Martin Dreyfuss
•4/7/2026
"Moulin Rouge: The Musical," based on Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary film, opens Tuesday night at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers for a limited engagement this week.
Set in Paris in 1899, the musical transports audiences to a world of indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, featuring bohemians, aristocrats, boulevardiers, and reprobates.
The story follows Christian, a lovesick American writer, and Satine, the dazzling star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
Their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge, leading to a passionate love affair that faces obstacles from the nightclub’s host and impresario, Harold Zidler, and the Duke of Monroth, a wealthy patron who believes he can buy anything.
Ben Brantley of The New York Times described the musical as "Euphoric. Gasp-inducing. Forbidden pleasures abound in this SPECTACULAR musical. In ‘Moulin Rouge,’ life is beautiful."
Shows are running Apr. 7 - Apr. 12 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Tickets are limited and start at $59. You can get all the showtimes and other information on its website.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.