Category: Broadway

Musical Manicures | The Addams Family Inspired Nails

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Today I have the seventh installment of my Musical Manicures series, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show that I’ve seen in the past. I began by picking a random musical out of a jar, and this time I got The Addams Family, which I saw in March of 2011. This was the first show that I saw during the semester I lived in New York City for an internship during my junior year in college, and it definitely kicked off a bit of a Broadway binge. I got a student rush ticket to The Addams Family, and paid $37.00 for a seat in the mid mezzanine. I also bought the souvenir program book, before I realized that it wasn’t sustainable to keep purchasing them on my college budget!

When I think back to my experience at The Addams Family, I remember really loving Jackie Hoffman’s comedic performance as Grandma. Otherwise, a lot of the show was forgettable to me. I recently listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording, and I do enjoy the songs One Normal Night and Pulled. That being said, I looked back at my old blog from 2011, and I was surprised at how much I loved this show at the time. I completely forgot that this version of The Addams Family is set in current times, and featured a lot of pop culture references. All that to say, I think if you have the opportunity to see this show on tour or at a local theatre, it’s fun for the whole family, but not necessarily the best musical out there.

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For my nails, I decided to create a look inspired by Morticia’s purple dress with black lace overlay. I began with a base of Zoya Lidia, which is a dark purple cream polish. To replicate the black lace, I used the Zoya Leopard Spots Topper, which is a special effects nail polish with a crackle design. I then used Holo Taco Glossy Taco to give the manicure a shiny finish and even out the layers. While you can definitely see the crackle effect in direct sunlight, the purple and black kind of blend in as one dark shade in natural lighting. While I am a bit disappointed that you can’t see a strong differentiation between the shades of polish, I still think I captured the essence of Morticia’s gown.

Moreover, it is also a lot of fun that I got to create a nail polish look based on more of a Halloween coded musical as we head into the fall season. I think dark purple is a great shade for this time of year, so I’m glad to wear it this week. Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever used the Zoya Leopard Spots Topper before, so it was fun to put that to use. My dark and vampy nails certainly match the theming of The Addams Family, too!

See more #MusicalManicures content on Instagram by viewing this week’s Reel video HERE!

Musical Manicures | Let It Be Inspired Nails

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Today I’m back with the sixth installment of Musical Manicures, the series where I combine my love of musical theatre with my love of nail polish by creating a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. This week I picked out Let It Be from the jar of shows. Let It Be was a tribute show for The Beatles that played at the St. James Theatre. I saw it back in 2013 through a papering service I used to see Broadway shows on a budget. Essentially, in exchange for a $5.00 processing fee, I would get a comp ticket to the show. I remember the first time I used this service I thought it was a scam because I had to pick up my ticket from a man waiting outside the Starbucks at the Marriott Marquis. Luckily, this service was completely legitimate, and I ended up seeing a handful of shows for just $5.00, which was perfect for a student! Unfortunately, the service no longer exists in this format today, but it was great for me at the time.

As for the show itself, Let It Be essentially felt like a Beatles concert. As a lifelong Beatles fan, the show was a lot of fun for me, especially seeing all of the famous costumes and eras recreated throughout the show. That being said, I’ve seen many Beatles tribute shows in my life, and this one does tend to blend in with the others in my mind. In fact, I saw another Beatles tribute on Broadway around this same time, and I have difficulty differentiating between the two in my head. Nonetheless, I’m glad I got the opportunity to experience Let It Be, but I’m not sure it would have been worth the price of admission if I paid full price for my ticket.

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For my manicure this week, my intention was to recreate the British flag on the cover of the Playbill. I grabbed Zoya Isley for the blue base, LVX Fantom for the white shade, and KBShimmer Chilly Pepper for the red. I was disappointed in my choice of blue nail polish right away, as Isley dried down to a deep navy blue that was darker than expected. I would recommend a brighter blue shade like Zoya Sia. I then decided to free hand the flag design on my ring finger for an accent nail. I should have used Scotch tape or nail art striping tape to create clean lines. Thus, the flag result is not as good as I would have liked, but I had to Let It Be!

While my manicure may not emulate the Playbill perfectly, I think it does fit the vision I had in mind. Plus, I will have another chance at Beatles nails at some point in this series when I get to Rain, the other Beatles tribute show I saw on Broadway. It’s times like these I wish I had better nail art skills, but it’s more about having fun than a perfect result… right?!

