Moulin Rouge! Lyrics – All Songs from the Musical

Overview: Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Opening on Broadway in 2019, Moulin Rouge! The Musical adapts the breathless decadence and flamboyant spectacle of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 movie. It is a tale about Satine, the greatest star ever to grace the stage, a young poet who loves her, and pays the price for it. The stakes are high as the Moulin Rouge is on the verge of bankruptcy and its owner, Harold Zidler, is losing his mind to save his love, Moulin Rouge itself, and the people who rely on it for their bread and butter. He proposes that she persuade The Duke, a wealthy and powerful man, to perhaps be the one to rescue Moulin Rouge. Unknown to Harold, though, the Duke has a very rough and violent history with relationships, adding difficulty in the way of the growing affection between Satine and Christian. With this drama, one cannot help but wonder if love is painful. But true to the Bohemian spirit, "truth," "beauty," "freedom," and "love" prevail, and in style-unto-song, it all comes together in a dazzling theatrical performance. Ever since its first curtain call, "Moulin Rouge!", meanwhile, has achieved success in its own right. It is a ten-time Tony Award winner, including Best Musical, in the ceremony's 2021 74th annual ceremony. Aaron Tveit, playing Christian, was awarded the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The show itself was recognized with the Tony for outstanding costume design, scene design, and choreography, all of which go into its visually aesthetic style. Then, in 2022, the production expanded its visibility to include a national touring company in the United States that shares the opulence and extravagance of the Moulin Rouge from one coast to the other. The extravaganza has also traveled abroad with productions beginning in London's West End, Australia, and Japan. Each production retains that phenomenal essence which has positioned the Broadway play as a must-see. The bright pop score of the show, which includes tunes by The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, and David Bowie, among others, continues to be a favorite with audiences. Making Moulin Rouge! The Musical, a classic addition to the Broadway canon, is its universal themes of love, sacrifice, and search for artistic freedom, as seen by the story of Satine and Christian, which shall keep capturing the imagination of audiences for many years.

History of Creation.

Born from the cinematic fever dream of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, Moulin Rouge! was destined for the stage. But it took nearly two decades. The film’s kaleidoscope of anachronistic pop songs and bohemian fervor demanded reinvention. Alex Timbers, a visionary with a taste for theatrical chaos, took the reins. Together with writer John Logan and music supervisors Justin Levine and Matt Stine, they cracked the code. The musical premiered at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre in 2018. It was a frenzy of light, lust, and heartbreak.

Broadway Arrival.

In July 2019, the velvet curtain lifted at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York. What followed was a sensory tidal wave. The production became a magnet for theatre-goers who wanted more than spectacle — they wanted catharsis. They got both. Then came the pandemic. Theaters shuttered. Dreams paused. But Moulin Rouge! roared back. Its return in 2021 brought awards, ovations, and a reminder: theatre survives because people believe.

Global Expansion.

Following Broadway, the show ignited stages worldwide. From London’s West End to Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, each version spun its own glitter-soaked tapestry. Yet, the story never changed. A doomed romance. A crumbling cabaret. The sacred words: truth, beauty, freedom, love. In 2022, the U.S. national tour began. Fans across the country witnessed the red windmill whir into life. In 2025, the first official world tour launched in Edinburgh, confirming the show’s global power. Cities fell under its spell one by one.

Musical Score and Cultural Impact.

The musical features over 70 songs — a mosaic of pop, rock, and soul. From Madonna to Adele, Elton John to Beyoncé, each note is carefully chosen. It’s not nostalgia, it’s reinvention. This jukebox score moves like a heartbeat.

Questions and Answers

Who currently stars as Christian on Broadway?

Jordan Fisher portrays Christian from April 15 to July 20, 2025.

When does Wayne Brady begin his role as Harold Zidler?

Wayne Brady takes over as Harold Zidler starting July 22, 2025.

Where did the world tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical begin?

The world tour commenced at Edinburgh Playhouse on April 22, 2025.

Which cities are included in the U.S. tour?

Upcoming cities include San Antonio, Fort Worth, San Diego, San Jose, and Tempe.

What has been the audience's response to the show?

Audiences praise its stunning visuals and compelling performances, calling it a "must-see."