Broadway Guide: Inside Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway
A Dream Role in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Landing the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a full-circle moment for the performer, whose real life mirrors the character in surprising ways.
“I am playing the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge! This is a very kismet moment for me playing Christian the Songwriter on Broadway because I’m also Christian, the songwriter, in real life! I have been writing music since I was a kid and am actively working on multiple writing projects, including a musical and an EP project to be released in the new year. I have loved the story of Moulin Rouge since I was a teenager. I remember watching the movie for the first time and falling in love with love. Now, almost 20 years later, I have the pleasure of telling the very story I fell in love with 8 times a week.”
From Music Kid to Broadway Leading Man
His path to Broadway was shaped by music first, then theater, and even military service before returning to the stage.
“I got my start in music as a kid, playing the piano and singing in choir. It wasn’t until college that I found a love and a knack for musical theater. But after college, I spent 4 years in the Army, singing with the U.S. Army Chorus. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I decided to leave the Army and move to New York to pursue the musical theater dream. Since then, for the past 4 years, I’ve been lucky enough to find myself in incredible opportunities, performing in the Pretty Woman 1st National Tour, the Kinky Boots Off-Broadway remount as Charlie Price, and finally Moulin Rouge! on tour and on Broadway.”
What Makes Moulin Rouge! The Musical So Special
For audiences new to Broadway, the show delivers spectacle, romance and recognizable music all in one night.
“I would describe Moulin Rouge! as a spectacle, an epic love story, a concert of your favorite songs of the past half century, and an incredible night out. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll leave singing. If you are familiar with the movie, it takes Baz Luhrmann’s high octane fever dream and transfers that energy to the stage with an updated score, arranged and conceived of by Justin Levine.”
The Joy of Performing the Role Night After Night
The range of the character and the company keeps every performance exciting.
“I love the range of the show, energetically, thematically and vocally. I get to play in the sincerity, the farcical and the dramatic sides of the character as well as go from the beautifully intimate ‘Come What May’ to the acid trip of ‘Chandelier’ and ‘El Tango de Roxanne’. I also love sharing the stage with so many wildly talented performers. Everyone at the Hirschfeld is at the top of their game, and it’s inspiring to come to work every night.”
Life Lessons From Living in New York City
Offstage, New York has taught him the importance of balance and creating a personal refuge.
“For me, as a self-diagnosed introvert, the biggest lesson has been to make my living space feel like an oasis. As soon as you step outside, New York won’t go easy on you, so having a place to come home and recharge has been essential.”
Smart Tips for Visitors Seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical
He encourages visitors to explore beyond Midtown after catching the show.
“I’d say as long as you’ve seen Times Square once, try to branch out to some more scenic and quiet parts of the city like the Upper West Side, Central Park, Lincoln Center or the West Village. Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe and charm, and no shortage of great restaurants!”
Favorite NYC Nights Out
For a relaxed evening, he prefers good food and conversation over crowded nightlife.
“I would head to the UWS for dinner and cocktails with my girlfriend or a few friends. I love nothing more than eating delicious food with people I love (and not having to shout to hear each other.) I turn 33 in a few months, and my days of loud bars and clubs are certainly numbered!”
Where He Sends Visiting Friends and Family
His ideal New York itinerary mixes theater with classic outdoor experiences.
“I would send my family to see Moulin Rouge! (Or any Broadway show for that matter). Then I would recommend doing a tour of Central Park, it’s such a beautiful oasis in the heart of a bustling city. Then I’d send them to check out the High Line. It’s another really cool perspective of the city with some great views and amazing restaurants close by. And though it’s a bit of a hike from Midtown, I absolutely love the Met Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park up in Inwood. I recently moved across the street from Fort Tryon Park back in March, and it’s a true gem, and worth the 20 minutes uptown on the A.”
A Favorite Restaurant Worth the Trip
When it comes to dining, seasonal menus and intimate settings win every time.
“I’m a sucker for bougie, farm-to-table, modern American cuisine. One of my favorite spots is in Tribeca called One White Street. They have a rotating seasonal menu and an option to do a chef’s table tasting. It’s a quaint and cozy space with outdoor seating, perfect for a date night in the springtime.”
Why New York Still Feels Magical
For him, the city’s biggest strength is its variety and endless sense of discovery.
“There is no city like New York, and I love that you can make your New York experience exactly what you want it to be. You can ride the subway a few blocks and feel like you are in a completely different city. You can stumble across a new favorite restaurant or coffee shop, or run into an old friend you haven’t seen for years. There is a magical ‘smallness’ to New York that I never quite get over. New York does quiet streets and beautiful parks just as well as it does the bright lights and bustle of Times Square. You can truly never be bored, and there is something for everyone here.”
Catch Christian Douglas on social media @christiandouglasmusic!