See more #MusicalManicures content on my Instagram with this week’s corresponding Reel!

Musical Manicures | La Cage aux Folles Inspired Nails

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Today I’m back with the fifth installment of my Musical Manicures series, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. I love how this series not only lets me be creative in using my nail polish collection, but I get to revisit amazing musicals both old and new. This time I picked La Cage aux Folles out of the jar, a show I saw back in March 2011. I specifically wanted to see this musical because the movie The Birdcage is one of my favorites, and it is based on this storyline. I also really wanted to see the cast playing at the time, because I loved Christopher Sieber from the TV show Two of a Kind, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia who played Angel in the Original Broadway Cast of RENT.

La Cage aux Folles is one of those shows that I don’t remember in detail, but I do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I refreshed my recollection by reading an old blog post I wrote, and the highlights to me were definitely the pre-show audience interaction with drag queen Lili Whiteass, as well as the fabulous dancing. Because I saw this show in college, I was able to buy a Student Rush ticket for only $36.50. This was my first experience in a box seat, which I quickly learned was a go-to area for rush seats since they are often some of the worst in the house. Luckily, this view wasn’t too obscured for me at the Longacre Theatre, and I loved being close to the actors!

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

For the manicure itself, I decided to recreate the pink neon lettering on the Playbill cover. I began by applying two coats of Zoya Chelsea, a light pink cream polish. This acted as the border of the neon letters. Then, I did a reverse French manicure by using Zoya Brinkley, a pink fuchsia polish. Although this nail polish technique looks really impressive, it’s actually quite easy to achieve because you paint your nails as you would normally, but you don’t go all the way to the edge so the color underneath shows on the sides. I made sure to let my manicure dry completely before adding Holo Taco Glossy Taco so the pink shades did not smudge.

I am really happy with how my La Cage aux Folles inspired manicure came out in the end! It’s a bit simple, but it captures the essence of the Playbill. The only thing I would have liked to add are feather details, as the show features feather boas, feather headpieces, and feather fans as well. I found these nail stickers online that would work perfectly, but you could also freehand the feathers if you are good with nail art painting. Now that I am dabbling in nail art a bit more, I may have to restock my supplies!

Want an inside look into the La Cage aux Folles Playbill? Watch this week’s corresponding Instagram Reel HERE.

Regional Theatre Review | Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Played at American Repertory Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery was available on TodayTix

What I Paid: $93.00

My Rating: ★★★★

Official Website: https://twostrangersmusical.com/

An original, new musical comedy about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.

Meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. Meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport.

These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances. The Boston Globe raves Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is “IRRESISTIBLE! Clever, funny, and delightfully surprising!”

REVIEW

After concluding its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theatre (“A.R.T.”) in Cambridge, MA earlier this summer, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has announced that it is opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre with previews beginning on November 1, 2025. Seeing this show during its first run on this side of the Atlantic was a priority for me, as I heard rave reviews not only from online theatre creators, but from people I know in real life as well. I was able to catch this romantic comedy during its closing weekend at A.R.T., and am excited to share my thoughts on this show with all of you.

Two Strangers follows Dougal, a young British man who visits New York City for the first time to attend his estranged father’s wedding, and Robin, the sister of Dougal’s soon-to-be stepmother who picks him up from the airport. While Dougal is energetic and excited, Robin is beat up by life and doesn’t have the time (or desire!) to play tour guide. What follows is a whirlwind adventure where this unlikely duo discovers they may be more compatible than they initially realized.

Our two-person cast consists of Sam Tutty as Dougal and Christiani Pitts as Robin. Tutty is an endearing and lovable cinnamon role as soon as he enters the stage. You can’t help but be enamored with his romanticized view of New York City. Pitts, on the other hand, is the perfect counterbalance. She feels authentically New York with her matter-of-fact demeanor. What is truly magnificent, however, is this duo’s chemistry. Tutty and Pitts play off one another seamlessly, both in the comedic scenes and the serious ones.

Moreover, the show itself is, overall, a joy to watch. The first act is filled with fun and excitement, with the closer “American Express” leaving me with a giant smile on my face. Things do take a bit of a turn in the second act, and my only real critique of the show is that some dark topics are introduced, but quickly glazed over. While those scenes do give the show a touch of reality, they also left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I almost wish Two Strangers leaned full on into its “rom-com” status, even if that means the story is a little too good to be true. Nonetheless, the musical wraps up beautifully, and I left with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face.

