Moulin Rouge: The Musical @ Bass Performance Hall (Performing Arts Fort Worth)
Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman of MurphyMade
—Rickey Wax
Performing Arts Fort Worth’s “Broadway at the Bass” series presents Moulin Rouge! The Musical, a screen-to-stage spectacular that dazzles with familiar hits, local talent, and a love story that asks a very old question in a very modern way: what do we sacrifice for survival, and what do we risk for love?
Before a single lyric is sung, the legendary nightclub Moulin Rouge begins to pulse. Performers slowly take the stage, draped in velvet, lace, and attitude. The atmosphere is sultry and electric, hinting at pleasure, danger, and spectacle all at once. The line between performance and reality is immediately blurred—and that becomes the central tension of the show itself.
Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film and adapted for the stage by John Logan, Moulin Rouge! is set in 1899 Paris and told through a whirlwind of over 70 reimagined pop songs. With music from the likes of Elton John, Beyoncé, Sia, and more, it’s a show that constantly shifts in tone and genre but stays grounded in one thing: the human heart.
At the center is Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge. She’s bold, composed, and fiercely independent. But behind the feathers and spotlight is a woman juggling her own truth—one she keeps hidden. When Christian, a wide-eyed composer, falls in love with her, it sets off a conflict between heart and necessity. The Duke of Monroth, powerful and controlling, offers Satine a way to save the club—and herself. One man offers her freedom; the other, stability. But both are unaware of what she’s truly carrying in her mind and heart.
Arianna Rosario gives Satine a mix of poise and vulnerability, never overplaying the drama. Her voice soars in “Firework” and cuts deep in “Diamonds Are Forever,” revealing a woman who knows the show must go on, no matter the cost.
Jay Armstrong Johnson, a Fort Worth native, brings warmth and urgency to Christian. His performance—especially in “Your Song” and “Come What May”—feels genuine and refreshingly free of affectation. The two leads connect beautifully, their duets layered with unspoken tension.
Andrew Brewer plays the Duke with a quiet menace, a reminder that control doesn’t always have to shout. And Robert Petkoff, as ringmaster Zidler, balances charm and desperation; he’s the man who sees the cracks forming under all that glitter.
Other highlights include Danny Burgos as Santiago, Kaitlin Mesh as Nini, and Jahi Kearse as artist Toulouse-Lautrec—each adding color, rhythm, and dimension to a show that could easily drown in style, but doesn’t. Special applause goes to Fort Worth’s own Rodney Thompson as Baby Doll, who lights up every scene he’s in.
The music is relentless—in the best way. From the explosive opener “Lady Marmalade” to the moody mashups of Act Two, the choreography (under associate choreographer Camden Gonzales) keeps the energy alive without overshadowing the emotion. Every dance is a burst of expression, and every movement means something.
What gives Moulin Rouge! its edge isn’t just its soundtrack or sequins. It’s the way the visual elements evolve with the story. Derek McLane’s scenic design takes us from the over-the-top glam of the club to the grittier corners of Montmartre. Lighting designer Justin Townsend paints the show in shades of sparkle and shadow—Act One dazzles, while Act Two sinks into cooler, heavier tones. Catherine Zuber’s costumes follow that same arc, shifting from celebration to something more introspective.
The themes hit hard: the illusion of control, the price of performance, the fear of being seen for who you really are. Satine lives in a world where truth can’t always survive the spotlight—and that tension is what keeps this story from becoming just another romance. It’s a story of art and artifice, where every character is performing in some way—until they can’t anymore.
This show could easily fall apart under the weight of its ambition. The musical styles alone would trip up less agile performers. But here, everything holds—thanks to tight direction, seamless transitions, and a cast that commits fully.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is more than a spectacle. It’s a story about how we love, why we lie, and what we’re willing to give up in order to keep going. With two Fort Worth stars in its cast, it also feels like a proud local moment—Broadway-level talent shining right here at home.
It may be dressed in rhinestones, but the emotions underneath cut clean and deep.
WHEN: JUNE 10-15, 2025
WHERE: 525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
WEB: www.basshall.com
