NOTE: this guide is written in American English. Copy should be localized in other territories.
OUR VOICE
The voice of Moulin Rouge! The Musical takes its cues from the voice of Harold Zidler himself, the welcoming, ebullient host of the nightclub. We are enthusiastic, welcoming, positive, encouraging, and grand, being careful to never be over the top. We tease, we make big gestures, but we always leave audiences wanting more.
Above all, we embrace the bohemian values of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.
| WHAT WE ARE | WHAT WE AREN’T |
|---|---|
| Edgy | Aged |
| Seductive | Vulgar |
| Welcoming | Exclusive |
| A new musical | The film onstage |
| Contemporary | Period |
| A mash-up musical | A jukebox/catalog musical |
| Sensual | Saccharine |
In practice, the welcoming tone of voice for Moulin Rouge! The Musical extends to Global Creatures’ broader commitment to inclusivity. If you can ‘see it, be it’ – so when producing marketing and publicity material, please pay close attention to who is being portrayed in terms of gender, age and cultural background.
FUNDAMENTALS
- The full title of the show – Moulin Rouge! The Musical – must appear, including the exclamation point, and the first letters of “The Musical” must be capitalized.
- Exceptions:
- When spoken by a character within the context of the show, or quoting the character (e.g., Satine: “Welcome to the Moulin Rouge.”)
- When riffing off Zidler’s monologue to include the word ‘musical’: “Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical, it is a state of mind.”
- Exceptions:
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical should appear in italics.
- Exception: Social media channels where italics is not allowed
- The movie should appear in all caps: MOULIN ROUGE!
- The Paris venue should appear as Moulin Rouge (no caps, no italics, no exclamation point). The ‘Moulin Rouge of Paris’ is acceptable in instances where the club, movie and musical need to be distinguished.
- “Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love” should always appear in that order. “And” may be inserted before “Love”. Also, for emphasis, the line may appear as “Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and – above all – Love!” (Note: the phrase in the show is sometimes re-ordered, for instance the track “Truth Beauty Freedom Love”, the last sung line is ‘Freedom, Beauty, Truth and Love.’).
- Song lyrics should appear in quotes (e.g. “Come What May”), unless designed within a graphic and the lyric is standing alone. Remember: use of lyrics in paid marketing has licensing restrictions – refer the Audio section for more information.
- When writing ‘Lady Ms’, particularly in artwork, use sizing of the ‘s’ to ensure it doesn’t read as ‘Miss/Ms.’ For body copy use ‘Lady Ms’.
- Except if strictly not practical, the show logo should always be accompanied by
- “Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life” (known as “the Baz line”) above the logo in consumer-facing marketing materials, or, on program title page, “Based on the 2001 Twentieth Century Studios Motion Picture by Baz Luhrmann” below the logo.
A NOTE ON DATES
The following dates are often referenced marketing:
- The oldest song in the show is Offenbach’s “Galop Infernal” (synonymous with the can-can song) from 1858.
- The Moulin Rouge of Paris first opened in 1889.
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical is set in 1899 (although this is included in the script, this date is never vocalized in the show).
- MOULIN ROUGE! is set in 1900 (this appears on-screen in the first moments of the film).
- MOULIN ROUGE! was released in 2001.
Avoid using fixed dates as these become outdated quickly, e.g.:
- Instead of saying the film is 23 years old, say “nearly 25 years old” or from May 2021 “more than two decades old.”
- Instead of saying the Moulin Rouge is 135 years old, say “more than a century old.”
- Instead of saying 162 years of music, say “more than 160 years of music.”
APPROVED COPY – MARKETING
Marketing Blurb – Full Version w/ Creative Team (146 Words)
Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical!
Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.
Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
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.
Short Marketing Blurb (69 Words)
Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical!
Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. A celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.
Marketing Speak:
- Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical
- Experience the spectacular
- Bohemians… (used when addressing fans)
- Example social post: “Bohemians, you’re in luck! A new block of tickets is now on sale to Moulin Rouge! The Musical – just in time for the holidays!”
- Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life
- Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza
Script Phrases*:
- Welcome to the Moulin Rouge! (Zidler or Satine)
- Why else live, if not for love? (Satine)
- What is it we believe in? Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and – above all – Love! (Bohemians)
- This is a story about love. About passionate love, and desperate love, and foolish love! And the kind of love you never forget. (Christian)
- Because we can-can-can! (Zidler)
- The Moulin Rouge is a state of mind! (Zidler)
- No matter your sin, you’re welcome here. No matter your desire, you’re welcome here. For this is more than a nightclub. The Moulin Rouge is a state of mind! (Zidler)
- This is where all your dreams come true! You are the Moulin Rouge! (Zidler)
Song Lyrics:
Song lyric segments can be used in organic social media. Any use of song lyrics in paid media or on merchandise items requires advance permission from the publishers:
- “How wonderful life is…” (“Your Song” from Elephant Love Medley)
- “Because we can-can-can” or “Everybody can-can!” (“Can-Can” from Welcome to the Moulin Rouge)
- “Shine bright like a diamond” (“Diamonds” from The Sparkling Diamond)
- “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return” (“Nature Boy”)
- “Come what may” (“Come What May”)
APPROVED COPY – REVIEW QUOTES
NOTE: As is customary in the USA, the quotes below may be an amalgam of different sections of the review. Please use quotes as per the media etiquette in your territory.
Top Quotes
- “Spectacular! Euphoric! “In ‘Moulin Rouge,’ life is beautiful.” – The New York Times
- “Forbidden pleasures abound in this spectacular musical.” – The New York Times
- “Spectacular. Extravagant. Its shine is dazzling.” – Time Out
- “A fabulous new musical. The high begins the instant you walk into the theater.” – NY Post
- “Eye-popping spectacle and off-the-charts energy.” – Hollywood Reporter
- “A knockout night at the theater…an emotional wallop.” – NPR
- “Soothe yourself in the vast champagne bubble bath that is ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical.’” – The New York Times
Long Quotes:
- “Euphoric. Gasp-inspiring. Forbidden pleasures abound in this SPECTACULAR musical. In ‘Moulin Rouge,’ life is beautiful.” – The New York Times
- “Forbidden pleasures abound in this spectacular musical. Gasp-inspiring. Dazzling. Euphoric. ‘Moulin Rouge’ offers a party for the ages, with the febrile energy you may associate with the wilder parties of your youth. A cloud-surfing, natural high of a production. In ‘Moulin Rouge,’ life is beautiful.” – The New York Times
Jukebox Musical Quotes:
Note: These quotes are not typically used, as “jukebox musical” is a pejorative to some. However, if Moulin Rouge! The Musical is being advertised in a city where competing jukebox musicals are playing – e.g. Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Tina – these quotes can help set our show apart:
- “Moulin Rouge is the sparkling diamond of jukebox musicals.” – New York Magazine
- “The jukebox musical to end all jukebox musicals – it’s hard to imagine how it can be topped.” – Time Out
- “Just as the jukebox musical seemed to have run its course, along comes ‘Moulin Rouge!’ and suddenly we’re in love again.” – NY1
Short quotes:
These can be used together, in abundance, to promote the excess of the show:
- “Spectacular.” – The New York Times
- “Spectacular.” – EW
- “Spectacular spectacular.” – NY1
- “Spectacular.” – Time Out
- “Spectacular.” – Vogue
- “Spectacular.” – TheatreMania
- “Spectacular.” – New York Stage Review
- “Gasp-inspiring” – The New York Times
- “Dazzling” – The New York Times
- “Pulses with thrills” – The New York Times
- “Glittering and sensual” – The New York Times
- “Delectable” – New York Times (print)
- “Gorgeously flashy” – Variety
- “Divinely decadent.” – Variety
- “Extravagant” – Time Out
- “Simply breathtaking” – Rolling Stone
- “Nothing short of a sensation” – Daily Mail UK
APPROVED COPY – AWARDS
Outer Critics Circle Special Honors (note up to five honorees were awarded per category):
- Outstanding New Broadway Musical
- Outstanding Director Of a Musical – Alex Timbers
- Outstanding Choreography – Sonya Tayeh
- Outstanding Orchestrations – Justin Levine With Matt Stein, Katie Kresek, And Charlie Rosen
- Outstanding Actress In A Musical – Karen Olivo
- Outstanding Actor In A Musical – Aaron Tveit
- Outstanding Featured Actor In A Musical – Danny Burstein
- Outstanding Scenic Design (Play Or Musical) – Derek McLane
