Moulin Rouge! The Musical to a temporary halt. |
2021 |
24 September - Re-opening night! The show returned to Broadway with renewed energy and excitement as the world began to open up again. |
2021 |
26 September - The production was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, taking home 10 wins including Best Musical, marking a major milestone for Global Creatures. |
