The actor, who originated the role of Christian and won a Tony Award for the role, will reprise the fan-favorite part for 15 performances
Credit: Bruce Glikas/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Tveit will reprise his Tony-winning role as Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical for 15 performances in August
- This marks Tveit’s third return to the show since originating the role in 2019 and his final Broadway bow as Christian
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical has won 10 Tony Awards and been seen by over 12 million people worldwide since its debut
Aaron Tveit is heading back to the Moulin Rouge one last time.
The Tony winner, who originated the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway, will return for a limited engagement of just 15 performances from Aug. 18 through Aug. 29 at New York City’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Producers announced Tveit’s return on Thursday, July 23. Its his third time returning to the musical since helping launch the stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film in 2019. After departing the production in May 2022, Tveit came back for two limited three-month runs: one that began in January 2023 and another that kicked off in July 2024.
This engagement, of course, will mark the actor’s final bow as the idealistic songwriter played by Ewan McGregor in the movie. Opposite him, Kelsie Watts stars as Satine, the dazzling cabaret performer and courtesan immortalized on screen by Nicole Kidman, whose sweeping yet doomed romance with Christian lies at the heart of the piece.
After Tveit departs, Christian Douglas — Moulin Rouge!’s current Christian — will return to the role for the show’s final Broadway performance on Aug. 30.
Tveit, 42, earned the 2021 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Christian, making history as the sole nominee in the category that year. He also received an Outer Critics Circle Award for originating the role.
Long before his Tony-winning turn in Moulin Rouge!, Tveit had established himself as one of Broadway’s marquee leading men through starring roles in Next to Normal, Catch Me If You Can, Wicked and Hairspray. He originated the role of Gabe in Next to Normal and earned a Tony nomination for Catch Me If You Can before finally taking home Broadway’s top acting prize for playing Christian.
Since departing Moulin Rouge!, the actor has continued to build an acclaimed stage and screen career. Most recently, he starred opposite Sutton Foster as Sweeney Todd in the 2023 revival of the beloved Stephen Sondheim musical, and teamed with Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher to help bring Chess back to Broadway. His television credits include Earth Abides, Apple TV+’s Schmigadoon!, American Horror Stories, Graceland, BrainDead and Grease: Live, while film audiences know him from Les Misérables, in which he played Enjolras.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical won 10 Tony Awards in total, including Best Musical, following its Broadway debut. Directed by Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan, the production features a score that incorporates over 70 pop hits from the 1940s to the 2010s, as well as “Come What May,” the ballad from the film.
Since its incarnation, the musical has since been seen by more than 12 million people across 15 productions worldwide.
“It’s truly been the honor of a lifetime bringing this exceptional show to Broadway,” said producer Carmen Pavlovic in a statement in February, when the Broadway closing was announced. “We couldn’t have done it without Baz Luhrmann and [designer] Catherine Martin’s trust in allowing us to adapt their iconic film for the stage and for their creative guidance and generosity throughout. Alex Timbers’ vision and leadership, along with the passion and artistry of our entire creative team, has been unmatched.
“We’ve always said that Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a celebration of Broadway and of the artists who, against all odds, make it possible. We look forward to six more months of celebrating the remarkable people who created this show and those who perform eight times a week. And before we take our final bow, we have more exciting announcements that we can’t wait to reveal. See you at the Moulin Rouge, Chickens!”
Tickets for Tveit’s limited engagement, as well as the musical’s final Broadway performance on Aug. 30, are on sale now.
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