Pictured (L to R): Jahi Kearse, Arianna Rosario, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Robert Petkoff, Danny Burgos, Andrew Brewer. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.

The Tony-Award winning production Moulin Rouge! The Musical has touched down in Sarasota. The jukebox musical, based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge! brings audiences into the Belle Époque or “Beautiful Era” of France at the turn of the 20th century.

Moulin Rouge! follows a young composer named Christian, who falls in love with the actress Satine, star of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Together with fellow bohemians Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago the Argentinian, the trio strike out to the Moulin Rouge looking to get their work on stage. The cabaret, however, is in dire financial straits forcing management to pursue an investment from the underhanded Duke of Monroth. Paths collide when the Duke expresses romantic interest in Satine, despite the burgeoning relationship between her and Christian.

The supporting character of Toulouse-Lautrec lends a legitimacy to the setting and tone of the production. Toulouse-Lautrec, portrayed by Jahi Kearse, is based on the real life Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a multi-faceted French artist whose work depicted the full scope of the bohemian lifestyle in 19th century Paris.

“Toulouse-Lautrec is this crazy, kooky guy. He’s interested in people living their best lives and finding good mischief,” says Kearse. “The process of inhabiting him starts with understanding the world that has been created by the history of the musical, the pop songs that are in the show and the love story that is in the middle of this bohemian, circus situation. I’m also trying to find the ways that the real Toulouse lived his life, because the show has shades of reality and fantasy going at the same time.”

Just as Toulouse-Lautrec, who hailed from an aristocratic family yet fell in love with the underground bohemian lifestyle, lived a sort of dual-life, so too does Moulin Rouge! occupy two different spaces. A jukebox musical, the majority of songs featured in the show are well-known preexisting songs. As such, the production strikes a balance between older 20th century jazz pieces and showtunes with newer popular music from artists like Lady Gaga and Lorde.

“One of my favorite moments is when I get to sing “Royals” by Lorde with Christian and Santiago,” says Kearse. “We’re meeting Christian for the very first time and we start to see what a shining light he is.”

March 18 to 23, The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,  941-263-6799.

Pictured (L to R): Jahi Kearse, Arianna Rosario, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Robert Petkoff, Danny Burgos, Andrew Brewer. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.

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