Finally, the set design at A.R.T. consisted of a turntable with larger-than-life luggage that easily transformed throughout the show to reveal different pieces of furniture and props. This was a clever set-up that functioned flawlessly as scenes transitioned from one to another. It will be interesting to see if this same design will be used on the Broadway stage. What is sure to be quite magical as Two Strangers heads to its namesake city is the setting. The show, set during the Christmas season, will open at the same time, and will play perfectly to both local New York City audiences and tourists alike. If you are looking for a cozy and celebratory musical to see this season, I highly recommend Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Watch my vlog of seeing Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) on Instagram HERE.

Musical Manicures | The Great Gatsby Inspired Nails

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Today I am back with the forth installment of my series Musical Manicures, where I create a nail polish look inspired by a random Broadway show I’ve seen. I was excited to pick The Great Gatsby out of the jar, as I knew immediately that I would get to incorporate glitter into this week’s look. I saw this show in November 2024, and was lucky enough to see the majority of the Original Broadway Cast, including Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada, and Samantha Pauly. I think this show is perfect if you are looking for a big and dazzling Broadway experience. The costumes are beautiful, there is tap dancing, and you get to see an adaptation of a classic novel. There are some really cool technical elements as well!

This show is very tourist friendly, and I appreciate that they offer a Thursday matinee performance so you can fit even more musicals into your trips to New York City. I purchased my ticket from TKTS, and got a seat in the Left Orchestra for under $100.00. While it was great being up close, beware that the seats in the Broadway Theatre are very cramped. I will say that most of the big and exciting moments I had already seen online, since The Great Gatsby had several viral posts around the time the show opened. Nonetheless, seeing Samantha Pauly perform New Money live was a highlight for me. As such, I drew inspiration from her teal green costume in that song to create my manicure.

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Some of the links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I decided to go with a skittle manicure this week featuring gold, black, and teal green polishes. I combined seven different nail polishes in this look, so I will list them out for you here and link them when still available for purchase:

  • Zoya Nail Polish Moki, a gold metallic polish
  • Zoya Nail Polish Willa, a black cream polish
  • Zoya Nail Polish Giovanna, an emerald green metallic polish
  • Milani Nail Lacquer Sprinkles, a black and white glitter topper
  • Zoya Nail Polish Vienna, a gold metallic polish with holo glitters
  • Amy’s Nail Boutique Oh Teally?, a teal glitter topper
  • Holo Taco Gold Flake Taco, a gold glitter topper

I began my manicure by alternating amongst Moki, Willa, and Giovanni as a base shade, and then I alternated glitters on top. I completed the look with two layers of Holo Taco Glossy Taco for a high shine finish.

Overall, I am really happy with how my manicure looks. I think it matches the vibe of the Playbill cover, and the color scheme works really well together. It’s funny how just adding a glitter topper to your nails can really elevate your manicure and make it look fancy! Plus, I got to reach for so many polishes in my collection that I haven’t used in a while. Even if you do not have the same shades I do, you can certainly create something similar with your own stash. No nail art expertise is required for this look either! I will definitely enjoy my sparkly nails this week.

Join me on Instagram to see the behind the scenes of this manicure HERE!

Musical Manicures | Hamilton Inspired Nails

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It’s time for the third installment of Musical Manicures, the series where I create a nail polish look inspired by a Broadway show I’ve seen in the past. This week I was surprised to pick Hamilton out of the jar, as the musical is celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary in just a few days! I saw the show on Broadway in January 2024 for free by using my credit card rewards points. I got a sketchy link in my email to access my ticket and was worried it would be fake, but luckily it was from a group ticket sales platform and I had an amazing seat in the front mezzanine! It was so exciting to be in the room where it happens after so many years.

While I may be late to the party when it comes to Hamilton, I’m so glad I finally saw the show. I was honestly shocked to find tears streaming down my face as the show came to a close. The cast does an amazing job of performing such a difficult show. I still cannot get over how talented they are to rap and sing the score! If you haven’t experienced Hamilton yet, I highly recommend it whether you can see it on Broadway, on tour, or via the proshot on Disney+. I think this show will remain a powerful force on Broadway for years to come!

