After opening last week on Broadway to critical acclaim, Australia’s Global Creatures has announced that its stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie musical Moulin Rouge! will make its Australian debut in Melbourne in 2021. It will play at the Regent Theatre, which is set to undergo a $19.4 million rejuvenation in the lead up to the premiere. Reviewing the Broadway opening, Limelight’s Editor at Large Clive Paget wrote “with an expanded, every-one-a-winner soundtrack, a first-rate, hard-working cast and a staging that looks a million dollars and counting, it takes feelgood to a whole new level.”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical. All photos © Matthew Murphy, 2019

Directed by Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical has a book by John Logan, choreography by Sonya Tayeh and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Justin Levine. The design team includes Derek McLane (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes), Justin Townsend (lighting) and Peter Hylenski (sound). The stage show features songs from the Academy Award-winning film as well as contemporary music by artists like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Adele and Britney Spears in a continuation of Luhrmann’s jukebox musical-style soundtrack. The musical received its world premiere in Boston...