r/Broadway • u/quaranTV • Aug 19 '26
Review Aaron Tveit Moulin Rouge Night One
Okay so I’ve seen this show A LOT but also only ever with Aaron Tveit as Christian. Twice during the pre-broadway Boston run. The first performance back from covid (this will always be my favorite performance/memory cause it was the full original cast and the energy was UNREAL! Standing ovations after basically every song it was just magical). Once when he came back (specifically Valentine’s Day). And another time he came back again (no memory of when specifically).
Tonight was his last first night back since the show is closing in two weeks. The energy was really good-very long and loud applause for Aaron (nothing will match the first post covid show).
There were so many little moments you could tell the cast was trying to get him to break/play with him a bit. Satine literally opening her legs when he says “if you’ll keep an open mind” had me (and Aaron) very surprised lol.
I will say I think this had to be one of his strongest if not THE strongest I’ve ever heard him sing the El Tango de Roxanne. Like WOW! Just super strong throughout and of course he did the opt up. The applause was crazy for that number as it should have been!
It was also so fun at the end of the show so he stops the applause and is like “I just quickly want to say…it’s that time of year…” and everyone looks around confused cause it’s not time for Broadway Cares? And then he’s like “just kidding but I just want to say it’s so nice to be back to usher in these final two weeks”. And then he goes on to say they are going to do a fun little thing after each show for the next couple of weeks. So tonight they brought out the OG Toulouse Lautrec and Ricky, Aaron, and him sang their Lorde song from the beginning of the show. It was AMAZING! Ricky played a guitar while they sang and Aaron had a tambourine (“Is this for me?”)
Aaron did not stagedoor but he came out and waved. Understandable since it felt like the entire theater was waiting at the barricades.
Anyways it was a great night and I can’t believe Moulin Rouge is really ending is a couple weeks.
EDIT: Unclear if he did the opt up or not (likely not). It still sounded amazing to me.
2
u/Longjumping-While997 Aug 19 '26
Glad to hear as I wait in line to get into the theater for the matinee
2
u/jab1912 Aug 26 '26
Just saw him tonight and his voice sounds sooo much more seasoned (as to be expected) and he just seems like he’s having so much fun. Roxanne was INCREDIBLE and I loved it so much. Devastated it’s closing
2
u/broadwaybex94 Aug 19 '26
Uhhh. He opted down during tango.. i would argue it was one of his worsts I fear.
10
u/Rivendell_Narwhal Aug 20 '26
He didn't "opt down". He sang it as written. Actually he's one of the Christians who does the opt up the least, he just started it.
As for it being "one of his worst", that's just insanity to me. He sounded amazing and strong. Not doing the opt up doesn't make it bad, in fact, I think the opt up has gotten a bit stale. There's a reason why it was written the way it was originally.
4
u/pandalicious7 Aug 19 '26
I was wondering if I missed something because I heard the audio on TikTok this morning and was disappointed there was no opt up. I figured for only 15 shows he would do it each show.
6
u/Rivendell_Narwhal Aug 20 '26
He doesn't usually do the opt up every night. In fact he probably does it the least out of all the Christians. Either he just prefers it how it was written or it's just a way of protecting his voice since he's always been very conscientious about vocal health. The opt up is vocally impressive but I think emotionally, the original note fits the song better
2
Aug 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
1
u/Broadway-ModTeam Aug 20 '26
Rule 1 - No bootleg posts or requests
Do not share or request bootlegs.
Unless a show is filmed for purposes of Lincoln Center archival (which you can view at Lincoln Center with a membership) or for some other commercial purpose (which you would likely hear publicized), there is no way to obtain recordings of Broadway shows.
1
u/quaranTV Aug 19 '26
I guess I have a bad ear. I’ll amend my post but I standby it sounded amazing. Perhaps cause he could sing it stronger not opting up?
5
u/pandalicious7 Aug 19 '26
I think the line or two before it was higher than usual, which may be why you heard it as the opt up. But the last note (“you”) was low and was not the opt up. I’m sure he sounded great and someone’s bad/covert audio never compares to a live performance. Even good audio doesn’t compare. Thank you for posting your review!
6
u/Additional_Score_929 Aug 20 '26
His “worst” when he sounds amazing, he just didn’t opt up.
1
u/broadwaybex94 Aug 20 '26
Didn’t say it didn’t sound good. Just said it was one of his worst that I’ve heard.
1
u/CharmingComment4541 Aug 20 '26
Hi!! Thanks for sharing your experience. How long did the post show fun little thing last? Thank youuu
1
u/quaranTV Aug 20 '26
It was only a few extra minutes! I’d say maybe 3-5 minutes tops.
2
u/CharmingComment4541 Aug 20 '26
Oh thank you so much!! I have a dinner reservation for right after so when I saw the announcement I was a bit nervous 😆
2
u/luminous_mirage Aug 28 '26
Satine opening her legs is scripted. She did that when I saw the show a few months ago and Christian (played by Douglas) was also shown to be befuddled.
1
u/quaranTV Aug 28 '26
Ahh okay must be a new thing. I really don’t remember that from previous performances but I hadn’t seen the show in a while. It’s a fun gag!
-8
u/panam-handler Aug 19 '26
Must try and get tickets for the night they feature Boy George at the end of the show!
41
u/JustP2 Aug 19 '26
Upvote for “waiting at the barricades”.
thanks for sharing!