- Outstanding Costume Design (Play Or Musical) – Catherine Zuber
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Play Or Musical) – Justin Townsend
- Outstanding Sound Design (Play Or Musical) – Peter Hylenski
Drama Desk Awards:
- Outstanding Choreography – Sonya Tayeh
- Outstanding Set Design Of A Musical – Derek McLane
- Outstanding Costume Design Of A Musical – Catherine Zuber
- Outstanding Lighting Design Of A Musical – Justin Townsend
- Outstanding Sound Design Of A Musical – Peter Hylenski
Drama League Awards:
- Outstanding Production Of A Musical
- Distinguished Performance Award – Danny Burstein
Tony Awards:
Winner! 10 Tony Awards® including:
- Best Musical
- Best Direction of a Musical – Alex Timbers
- Best Choreography – Sonya Tayeh
- Best Orchestrations – Justin Levine with Matt Stine, Katie Kresek and Charlie Rosen
- Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Aaron Tveit
- Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical – Danny Burstein
- Best Scenic Design in a Musical – Derek McLane
- Best Costume Design in a Musical – Catherine Zuber
- Best Lighting Design in a Musical – Justin Townsend
- Best Sound Design of a Musical – Peter Hylenski
The New York Times – Best Theater of 2019 Selection
Grammy Nomination:
- Best Musical Theater Album
APPROVED COPY – BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Full Synopsis:
This has only been used in the liner notes of the Original Broadway Cast Recording.
The full script is available upon request from John Lanasa.
Short Synopsis:
Set in Paris, 1899, a world of indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, of bohemians and aristocrats, of boulevardiers and reprobates, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the story of a lovesick American writer, Christian, and Satine, the dazzling star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub. When their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be thwarted by the nightclub’s host and impresario, Harold Zidler, and The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of the club who thinks he can buy anything he wants, including Satine. Together with his bohemian friends – the brilliant and starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec, and the greatest tango dancer in all of Paris, Santiago – Christian stages a musical spectacular in an attempt to save the Moulin Rouge and win the heart of Satine. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and – above all – Love!
About the Show:
Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, led by a creative team at the top of their game. Tony Award®-winner John Logan wrote the book (adapted from the screenplay by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce), with direction by Tony Award®-winner Alex Timbers, choreography by Tony Award®-winner Sonya Tayeh, and musical direction, orchestrations, and arrangement by Tony Award®-winner Justin Levine. Moulin Rouge! The Musical explodes the fantastic vision created by Baz Luhrmann in the film, inviting the audience into a heady world that’s part nightclub, part dance hall, part theater, part dreamscape. Featuring 70 songs, representing 160 composers and 30 music publishers, spanning over 160 years of popular music from Offenbach to Lady Gaga, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a musical mash-up extravaganza that celebrates the very best of Broadway.
About the Music:
[INTERNAL NOTE: Please also read the A NOTE ON MUSIC FACTS & FIGURES section below and, legally, artist names cannot be used in promotion without permission from the artist. We have no formal permission and stay away from using artist names in marketing materials EXCEPT in press release text, because the press will most likely mention the artists no matter what we do. We also allow use of artist names on a show’s website if not very prominent, i.e., not on a home page but within the site on a different page. We do not allow/authorize use of artist names in other marketing materials.]
Moulin Rouge! The Musical celebrates over 160 years of music – from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. The stage musical features many of the iconic songs from the movie as well as additions from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Rihanna, Beyoncé and more.
Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, and Arranger Justin Levine remixed and mashed-up over 70 songs to create a pop score unique in musical theater while still firmly rooted in character and storytelling. The result is a musical extravaganza unlike anything else.
