Moulin Rouge – The Musical at Belk Theater

Set in the cultural period during the late 19th century, Moulin Rouge! The Musical was heavily inspired by French history. The show is set in and is all about the dealings of a real nightclub in Montmartre, Paris, titled the Moulin Rouge, where the patrons come for unadulterated fun. By the turn of the 20th century, Moulin Rouge became renowned for its French Cabaret elegance – vibrant, free-spirited, and pure party entertainment. This Parisian entertainment venue that the show was based on also impacted the production's preparation, with Baz Luhrmann and the Broadway play's creative team stating that they did take parts of the actual Bohemian period, and it can undoubtedly be seen in the show. The set design, costume design, musical arrangements, and actual performances (which features a lot of can-can dance) all clearly pay homage to to the 2001 adaptation of Moulin Rouge.

It is in this period of history leading up to the 1900s and right in the middle of the French La Belle Époque, a duration pointed to as the peak of beauty and spreading artistry, where the romantic tale of two lovers finally begins. Christian, an American writer who travels to Paris, France aiming for a successful passion, meets Satine, the favorite entertainer of the Moulin Rouge. The couple, despite many oncoming trials and tribulations, fall madly in love and are forced into a concealed relationship with each other caused by the Duke of Monroth's intervention.

Contrary to other accounts, the duration of La Belle Époque was attacked by even locals not as a time period of peace and harmony. Historians believe that this decade were all about overindulgence and abuse of the rich. Moulin Rouge! The Musical, however, chose to showcase the decade in a more positive perspective by focusing on the romantic Bohemian values of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, as seen through Christian and Satine’s evolving love story throughout the show.

In this decade, theatre fans have the opportunity to relive the entertainment most likely also loved by the original patrons of the Moulin Rouge, as Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be produced at an equally colorful and breathtaking venue, Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. With interior decor just as sprightly as the set design that it is staging, Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is the ideal fit for Moulin Rouge’s limited showing on Wednesday 27th May 2026. Seats are now available for purchase through the links that can be clicked on at the top of this page.