“A story about a time. A story about a place. A story about the people. But above all things, a story about love. A love that will live forever.”
After what was a year we will never forget, it is thrilling to know that theatre doors are opening once more, and the Australian production of Moulin Rouge is just around the corner.
The Musical will not only be the first international production of the musical, but due to the ongoing Broadway shutdown, Melbourne will be the only place in the world the show can be seen when performances begin in August.
Alinta Chidzey (Chicago, West Side Story) will star as the sparkling diamond, Satine, opposite newcomer Des Flanagan as bohemian dreamer Christian.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Alinta about this iconic role, the upcoming production, and her greatest role yet, motherhood.
Well, it’s congratulations all around! What a year! Firstly, congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl! How is motherhood and beautiful Harley Rose?
Thank you! Motherhood is an absolute blessing. Nothing can prepare you for it, it’s so challenging and rewarding at the same time but completely worth every moment, it’s teaching me a deeper sense of love and life.
Harley Rose has amazingly fit in with our lives already and is part of a loving theatrical family of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
And of course, massive congratulations on landing the role of Satine, in the Australian cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. You must be thrilled! And I understand Harley was already a good luck charm with you being 37 weeks pregnant when you auditioned?
Yes, it’s pretty amazing to land such an iconic role, and play Satine in the first Australian production is very special. Auditioning when I was 37 weeks pregnant was definitely a challenge physically and vocally, but at the same time, there is nothing more grounding than life growing inside you.
This is such an iconic musical – what was it about this story and the role that got you made you want to be part of it?
Moulin Rouge was a film I grew up watching as an aspiring performer completely mesmerised by its bold, exciting nature. Being a musical theatre lover I hoped for it to be turned into a musical… and here we are 20 years later living the dream in a live musical in my hometown. Satine is a chameleon of sorts, it will be exciting to delve into her layered persona; strong, witty, sassy and at the heart of it wanting to love and be loved.
What can you tell us about the rest of the cast and what we can expect from this production?
The cast is all extraordinarily talented! And all cast because they were right for the show.
I’m excited for audiences to witness some new talent on our stage as well as some familiar ones. A great reflection of our multicultural Australian landscape too!
And of course, I have to ask, which musical number is your favourite?
Well, the opening number of ‘Lady Marmalade’ is electric, you can’t help but get excited! But out of the songs that I perform it would have to be ‘Come What May’.
If you could describe the production in three words, what would they be?
Extravagant, Unforgettable, Spectacular!
Tickets are now available for performances up to 26 December 2021 exclusively through Ticketmaster.
Image courtesy of Charlie Kinross
