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Moulin Rouge! The Musical: The Story of the Broadway Spectacular
A glittering backstage pass to Moulin Rouge! The Musical and its journey to Broadway, with contributions from cast and crew, interviews with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, and a chronicle of its triumphant 2021 return.
An iconic Parisian club, a cinema masterpiece, and now a Broadway musical—the Moulin Rouge has been a tantalizing pop-culture phenomenon for over a century. The 2019 Broadway debut of Moulin Rouge! The Musical astounded theater critics.
Via a lush photo essay and oral history, the process of crafting Moulin Rouge! The Musical springs to life from early sketches, historical research, technical diagrams, and rehearsal photos. Theater writer David Cote gathers the cast and crew’s firsthand accounts of the excitement and challenges of creating a show that referenced as much as it reinvented the Broadway musical.
For lovers of musicals, fans of the movie, or anyone fascinated by the glamorous Belle Époque, this exquisitely realized book will seduce all—bohemian and aristocrat alike.
An iconic Parisian club, a cinema masterpiece, and now a Broadway musical—the Moulin Rouge has been a tantalizing pop-culture phenomenon for over a century. The 2019 Broadway debut of Moulin Rouge! The Musical astounded theater critics.
Via a lush photo essay and oral history, the process of crafting Moulin Rouge! The Musical springs to life from early sketches, historical research, technical diagrams, and rehearsal photos. Theater writer David Cote gathers the cast and crew’s firsthand accounts of the excitement and challenges of creating a show that referenced as much as it reinvented the Broadway musical.
For lovers of musicals, fans of the movie, or anyone fascinated by the glamorous Belle Époque, this exquisitely realized book will seduce all—bohemian and aristocrat alike.
- GenresNonfictionMusicalsArt
184 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
9 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 6, 2023
This is a musical that completely blew me away when I finally saw it live. I knew as soon as this book was announced that I would be purchasing it, though getting around to reading it took a little longer.
There's a lot to like about this book. It features stunning photographs, fan art, and quotes from those involved in all levels of the show. It grapples with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the shutdown as well as the reopening of the theatres. It provides at least a page for creative such as the sound designer and lighting designer to explain their work, which I love and think is often missing in these types of books. It also has a section in which fans explain what the show means to them and their experiences with it, which is really special.
What I wish this book would have included is a more complex explanation for Karen Olivo's departure, perhaps including direct quotes from Olivo herself, as she has been very frank about it. It would have been nice to have engaged with that element of the production, as it is slightly more unsavory than the book makes clear. I also would have liked to have read more about artists' responses to their work being used in the show as well as the reactions of folks who starred in the original film. It would have been interesting to have read more about the casting process as well.
Overall, it's a nice read for fans of the show, and it's a beautiful book to flip through.
There's a lot to like about this book. It features stunning photographs, fan art, and quotes from those involved in all levels of the show. It grapples with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the shutdown as well as the reopening of the theatres. It provides at least a page for creative such as the sound designer and lighting designer to explain their work, which I love and think is often missing in these types of books. It also has a section in which fans explain what the show means to them and their experiences with it, which is really special.
What I wish this book would have included is a more complex explanation for Karen Olivo's departure, perhaps including direct quotes from Olivo herself, as she has been very frank about it. It would have been nice to have engaged with that element of the production, as it is slightly more unsavory than the book makes clear. I also would have liked to have read more about artists' responses to their work being used in the show as well as the reactions of folks who starred in the original film. It would have been interesting to have read more about the casting process as well.
Overall, it's a nice read for fans of the show, and it's a beautiful book to flip through.
May 15, 2023
Spectacular! This gorgeous book is an absolute must for fans of the musical. Stunning photos with lots of behind the scenes stories from the show’s inception through now. Just get it already. ♥️
December 30, 2022
With beautiful photos and plenty of behind the scenes insights from the cast and creative team, this is a lovely look at one of my favorite musicals. That said, I felt like the flow of the "story" could've been smoother, and a closer edit/copyedit would've been beneficial since there's one instance of the anti-Romani slur and another character description that could've been edited or smoothed out to be less offensive.
Still, I appreciated the wide range of insights and commentators, and I was left wanting to see the show again!
Still, I appreciated the wide range of insights and commentators, and I was left wanting to see the show again!
October 29, 2022
The actual musical is 5 stars, more than 5 stars. I love it. For these types of books, I prefer more “making of”tidbits - would have liked more stories about securing rights to the songs, song choices, changes that were made between book to movie and then Boston to Broadway. More insider stuff. The photos are very nice and it lays out all the people it takes to put together a show like this - it’s nice that each major contributor gets their own page.
January 24, 2023
This book is spectacular-spectacular, just like the musical. The artwork and design of the book perfectly matches the dazzling artwork and costumes you can expect on Broadway. This is a perfect read for fans or for those who can’t make it to the show but still want to experience the thrill.
August 13, 2024
Ein Muss für jeden Moulin Rouge und Broadway Fan. ❤️
Es gibt tolle Einblicke in die Entwicklung der Bühnenadaption und beschreibt den Weg vom Film zum Broadway Musical.
Außerdem gibt es jede Menge tolle Bilder und Illustrationen die einen mit auf diese Reise nehmen.
Es gibt tolle Einblicke in die Entwicklung der Bühnenadaption und beschreibt den Weg vom Film zum Broadway Musical.
Außerdem gibt es jede Menge tolle Bilder und Illustrationen die einen mit auf diese Reise nehmen.
July 14, 2024
Addy can’t ever turn down moulin rouge content
November 8, 2024
GORGEOUS BOOK FOR A GORGEOUS MUSICAL
November 9, 2024
didn’t hit the same for round 2
January 14, 2026
yes, i Will in fact defend this jukebox musical with my life. does no one want to have fun?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews