Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! being adapted for the stage

Photo Credit: Sue Adler.

Devotees of truth, beauty, freedom and love, rejoice! It was announced this evening by Global Creatures that Baz Luhrmann’s classic film, Moulin Rouge!, is currently being adapted for the stage.

Photo Credit: Sue Adler.

In case you need a moment to gather yourself and stop internally screaming at the thought of another favourite film being brought into the realm of music theatre, here’s what we know so far: John Logan (whose writing credits are well awarded and span theatre, film and television genres) will serve as the book writer for Moulin Rouge! with Alex Timbers (Rocky, Peter and the Starcatcher, Mozart in the Jungle) attached to the project as director.

Carmen Pavlovic, CEO of Global Creatures, had the following to say about the creative talent assembled so far.

“Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin are so special to Global Creatures and I’m thrilled that we have the opportunity to partner with them once again to bring their ground-breaking work to the stage. Moulin Rouge! is a film begging to be theatricalized. I can think of no better creative collaborators than Alex Timbers and John Logan to realise this new musical.”

There is currently no production timeline, venue or cast announced for the musical, but developmental work is reportedly underway.

Released by Twentieth Century Fox, Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a young poet and writer, Christian, who falls in love with Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge in the beginning of 20th century Paris. Their creative passion is intertwined in the story of their doomed love, and they live for the central tenets of bohemian philosophy. The film is a celebration of love and artistic inspiration, and is a favourite amongst the musical theatre crowd.

Premiering at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and earning over $179 million worldwide, the film won two Oscars at the 74th Academy Awards, and more importantly, has been watched so many times by me that I’ve worn two DVD copies out. According to Baz Luhrmann, he can’t wait to see his film transformed into another art form, saying that it is “immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm.”

Enjoy Lady Marmalade (the runaway popular tune from the film release)!

More information is available on the Global Creatures website.

Maddi Ostapiw

Maddi is a performer who has been too scared to stand in the spotlight for the last few years, so she channels her need for love and appreciation into writing about the theatre instead. An energetic consumer of musical theatre, she is currently earning a degree in journalism and teaches voice in her small hometown. Maddi is normally covered in cat fur, has an opinion on everything, and in the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, is not throwing away her shot.