Check out new photos of award-winning rapper, songwriter, and actor Megan Thee Stallion, who made her Broadway debut in the
Tony-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical last month, in the gallery below.
Megan Thee Stallion has stepped into the traditionally
male role of
Zidler (formerly Harold Zidler, the part created by Tony winner Danny
Burstein) for a limited engagement through May 17 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. She is
making history as the first female-identifying performer to play the
role, not
only in the Broadway production but in any Moulin Rouge! production worldwide. (The artist will not appear at the April 26, May 2, and May 10 performances.)
As previously reported, Eric Anderson, who originated the role of Harold Zidler in early workshops and eventually played the role on Broadway for two years, will return to the part May 19. Moulin Rouge! The Musical has also extended an additional five weeks and will now play its final performance on Broadway August 30.
Purchase Moulin Rouge! merchandise in the Playbill Store.
The Broadway cast also includes Christian Douglas as Christian, Kelsie Watts as Satine, André Ward
as Toulouse-Lautrec, David Harris as The Duke of Monroth, Ricky Rojas as
Santiago, Samantha Dodemaide as Nini Hailee, and Arianna Rosario as the Satine Alternate.
In an earlier statement Megan Thee Stallion said, “Stepping onto the Broadway stage and joining the Moulin Rouge! The Musical
team is an absolute honor. I’ve always believed in pushing myself
creatively and theatre is definitely a new opportunity that I’m excited
to embrace. Broadway demands a different level of discipline,
preparation, and storytelling, but I’m up for the challenge and can’t
wait for the Hotties to see a new side of me.”
“Welcoming Megan Thee Stallion into the Moulin Rouge! The Musical
community is a thrilling moment for us,” added producer Carmen
Pavlovic. “Megan is a true global superstar. She is one of the most
influential artists of her generation and her impact on music and
culture is undeniable. This historic casting is a major part of our
closing celebrations: our farewell gift to Broadway audiences and one of
our biggest announcements in the history of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
We want our show to go out with a spectacular bang, and Megan is the
force of nature to lead us there. And yes, there will be a hint of music
from her own iconic catalogue. It’s an unmissable moment for both
Megan’s fans and ours.”
Megan Thee Stallion is a three-time Grammy-winning
recording artist who has enjoyed three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits,
including “HISS,” “Savage (Remix)” with Beyoncé, and “WAP” with Cardi B.
The multihyphenate has also acted in Dicks: The Musical, the 2024 Mean Girls film, STARZ’s hit show P-Valley, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. She also hosted the MTV Video Music Awards, Saturday Night Live, and co-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
READ: 9 Times Broadway Replacements Led to Gender-Bending Roles
The production is directed by Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan
(based on the Baz Luhrmann-directed movie of the same name) and
choreography by Sonya Tayeh. The score features covers of “Firework” by
Katy Perry, “Your Song” by Elton
John, and “Chandelier” by Sia, among many other modern pop songs. The
story takes place at Paris’ famed Moulin Rouge and follows the tragic
love story between performer Satine and composer Christian.
The production’s music team includes musical supervisor Justin
Levine, music producer Matt Stine, and music director Andrew Graham.
Orchestrations are by Levine, Stine, Katie Kresek, and Charlie Rosen,
with dance arrangements by Levine and Stine.
Also on the creative team are scenic designer Derek McLane, costume
designer Catherine Zuber, lighting designer Justin Townsend, sound
designer Peter Hylenski, hair designer David Brian Brown, and makeup
designer Sarah Cimino, with creative services by Luhrmann and Catherine
Martin. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Stephen Kopel. Star casting is by Whitley Theatrical.
READ: Ricky Rojas Has a ‘Pinch-Me Moment’ Every Night in Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical
In addition to Best Musical, the production won Tonys for Best
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Aaron Tveit), Best
Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Danny Burstein), Best
Choreography (Tayeh), Best Direction of a Musical (Timbers), Best
Orchestrations (Levine, Kresek, Rosen, and Stine), Best Scenic Design of
a Musical (McLane), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Zuber), Best
Lighting Design of a Musical (Townsend), and Best Sound Design of a
Musical (Hylenski).
Having performed to over 12 million audience members across 15 productions worldwide, Moulin Rouge! is also currently playing North America on a national tour,
in London’s West End, Germany, Korea, The Netherlands, a world tour, and
in non-replica productions in Scandinavia and Italy.