Some of the products in this post were originally sent for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Now it’s time to show you the Hamilton inspired manicure I created. I wanted to match the gold and bronze background of the Playbill cover, so I began with Zoya Nail Polish Moki and Amara, which are metallic nail polishes. The cover goes from light and fades to dark on the bottom, so I created the same affect by using the saran wrap nail art technique to adjust the shade of polish on each nail, as well as give the nails a textured effect. I attempted to recreate the Hamilton star logo on my ring finger, but pivoted after two failed attempts. Instead, I used a black nail polish and a dotting tool to write “10” to celebrate the anniversary, and did dots around the perimeter to mimic the stars on the current Hamilton logo. I unfortunately smudged my top coat right at the end, but I still think the look came together well!

Overall, while I struggled to achieve my desired manicure result this week, I think I was still successful in capturing the essence of the Hamilton Playbill. In fact, I think the metallic polishes are quite a close match in terms of color! How fun to randomly choose this show out of the jar when it has such a big celebration this week, too! You’ll have to let me know in the comments if you are also a Hamilton fan, as I would love to know.

Join me on Instagram to see this week’s corresponding Reel with an inside look of the Playbill HERE.

Musical Manicures | Hadestown Inspired Nails

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Today I am excited to share another installment in my new Musical Manicures series, which combines my love of both nail polish and musical theatre. If you missed my first post, I wrote down every Broadway musical I’ve seen, put them in a jar, and will pick one out each week to create a manicure inspired by the show. This week I was a bit surprised to pick Hadestown, which is a show I just saw this January. Currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre, Hadestown is a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

I ended up winning the lottery for this show, which means I only paid $48.50 for my ticket. Unfortunately, my seat was in the back right of the Orchestra, and I was so uncomfortable that I had a difficult time focusing on the performance. I really loved the musicians and the overall message of the show, but I would say this was a three-star experience for me. I would definitely be open to revisiting Hadestown at some point in the future, perhaps on tour in a different venue.

Photo by Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Variety

That being said, the real highlight of the show for me was Allison Russell’s performance as Persephone. Every time she was on stage, my eyes were immediately drawn to her. She was truly glowing on that stage, and she had an amazing energy with both her singing and dancing. I decided to use her beautiful green dress as my inspiration for this week’s manicure.

Some of the products used were originally sent for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Persephone’s green dress has a velvety skirt and sleeves, and a lace bodice with rhinestones throughout. I began with a base of Zoya Nail Polish in Link, a neon green polish. To emulate the velvet texture on the dress, I used the Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat on my pinky, pointer finger, and thumb. Next, I used an old stamping plate from Born Pretty Store that has a floral lace effect on my ring and middle fingers. I used a lighter green nail polish from Zoya called Avani for the lace. Finally, I repurposed some rhinestones I had leftover from a diamond painting project to add some bling. For my “glue” I used the Holo Taco Glossy Taco and placed the rhinestones in while the top coat was still wet. We’ll see how long they last on the nails!

While I still need to practice my nail stamping skills (I definitely smudged the polish on my middle finger!), I am overall very happy with my completed manicure. I think I captured the vibe of Persephone’s green dress, and I created a look that I never would have if not part of this Musical Manicures project. I also listened to the Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording while writing this post, which added to the experience for me. If you enjoy Greek mythology and a show that combines a love story with an important societal message, this may be a Broadway musical for you!

Want an inside look into the Hadestown Playbill and a behind-the-scenes peek at how this manicure was created? See this post’s corresponding Instagram Reel HERE.

Musical Manicures | American Idiot Inspired Nails

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Today I am excited to begin a new series that has lived in my brain for a while. It’s called Musical Manicures, and combines my love for nail polish with my love for musical theatre. I wrote down every Broadway musical I’ve ever seen (that’s 45 unique shows!) and put them in a jar. Each round, I will randomly pick a show from the jar and create a nail polish look inspired by the musical. I think this will be a really fun way to look back on shows I’ve seen years ago, all while challenging myself to create manicures using polishes from my stash that I might not grab for on a regular basis. For this first round, I picked American Idiot out of the jar!

Image courtesy of Playbill

American Idiot is a rock opera based on the concept album of the same name by the band Green Day. I saw the show back in April 2011. I remember I wasn’t a huge fan of the show, but was excited to see the band’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong live, as well as Justin Guarini from American Idol fame. I found my old blog review from 2011, and it’s honestly quite funny. These are my thoughts as a 21-year-old after seeing the show.

