A Wren Says

Before you go to buy a single ticket to go see Moulin Rouge on Broadway, ask yourself what kind of person you are. Are you the type of person who picks a part songs on the radio based on their lyrics? Do you hate a plot hole? Are you a sucker for dialogue as a means of storytelling? Or are you just incredibly critical when it comes to the arts? If you answered yes to any and all of those questions, you likely are not the ideal Moulin Rouge audience member. I say that because I found out all too late that I was not myself.  Let me explain.

I went to see Moulin Rouge as my first Broadway show. Entering the space, I was ready. The set design was captivating. It opened with a moment of play with the audience. And then there was an opening number that was a mashup of popular hit songs. I thought, “Wow, what a fun way to start a show.” I would soon find out that was how the show would continue. Not in the typical Broadway musical formula of original songs that function as dialogue. No, this was a jukebox musical.

And perhaps it was my fault. Had I known ahead of time that was the show I would be seeing, my opinion might have been different. Maybe. But as things were, I came away feeling I had watched an expertly produced talent show. That was the only way I could rationalize the mashup of songs. I struggled to get into the story of a 19^th or early 20^th century French club with Taylor Swift and The Police and Walk the Moon lyrics guiding the story. The point of views of all of the different songs didn’t help me understand how the characters felt, nor did they capture the true dynamics between them. The show was fun, but it felt hollow. And if I am really honest, it felt like lazy storytelling that didn’t do justice to the level of the talent on the stage. I walked out of the theater disappointed and wished I could get both my money and my time back.

So I ask you, before you go and see the show, think about what it is you are hoping to experience when you head to Broadway. If you only want amazing set design, costumes, dancing, and great numbers, then maybe you will enjoy Moulin Rouge. But if you are seeking more, perhaps an original soundtrack you want to keep on repeat in your car or want to fall deep into the story and character development, I suggest you try something else.