Songs featured as heard in MOULIN ROUGE!:
- “Lady Marmalade”
- “Material Girl”
- “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”
- “Nature Boy”
- “Because We Can”
- “Your Song”
- “Children of the Revolution”
- “Come What May”
- “Roxanne”
- “Elephant Love Medley” (“Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong”, “All You Need Is Love”, “Just One Night”, “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, “Heroes”, “I Will Always Love You”).
Additional songs for Moulin Rouge! The Musical:
- “Diamonds Are Forever”
- “Single Ladies”
- “Firework”
- “Chandelier”
- “Crazy”
- “Rolling in the Deep”
- “Bad Romance”
- “Toxic”
- “Sympathy for the Devil”
- “Shut Up and Dance”
- “Raise Your Glass”
- “Royals”
- “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
- “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”
- …plus a dozen new songs in the Love Medley.
About the Film:
Released by 20th Century Studios, Baz Luhrmann’s MOULIN ROUGE! premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. It won Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) at the Golden Globes and was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two.
Filmed in Sydney, Australia, MOULIN ROUGE! is credited with reviving the movie musical, and its soundtrack became an instant hit.
[Internal note: Luhrmann says the story of MOULIN ROUGE! references the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, rather than the more obvious parallel with La Boheme.]
About the Moulin Rouge of Paris:
NOTE: this text has been approved by MRP and cannot be trimmed.
The Moulin Rouge of Paris, managed by Jean-Jacques Clerico (CEO), is a dazzling and spectacular universe, the symbol of the Parisian way of celebrating since 1889.
Starting life as a popular cabaret and dance hall, the venue became an iconic music hall in the Roaring Twenties, and then a theatre where numerous famous French and international artists stepped out into the limelight. Today, the Moulin Rouge and its 60 artists present the Féerie revue show: two hours of amazement between cabaret and music hall styles where dance scenes and surprise acts intersperse – without forgetting the Moulin Rouge’s most emblematic dance, the French Cancan! Since its creation, the Moulin Rouge of Paris has always been an invitation to live and share all the emotions and effervescence of a unique party extravaganza.
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A NOTE ON MUSIC FACTS & FIGURES
Early marketing for the show used variants of the below lines:
“Book writer John Logan (Red, Skyfall) expanded the story and, in working with musical arranger/orchestrator Justin Levine, also expanded the score to feature 70 songs, representing 160 composers and 30 music publishers, spanning 120 years – from Offenbach to Lady Gaga.”
Or
“This is a journey that began over 10 years ago, spanning 3 continents, encompassing 70 songs credited to 160 composers, 30 music publishers, and 120 years of popular song.”
Or
…“celebrates some of the greatest popular music of the last 50 years.”
The above can cause confusion as:
- The music publisher count changes over time as rights are transferred between music publishers.
- The ‘over 10 years ago’ will become less meaningful as time moves on.
- The ‘120 years of popular song’ uses the fictional setting of the stage show (1899) as its anchor.
- The ‘last 50 years’ date ignores the classical song inclusions and misses some well-known inclusions (e.g., “Nature Boy” was first released by Nat King Cole in 1961).
- The ‘composer’ count is actually both composers and lyricists.
For simplicity and accuracy and to provide a level of timelessness, the following is now used:
“Bringing Moulin Rouge! The Musical to the stage was a decade-long journey, spanning 3 continents, encompassing over 70 songs, representing over 160 years of music.”
In the instance where more detail is required (e.g., a media release specifically focused on the music), the following is used:
“Bringing Moulin Rouge! The Musical to the stage was a decade-long journey, spanning 3 continents, encompassing 75 songs credited to 165 songwriters, administered by 31 publishers, representing over 160 years of music.”
NOTE: this extended version includes “Pitch Prelude” in the song count, which was written specifically for the musical by Justin Levine, so be wary of making any absolute statements regarding the show having no original music. The “31 publisher” count may change over time, but is correct as of September 24, 2020.
APPROVED COPY – BIOS
Creative team bios last updated May 2026 at the time of Broadway Playbill
John Logan, Book: John Logan received the Tony award for his play Red. Musical theater work includes Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Last Ship and Swept Away. As a screenwriter, Logan has been nominated for the Oscar three times and has received Golden Globe, BAFTA, WGA, Edgar, and PEN Center awards. His film work includes Skyfall, The Aviator, Gladiator, Sweeney Todd, Spectre, Hugo, Rango, Alien: Covenant, Genius, Coriolanus, The Last Samurai, They/Them, Star Trek: Nemesis and Any Given Sunday. He created and produced the television series Penny Dreadful for Showtime.