Despite my snarky post, I’m so glad I preserved my thoughts on the show! I really miss in-person ticket lotteries, and I can’t believe I got a seat in the orchestra for only $37.00. That being said, I think I agree with my younger self, as I don’t know that I would go see American Idiot again if the show gets a revival. Nonetheless, I’m excited to create a nail polish look based on the red, black, and white cover art of the Playbill.

The products used were originally sent for my unbiased review. Some links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I decided to use a red nail polish as the main color, and then do an accent nail of white with black stars. I used Zoya Soko for the red polish, but you can use any true red shade you have. For the accent nail, I began with LVX Fantom, which is a white polish. I let that dry completely, and then used an old Born Pretty Store stamping plate to add the stars with Zoya Willa, a black polish. I don’t think this stamping plate is for sale anymore, but I found one with a similar design on Amazon. I completed the look with Holo Taco Glossy Taco.

I am really happy with how this first round of Musical Manicures came together! I think the nail polish really matches the vibe of the Playbill, and I definitely went outside of my comfort zone with the look. Of course, it was also fun to take a trip down memory lane and revisit a Broadway show I saw over a decade ago now. I hope you also enjoy this series. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Each blog post will be accompanied by an Instagram Reel with an inside look of the Playbill and the manicure process! See this post’s reel HERE.

Broadway | Aladdin

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Aladdin on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre

Aladdin

Playing at New Amsterdam Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery available through Broadway Direct

What I Paid: $83.00

Official Website: https://aladdinthemusical.com/

Disney’s ALADDIN is a dazzling and extravagant showcase of special effects — including a flying magic carpet during “A Whole New World” — as well as glittering-gold costumes and art deco-style sets that mirror the grandeur of a Busby Berkeley musical. One of Broadway’s most popular musical comedies, the show opened at the legendary New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, and has since broken numerous house records (grossing over $500 million on Broadway). Eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken composed the show’s music. The lyrics are by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), as well as three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice and six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin. The book is by Beguelin and direction/choreography is by two-time Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw.   

REVIEW

Aladdin has been a Disney staple on Broadway since 2014. As a huge fan of the animated classic, I’ve always wanted to see this show. I attended for the first time in October, and overall really enjoyed this family friendly performance. I purchased tickets from TKTS the day before the show for the Sunday matinee, and got 50% off for Orchestra Left on the aisle. We had an excellent view of all the action! Unless you are going with a large group that wants to sit together, I highly recommend getting tickets last minute, as Aladdin is regularly available at TKTS.

The show itself is based on the movie Aladdin, but has some notable changes. I was disappointed that there was Abu and Rajah! were cut from the musical. Instead, Aladdin has a group of three human friends that have a substantial role in the show. Similarly, Iago is a human sidekick to Jafar rather than a parrot. The music is also a bit different. There are songs we know and love from the movie, with the addition of new songs written specifically for the stage show, and a few that were cut from the film as well. Despite these changes, the overall story remains the same, and is filled with Disney magic.

My absolute favorite character is Genie, currently being played by Michael James Scott. Genie honestly carries the show. He is hilarious, has great rapport with the audience, and his stage presence is fantastic. Scott’s performance in Friend Like Me truly stole the show! The other cast members were all talented, and had wonderful performances, but Genie really stands out amongst the performers.

Moreover, I was surprised with all of the different elements present in Aladdin. There are big dance numbers (including a tap dance!), ballads, extravagant costumes, special effects, and more. There are also funny moments where other Disney movies and television shows are referenced. Disney can use its vast intellectual property library to its advantage! I like that Aladdin can incorporate so much into one performance, making the show enjoyable to a wide audience.

I did want to touch on audience behavior for a bit in this post. I’ve heard a lot about bad behavior on Broadway since theaters re-opened after the COVID-19 closures. Luckily, while I have heard a lot of cell phones ringing during shows this year, I haven’t experienced anyone else acting too poorly. Unfortunately, the audience behavior at Aladdin was the worst I’ve encountered. I was worried about all of the children in the audience being disruptive during this Sunday matinee. However, the adults were the culprits! People sitting behind me were singing, adults ran into the aisles to pick up streamers for their kids mid-song, but the worst offenders were taking photos and videos during the show. As soon as A Whole New World began, the phones came out from multiple directions. The ushers did a fantastic job of shutting this down as soon as possible, but it was very distracting. I was disappointed that my favorite song of the show was tainted because of others. Parents, set a good example for your children and show them how to properly behave at a Broadway show!

