TRUTH, BEAUTY, FREEDOM, LOVE —
MOULIN ROUGE! LIGHTS UP THE DESERT

A pop-fueled fever dream lands at McCallum Theatre

Moulin Rouge! The Musical took the stage of McCallum Theatre in all its splendor on Tuesday night, where it runs through December 14. I first saw this tour when it launched in 2022, and it was unforgettable then — it still captivates now. Dropping Baz Luhrmann’s high-octane, pop-saturated world into Palm Desert, the show delivers a night of theatre that lingers long after the last confetti falls.

Robert Petkoff and CompanyJay Armstrong Johnson and Arianna Rosario

Set in the vibrant, bohemian underbelly of Paris, Moulin Rouge! The Musical spins its tale inside the city’s most infamous cabaret. At its core is a passionate, doomed love story: Christian, played by Jay Armstrong Johnson, a young idealistic writer armed only with talent and a notebook, falls for Satine, portrayed by Arianna Rosario, the club’s glittering, exhausted star. Their love is real, urgent, and absolutely forbidden. Satine has been promised by cabaret owner Harold Zidler — brought to life by Bobby Daye — to the wealthy Duke of Monroth, played with dangerous allure by Andrew Brewer, whose money is the only thing keeping the Moulin Rouge out of ruin.

Kaitlin Mesh and Danny BurgosAndrew Brewer

As Christian and Satine chase their impossible dream of freedom and love, they are forced into painful compromises and heartbreaking choices. Their private fantasy collides with the harsh realities of the Paris underworld, and the musical leans into that collision — the romance, the sacrifice, and the hope that refuses to die even when the ending is inevitable.

Jay Armstrong Johnson, Arianna Rosario and Company

Johnson navigates Christian’s journey from joy to desperation with remarkable emotional range. His “Your Song” is genuinely swoon-worthy, and when he tears into “Crazy Rolling,” you feel both the rush of love and the panic of losing it. Rosario’s Satine is a knockout: she balances toughness and vulnerability, ambition and fear, in a way that makes every choice believable. Together, their chemistry makes “Come What May” soar rather than simply fulfill a jukebox-musical obligation.

Arianna Rosario and CompanyThe Company

Brewer is a riveting Duke of Monroth, all smooth charm and quiet menace. His sex appeal and confidence almost make you understand why Satine might consider the security he offers — which adds tension and complexity to the triangle. Daye’s Harold Zidler is both entertaining and layered. As the flamboyant impresario, he’s a born showman, but you also see the man behind the mask: his affection for Satine, his terror of financial collapse, and the moral corners he’s willing to cut to keep the cabaret alive.

Jay Armstrong Johnson, Arianna RosarioThe Company

Among the bohemians, Jahi Kearse’s Toulouse-Lautrec lends the story quiet depth and loyalty, anchoring the show whenever the spectacle threatens to spin off into pure fantasy. Danny Burgos’s Santiago, by contrast, is a force of nature — wildly sensual, full of fire, and impossible to ignore. He pulls focus the moment he steps on stage, becoming one of the production’s great pleasures.

Jahi Kearse, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Danny Burgos and CompanyJay Armstrong Johnson, Arianna Rosario

The ensemble is its own star. The company brings boundless energy to the stage, their vocals and Sonya Tayeh’s punchy, sensual choreography fusing into one living, breathing organism. They don’t just decorate the world of the Moulin Rouge — they are the world of the Moulin Rouge.

Arianna Rosario, Jay Armstrong Johnson & CompanyJay Armstrong Johnson

This touring production is, yes, somewhat pared back from its Broadway incarnation — the giant windmill is gone — but under Alex Timbers’ direction, the show never feels small. Derek McLane’s set remains sumptuous, a lush collage of arches, balconies, and neon that wraps the audience in velvet and sin. Justin Townsend’s lighting drenches everything in rich reds, inky blues, and electric pinks that transport you right into the heart of 19th-century Paris nightlife. Catherine Zuber’s costumes are as extravagant as ever: corsets, trains, tails, and sparkle for days.

Arianna RosarioRenee Marie Titus, Amara Berhan, Kaitlin Mesh and Rodney Thompson

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a sensory feast. It reimagines the iconic soundtrack of Luhrmann’s 2001 film for a new century, folding in additional pop hits and contemporary favorites. The mash-ups don’t just “blend” songs; they smash eras together in ways that are clever, unexpected, and often thrilling. The show stays true to Luhrmann’s original vision while carving out its own identity as a theatrical event.

Robert Petkoff & Company

As soon as the curtain came down, the McCallum audience leapt to its feet. The excitement in the theatre was palpable. This tour isn’t a simple rehash of the movie; it’s a reimagining that brings fresh energy, bigger emotions, and a very live charge to the material. Whether you adore the film or just want a lavish, high-octane night out, this Moulin Rouge! is absolutely worth the ticket.

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photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Moulin Rouge! The Musical
2025 National Tour
McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr in Palm Desert
Thurs at 7; Fri. & Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 1
2 hours 45 minutes, with one intermission
ends on December 14, 2025
for tickets ($97.99-$207.99), visit McCallum

tour continues; for dates and cities, visit Moulin Rouge Musical

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