by Chris Feil
We've long been awaiting Baz Luhrman's masterpiece Moulin Rouge! to fulfill the seemingly ancient prophecy to make its way onto the stage. Well, that day has finally arrived as the musical's pre-Broadway tryout begins tonight at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre.
We have already been teased by Aaron Tveit singing the epic love song "Come What May" in a foggy theatre, but now we have the real goods we've been dying to see: Karen Olivo stepping into the large shoes of Nicole Kidman as the sparkling diamond Satine and a theatre completely transformed to Luhrman excess. While Olivo's costume (designed by this year's My Fair Lady Tony winner Catherine Zuber) might be somewhat understated from what we might have been hoping to see, we're confident there is further opulence coming once we see what the rest of the show has in store. As for the set, hold on to your hats...
Or maybe toss them into the air in celebration! Where to look first? A full scale iconic windmill! A massive elephant for Christian and Satine to serenade eachother atop of - one can only hope it descends onto the stage as well. These sets are from Derek McLane, Tony winner for 2011's Anything Goes revival, and already promises the kind of immersive experience needed to do justice to Luhrman's vision. And still with a little bit of flair all its own. Spectacular, spectacular indeed.
Word is still out on when the show will arrive on Broadway, but it is looking likely to play later in the season. Any Bostonians seeing this production?