Aladdin on Broadway Review

Now that I’m off that soapbox, I will conclude my thoughts on Aladdin by saying that I overall enjoyed it! Aladdin tends to have a mediocre reputation in the online Broadway communities, but I think that’s because the excitement surrounding the show has worn off since it’s been running for nearly a decade. That being said, I think Aladdin is a great option if you are looking for a family friendly show with a lot of classic Broadway elements. The show is fun, heartwarming, and based on a story that many of us love from our childhoods. I am glad I finally got to see it!

Broadway | Moulin Rouge!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Moulin Rouge!

Playing at Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Musical or play? Musical

Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery available through Lucky Seat

What I Paid: $250.45

Official Website: https://moulinrougemusical.com/

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

REVIEW

After hearing great things about Moulin Rouge! The Musical, I made sure to see the show on Broadway during a recent trip to New York City. I purchased full price tickets directly through the Moulin Rouge! website, and sat Orchestra Center, Row Q. This seat was further back in the orchestra, which meant that some of the set, specifically the windmill and elephant on the sides, was not fully visible. However, all of the onstage action could be seen quite well. I would not recommend sitting in the Can Can seats towards the front, as you will miss a lot of the show even though you’ll feel like you’re a part of it. If you can splurge for premium seats or the very front of the mezzanine, you will get the best view.

Moulin Rouge! is a jukebox musical that tells the story of Christian, a young American composer traveling to Paris. In an attempt to sell his music, Christian visits the cabaret club Moulin Rouge where he meets, and instantly falls in love with, the club’s star, Satine. What follows is a dramatic love story told through some of our favorite pop songs from the last few decades.

What makes Moulin Rouge! stand out from other jukebox musicals is the unique way the songs are mashed together to fit the story. As a first time viewer, part of the fun was recognizing the music as each song began. In fact, I really enjoyed it whenever there was an audible reaction from the audience whenever a song started. It’s very impressive how the pop songs we know and love get woven together in this show. While the music may not be original, the way it is presented in Moulin Rouge! is certainly very creative. I cannot even fathom how difficult it must have been to find just the right lyrics, orchestrate the mash-ups, and secure the licensing rights for this soundtrack.

That being said, the book in Moulin Rouge! was a bit weak for me. I rolled my eyes when Christian and Satine fell in love on the first night they met. It also felt like some songs didn’t really fit into the storyline, especially when you consider the 1899 timeline. I found myself absolutely loving the big production numbers with the full cast of dancers, but wanting more during the scenes that advanced the plot. There were also a few side stories that felt a bit thrown in, but overall the music and dancing made up for what was lacking in the book.

As for the cast, I was most excited to see Tituss Burgess as Harold Zidler. Burgess did an incredible job, and it really felt like he was made for this role. The audience had a great reaction to him, and he owned the stage as the energetic host of the Moulin Rouge. Courtney Reed is currently playing leading lady Satine, and she is certainly a highlight as well. Her voice is stunning, and she easily portrays the different facets of this character. Unfortunately, Casey Cott struggles as Christian. He just couldn’t hit many of his notes, especially in the higher register. Thankfully, he has good chemistry with Reed, and does capture the character of Christian well. I also wanted to give a shout out to Clay Rice-Thompson in the ensemble, who I’ve followed on Instagram for years. It was so fun to see him perform!

Moreover, one aspect I really loved about Moulin Rouge! is the atmosphere. As soon as you enter the theatre you feel as if you’ve been transported to the club in Paris. The lighting is dark with a red tone before the show beings and during intermission. The performers also slowly enter the stage before the opening number, and they are immediately in character. The set is intricate and beautifully built to capture the mood of the show. It’s really no surprise that Moulin Rouge! won the Tony awards for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design. The Al Hirschfeld is truly transformed, and I love when Broadway feels immersive.

Overall, Moulin Rouge! is a fun and magical night of musical theater. Without giving anything away, the ending sequence of the show alone was worth the price of my ticket. While I wish the book and our leading man’s voice were stronger, I otherwise really enjoyed the show and understand why it has such a loyal fanbase. I only wish I saw it with Aaron Tveit, who originated the role of Christian! Nonetheless, I definitely recommend Moulin Rouge! It’s a great choice for those new to Broadway, due to the captivating ambiance and recognizeable music. As for me, I would certainly see this show again, but I will likely wait for a cast change.