onstagepittsburgh.com: From the moment you walk into the Benedum Center auditorium, Moulin Rouge the Musical hits different from other musicals. Perhaps that difference is because Scenic Designer Derek McLane transformed the Benedum into the Paris’ Moulin Rouge, the famous club dating back to the late 1800s initially opened to provide a place for the rich to come and slum in a fashionable district where people lived differently from the aristocrats.
8 comments:
I have been lucky to see this show before and I am more excited to be able to see it for a second time. Because this time I will be equipped with more knowledge about production and design. When I originally saw the show I loved it, but I was younger and I experienced it from a true audience perspective. Whereas now I tend to look deeper into the details and designs of things because I know what to look for. I remember the set being visually stunning and I specifically remember the lighting, the bright lights of what was supposed to be Paris and I can't wait to see it and to be able to dive into it with the new knowledge and passion I have. I know that sometimes musicals, especially jukebox musicals about love (like this one) can tend to turn “true” theatergoers off because of its capitalistic tendencies. I still believe that in all theaters there are messages we can pull from its production. Even taking a classic but looking at casting differences or seeing what people change can bring nuance to a production. So I know that this show won't say a lot politically. I am still excited to see it and hear its message.
I am so glad I got to read this article before I see the show at the Benedum tomorrow night! I have purposely have not listened to any of the music from the show, but I’m somewhat familiar with the music from the movie so it will be interesting to see those differences. We were just discussing in my Contemporary Comedy class the other day how shows are able to get audiences to think more critically about themselves or society after “disarming” people through comedy and the glamor of showbiz. I’m excited to see how Moulin Rouge is able to do that and if I’ll leave the theatre in an existential crisis. I was in Paris over the summer with my sister and the big tourist moment I got to have was going to see the building of the Moulin Rouge. Tickets to see the show were ridiculously expensive, but even getting to see the infamous windmill was worth it. It was smaller than I expected it to be.
I’m watching Moulin Rouge! The Musical for the first time tomorrow, and I’m so excited to watch, as I’ve heard so many good reviews from my peers. I don’t know much about the show, but after reading the opening paragraph, I’m so excited to know more about the set design, and I’m looking forward to seeing it tomorrow in person. I didn’t read the article that much in detail, as I saw that it talked about some of the plot of the production, but I wanted to go in with a fresh mind. I’ve watched many shows that I did a lot of research on before, but upon watching it, was disappointed because my expectations for the show was too high. However, if I just go into the show with a mindset of “I’m just here to enjoy the show”, I tend to enjoy the show much better, as I’m not analyzing the production elements and the actors, but am actually immersed in the show itself.
I am so excited to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical tomorrow! I am only familiar with a couple of songs from the show, but I absolutely love the ones that I have heard. The upbeat and soulful music is unmatched and it just makes me want to dance anytime I hear it. There is also one particular song that is attached to many fond memories from high school and my lovely friends and dance teacher. This summer, I also went to Paris for a couple of days and I saw the original Moulin Rouge which was super cool! I liked that this article gave an overview of what is to come in the story without giving away too much. I appreciate that they talked about the history of Moulin Rouge, like the time period it was created in and the original movie because I think I can more thoroughly enjoy the show with this information.
i am so so excited to watch moulin rouge! i've been fortunate enough to see multiple shows on broadway, but the one musical i've been waiting to see is moulin rouge! i think this musical is full of artistry, is a beautiful show, and one i am looking forward to experiencing. I have also been a big big fan of Derek McLane, the set designer for moulin rouge, for many years. when i first got into production and design, i did my research on the different types of jobs in the industry. while doing that, i stumbled across Derek McLane. his work is found on so many broadway stages, and i see that as such inspiration. his work can also be found on the oscar’s stage and other television shows. though i have the experience of a manager, i am always looking to get more involved in the scenic design route and hope to gain knowledge about the field!
I’ve seen the show before, and when it was in San Fransisco, one of my favorite things about it was how the theatre had been transformed. The scenic design wasn’t just confined to the stage, it stretched into the house as well. Details like the exit signs in the house were changed to make the entire place fit the vibe of the production. I’ve always thought that was a really cool way to bring a subtle immersive element into the production and into the set design. Everything just blends together well, and the giant elephant is so distracting that at first, you don’t notice all the tiny details which is really cool. The set is pretty awesome on the stage as well, with all sorts of moving pieces and layers that I think are pretty neat. I’m a big fan of this show, I think it’s simply just a fun and good time.
I’m writing this comment while currently sitting across a giant poster on my wall with bold letters stating “Moulin Rouge.” Since my sister introduced the movie to me years ago, I’ve been hooked on this story, and was absolutely shook when I saw the stage production. Derek McLane’s work is absolutely incredible, from Anything Goes, to MJ, Beautiful the Musical, and so many more I can’t list them all. His work on Moulin Rogue was incredible, completely transforming the space of the theater. I remember when I saw it on stage a while ago I was amazed by the spectacle, and immersiveness of it all. He took so many details from Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann’s work with the movies and was able to both adapt it to the stage but also add/alter areas as well, which I think is super interesting. I am so curious as to what the arrangement looks like at the Benedum, I’m sure it’s incredible – I wish I was going to see it this weekend! Overall I was so glad to read about this, as I always love a moment to think about the magic of the Moulin Rogue, and it’s so interesting learning more and more about it and it’s production.
I saw Moulin Rouge this past weekend and I thought it was gorgeous. I cannot imagine how much time, effort, and love went into making that stunning design. I looked it up and there are over 30,000 hand sewn crystals in the costumes. Another cool fact I learned is that a friend of mine and a Pittsburgh native actually made all the wigs for the show. I cannot imagine how much effort went into making the set. It was amazing and beautiful and every time I thought there couldn’t be more there was. On top of all of that the lighting design was absolutely amazing. I was so astonished at the beauty of it. There were so many effects that I couldn’t even begin to imagine how they programmed. Despite the amazing technical aspects, I still didn’t love the show. I had trouble taking it seriously with all the random modern song references. I felt as though they took away from the story. I understand I was going to a jukebox musical but I guess I expected it to be more like the movie.
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