Offering a no-fail entertainment option this holiday season, Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings a dazzling spectacle of extravagance, passion, and unforgettable glamour to the Toronto stage. This electrifying feel-good show – the stage adaptation of the famed 2001 film – is the winner of 10 Tony Awards (including best musical) and is jam-packed with all the radio hits you know and love from recent decades. Through its captivating storyline and a crowd-pleasing score, it invites the audience into a world where bohemians and aristocrats mingle in a forgone era of romantic enchantment. The biggest draws of the colourful musical include the clever incorporation of contemporary songs, the impressive dancing, and – best of all – the stunning and intricately designed costumes.
Celebrated Broadway costume designer Catherine Zuber is the creative visionary behind these wearable pieces of art. “When I first started the design process for Moulin Rouge, one of the most important considerations was capturing the energetic vitality of the film,” says Zuber. “ Also, it was important to design costumes for each character’s journey which were detailed not only in their visual appeal, but illuminate the storytelling.”
For those in the dark, the musical is set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the 20th century. It tells the story of Christian, a young American composer, who falls in love with Satine, a star cabaret actress at the infamous Moulin Rouge nightclub.
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The creative process involved detailed meetings with the director and creative team, recalls Zuber. “Our brilliant director, Alex Timbers, guided us to adhere to a cohesive visual aesthetic,” she says. “I did research on the period, looking at paintings, prints, photographs, and journals. I then sketched the principal characters, developing the arc of their emotional journey. Next came the ensemble. The next step was designing the colour palette for each scene.”
By nature, Moulin Rouge offers a unique challenge from other productions Zuber has worked on in the past. “The interesting challenge of Moulin Rouge is the blend of a period aesthetic with a contemporary spin,” says Zuber. “The story takes place in 1899, but the music is contemporary. It was such a delightful exercise in experimenting, developing and creating just the right combination.”
It’s a difficult task to pick a favourite costume – for both the audience and Zuber. “There are so many of the costumes that are favourites,” she says. “But I would have to say that I especially love Satine’s Roxanne gown. Her red velvet and satin gown against the deep midnight blues of Derek McLane’s gorgeous set design for the Duke’s apartment is so provocative.”
Zuber says the attention to detail in each costume inevitably involves many decisions. “People are surprised to know that a costume designer is responsible for the entire visual look, from head to toe,” she says. “Millinery, accessories, footwear, undergarments, hosiery, jewelry etc. Also, all the fabrics for each costume are carefully chosen and considered. In Moulin Rouge, over 2,000 different fabrics are used to create the costumes.”
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Like the film, the costumes undoubtedly play a defining role in the production. But special considerations go into designing for the stage. “The costumes for the stage need to be constructed differently,” says Zuber. “They need to be worn up to nine performances a week. The infrastructure requires durability without appearing too heavy or bulky. Also, for a stage production, there are always many quick changes. The costumes have discrete but sturdy zippers, magnets and other tricks of the trade utilized to facilitate the costume changes that occur throughout the performance. Some of Satine’s elaborate changes are only 15 seconds!”
Furthermore, Zuber says that the costumes need to be interesting for the audience members both in the first row and the last row of the balcony.
Like many who experience it, Zuber remains a long-time fan of the overall production. “In all of the productions of Moulin Rouge, the cast is consistently so brilliantly talented,” she says. “The choreography, singing and acting are exemplary. The energy is high, and the commitment to providing the audience with a memorable experience is beautifully genuine.”
Moulin Rouge! The Musical will continue to draw an eclectic audience to the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre through January 12, 2025.
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