Exciting Cast Revealed for Australian Premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s Beloved Bohemian Musical
Opens in Melbourne August 13
Global Creatures has announced the cast and creatives of the Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The highly anticipated stage show, which is based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, premiered on Broadway in July 2019 and will premiere at Melbourne’s newly renovated Regent Theatre from August 13.
Alinta Chidzey (Chicago, West Side Story) will star as the sparkling diamond, Satine (played by Nicole Kidman in the film), opposite newcomer Des Flanagan as bohemian dreamer Christian (played by Ewan McGregor in the film).
Simon Burke AO will play legendary club impresario Harold Zidler and Andrew Cook will play The Duke.
Montmartre’s resident artistes will be played by Tim Omaji as Toulouse-Lautrec and Ryan Gonzalez as Santiago.
The club’s famed entertainers known as the ‘Lady Ms’ will be played by Samantha Dodemaide as Nini, Elenoa Rokobaro as Arabia, Ruva Ngwenya as La Chocolat, and Christopher J Scalzo as Babydoll.
The Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical was first announced in August 2019. Read our article here.
Also joining the company is Fabian Andrés, Amy Berrisford, Devon Braithwaite, James Bryers, Anica Calida, Kahlia Davis, Rodney Dobson, Joseph Donovan, Jarrod Draper, Bayley John Edmends, Brittany Ford, Chaska Halliday, Scout Hook, Graeme Isaako, Keian Langdon, Bree Langridge, David Ouch, Sam Parkes, Clay Roberts, Emma Russell, Maxwell Simon, Kara Sims, David Sirianni and Patrice Tipoki.
Open call auditions were held earlier this year to find this spectacular spectacular cast, with producers receiving over 2000 submissions and auditioning 479 performers to fill 34 roles.
Global Creatures CEO and Producer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Carmen Pavlovic said, “In January and February of this year we sought to cast the show in a COVID-safe way while also opening up the process to artists who may not have had an agent or been in a show before. I’m so proud of every single person who auditioned for us, all of whom exhibited the utmost professionalism under unusual circumstances.
“After a rigorous and often exhilarating few months, we are privileged to bring you this group of immensely talented performers who we believe embody the bohemian values of this production: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.”
Directed by Alex Timbers (Tony Award-nominated for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Peter and the Starcatcher), Moulin Rouge! The Musical has a book by John Logan, choreography by Sonya Tayeh (Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for Kung Fu, and Emmy winner), and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Justin Levine.
In the Australian production Jacinta Johns has been announced as the Associate Director, Danielle Billios as the Associate Choreographer, and Travis Khan as the Resident Choreographer. See the full local creatives here.
As in the film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical celebrates some of the greatest popular music of the last 50 years. The stage musical features many of the iconic songs from the movie and also includes recent hits released since the movie premiered 20 years ago.
The Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical will not only be the first international production of the musical, but due to the ongoing Broadway shutdown, Melbourne will be the only place in the world the show can be seen when performances begin in August.
Director Alex Timbers said, “We were lucky enough to meet several hundred fiercely talented actors in the audition process over the past few months, across Sydney, Melbourne, and through video submissions. The calibre of these performers was truly staggering, and it was clear to everyone on the artistic team what an incredible creative epicentre Australia is for musical theatre. I’m thrilled with the brilliant cast of 34 we’ve assembled and simply can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with them and for audiences in Melbourne to be as dazzled as we are by their power, skill, humour, and heart.
Melbourne local Alinta Chidzey completed the audition process whilst pregnant and welcomed her first child last month. Of stepping into the role of Satine, Alinta said, “It’s an absolute thrill to take on this iconic role that’s so deeply rooted in Australia’s creative history. To ignite this exquisite story of love for the first time on stage in Australia with an exceptional cast and creative team is going to be nothing short of magnificent!”
Originally hailing from Beechworth, Victoria, Des Flanagan said of playing Christian, “I was lucky enough to see the show on Broadway and was struck by how immersive the entire experience was; it was like nothing I’d seen before. It’s been a dream of mine to play this character, and to be able to do so in my home state is extremely special.”
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said of the announcement;“Melbourne will be the only place in the world to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical when it opens in August, which is great news for Australian audiences and local performers. With the cast now assembled, excitement is building for this spectacular production to spread its energy and passion throughout the city.”
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements added: “Visit Victoria is proud to support Moulin Rouge! The Musical and we look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to the cultural capital of Australia for this exclusive show.”
#moulinmusicalAU
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
MELBOURNE – Regent Theatre
From August 13
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