Alex Timbers, Director: Alex Timbers is the recipient of Tony, Golden Globe, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and London Evening Standard Awards, as well as two Obie and Lortel Awards. Broadway credits include Beetlejuice; David Byrne’s American Utopia; Oh, Hello with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney; The Pee-wee Herman Show; Disney’s Peter and the Starcatcher; and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (also bookwriter). TV: “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City” (Netflix), “Mozart in the Jungle” (Amazon). His debut picture book, Broadway Bird, set in an all-animal version of Broadway, is published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan.
Sonya Tayeh, Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh received a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor, and a Tony Award for her work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Selected credits include: Sing Street (NYTW/Broadway), Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Colonial Theatre/Broadway), “Rent: Live” (Fox), The Lucky Ones (Ars Nova), Martha Graham Dance Company’s “Lamentation Variations” series (The Joyce Theatre/World Tour), American Ballet Theatre: What Becomes of Love? For a deeper look, visit sonyatayeh.com.
Justin Levine, Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, Arrangements, & Additional Lyrics: Justin Levine received an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor and a Tony Award for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and a Grammy nomination as a co-producer of the show’s cast album. His recent credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Delacorte, Drama Desk nomination), Vevo X Lorde: “Melodrama” (Electric Lady Studios), Contemporary Color (David Byrne, Barclays Center), The Outsiders (Goodman Theater), Here Lies Love (Public Theater, National Theatre, Seattle Rep, MASS MoCA), The Weight of Smoke (Paul Taylor/Doug Elkins, Lincoln Center), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Broadway/Public Theater), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Delacorte), The Robber Bridegroom (Roundabout), Murder Ballad (MTC/Union Square).
Derek McLane, Scenic Designer: Derek McLane received a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor, and a Tony Award for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. He has designed over 350 productions for Broadway, Off-Broadway, internationally, and for TV. His over 40 credits include Burn This, The Parisian Woman, Anything Goes, The Price, Fully Committed, Beautiful, Ragtime, I Am My Own Wife, and 33 Variations (Tony Award). He has designed the Academy Awards for six years (Emmy Award) and has designed four live musicals for NBC, including “Hairspray” (Emmy Award).
Catherine Zuber, Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber received a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor, and a Tony Award for her work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Her select Broadway credits include Mrs. Doubtfire, My Fair Lady (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC awards), Oslo, War Paint (Drama Desk, OCC awards), Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I (Olivier, Tony, OCC awards), Gigi (Drama Desk Award), The Royal Family (Tony Award), South Pacific (Tony Award), The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), The Light in the Piazza (Tony Award), Awake and Sing! (Tony Award). Catherine is a 2017 recipient of the Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2016.
Justin Townsend, Lighting Designer: Broadway: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Tony Award), Jagged Little Pill (Tony nom.), St. Joan, Present Laughter, The Little Foxes, The Humans (Tony nom.), American Psycho (Tony nom.), Fool for Love, Casa Valentina, A Night With Janis Joplin, Vanya and Sonia…, The Other Place, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Also with Timbers: Here Lies Love. Incoming Chair of the Department of Design for Stage and Film at NYU.
Peter Hylenski, Sound Designer Peter received a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor, and a Tony Award for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. He is a Grammy, Olivier, and eight-time Tony nominee. Selected designs include: Frozen, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Almost Famous, Once on This Island, Something Rotten!, King Kong, Rock of Ages, After Midnight, Motown, The Scottsboro Boys, Side Show, Rocky, Bullets Over Broadway, Shrek the Musical, On a Clear Day, Lend Me a Tenor, Elf, Wonderland, Cry Baby, The Times They Are A-Changin’, The Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Walking With Dinosaurs, How to Train Your Dragon (international arena tours), Le Reve and Lake of Dreams at Wynn, Las Vegas. He’s designed for Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and The Kennedy Center.
