The 'WAP' singers were back together on Friday, May 1, for Megan's milestone final bow
Credit: Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage; Theo Wargo/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Cardi B attended Megan Thee Stallion’s final performance in Moulin Rouge! over the weekend
- Megan made history as the first female-identifying performer to play Harold Zidler in any production of the musical
- Megan thanked fans at her final curtain call and reflected on prioritizing herself after her recent breakup
Cardi B showed up for Megan Thee Stallion as the Houston star took her final bow in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Friday, May 1.
The “WAP” collaborators — who have built a yearslong friendship through chart-topping hits and public support of one another — reunited backstage following the performance, with photos shared by fellow Grammy winner Kandi Burruss.
Though she arrived just before the show's end, Cardi still made it inside to support her friend — and later shared her reaction during an Instagram Live.
“I went to see Meg on Broadway," Cardi said. "I was a little sad because I tried my best to be on time today, but I had so many things to do. But we made it to like, 40 minutes before the show ended and it was so, so, so good."
“I've only been to a Broadway play like, one time, when I was 8 years old. When you go to school in New York, they're always going to make you go to a Broadway play," Cardi added. “So that was so fun. It was so pretty. I was liking the storyline. And Megan did amazing. She did amazing.”
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Cardi went on to explain that she had promised Megan she would see her in the musical.
“I don't know if she's ever going to do it again. I thought she was doing longer and then I'm like, ‘Oh s—.' And I promised her, I told her, I be telling her, ‘When you're in my city, I'm going to come see you watch.' She was like, ‘Oh, oh okay.' … But I told her, I be here! When I be in L.A. or other places, I don't really go out too much because if I'm in another state, it's work-related. If I'm in New York, I'm coming to get you.”
“It was so amazing," Cardi said again. "I hope she does it again.”
Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty
Megan made her Broadway debut as Harold Zidler — the impresario of the famed Parisian nightclub at the center of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film and its stage musical adaptation — on March 24 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City.
Her run had initially been scheduled through May 17, but days after she confirmed her breakup from Dallas Mavericks player Klay Thompson, she announced she would be exiting the show early.
“Hotties, my last performance as Zidler in @moulinrougebway will be May 1 ❤️🩹,” she wrote on Instagram on April 27. “It's been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family and I've met so many amazing people in this theater! Y'all work so hard and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y'all put into the work!”
“I'm so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful,” she continued. “And to all the Hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey! I LOVE YALL🥹 See you soon 💙.”
Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty
Megan's casting in Moulin Rouge! marked a milestone for the production, the three-time Grammy winner and actress becoming the first female-identifying performer to play Zidler in any staging of the show worldwide.
The character was made famous on screen by Jim Broadbent. On stage, it's been played by a slew of stars like Danny Burstein — who won a Tony Award for his role — Tituss Burgess, Boy George, Wayne Brady and most recently, RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen.
“Stepping onto the Broadway stage and joining the Moulin Rouge! The Musical team is an absolute honor,” she said when her run was first announced. “I've always believed in pushing myself creatively and theater is definitely a new opportunity that I'm excited to embrace.”
At her final curtain call, Megan thanked fans directly, according to video of her bows posted on social media. “I appreciate you all so much," she said. "The love I received from the Hotties, I'm so grateful, I'm so appreciative."
She also made a reference to her breakup, which she previously told PEOPLE happened because “trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable” and that she was choosing to “prioritize” herself moving forward.
"Bitch, I don't even have time to be sad," she told fans. "You always make me feel so good.”
Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty
Moulin Rouge! The Musical— like the Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman-led film — follows Christian, an American man in Paris at the turn of the 20th century who falls in love with a performer at the titular cabaret club named Satine.
Directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan, the stage show combines iconic songs from the movie with new chart-topping hits released since its premiere. The score spans over 160 years of music, from Offenbach to Lady Gaga.
Nominated for a whopping 14 2020 Tony Awards and winning 10, including Best Musical, the show has been one of Broadway's biggest hits in years. It will play its final performance on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Patrick Clanton will play the role of Zidler through May 17.
Tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical are now on sale.
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