Spectacular! Spectacular!
Moulin Rouge! has firmly established itself as a modern classic ever since its release 15 years ago. Who couldn’t fall for a young(er) Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor romancing one another in 19th century Paris by crooning anachronistic love songs like Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ and David Bowie’s ‘Nature Boy’?
Now, Baz Luhrmann’s movie – which was nominated for 8 Oscars in 2002, including Best Film – is being adapted as a stage musical.
Moulin Rouge! the show will be adapted by newcomer Alex Timbers, with a script by John Logan, who wrote the last two Bond movies, Skyfall and Spectre.
Baz Luhrmann said in a statement: “I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love. I immediately recognised the young director’s creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts.
“So I’m tremendously happy to celebrate that Moulin Rouge! will be under his direction and that the book will be the creation of the gifted Tony Award-winning playwright John Logan whose writing I also admire deeply. It’s immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm.”
No word yet on when the show is expected to make it to the stage – or if it will open on Broadway, or – as is increasingly the case these days – in London’s West End.
Let’s hope it’s the latter so we can hop over on a flight, eh?
It’s also uncertain if the stage show will be able to get all the rights to use the famous songs featured in the film. This was an issue with the Sister Act stage musical, for example, which had to create an entirely new soundtrack for the theatrical adaptation.
Finally, what are the chances of getting Nicole and Ewan to recreate their roles on stage? Can you imagine?!
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