Sonya Tayeh to choreograph ‘Moulin Rouge’

Moulin Rouge musical choreographerDid you love Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 award-winning Moulin Rouge! film? Then get excited because a new musical adaptation of it is aimed at Broadway! Directed by Alex Timbers, the new production has now assembled a creative team abounding with celebrated artists and designers.

 

Perhaps most excitedly, renowned New York City-based choreographer Sonya Tayeh is set to choreograph the show. Regarded as a force in the dance world, she is known for being a diverse chameleon – finding success in multiple sectors of dance. In concert dance, she’s choreographed original works for companies like Martha Graham Dance Company, Malpaso Dance Company and Los Angeles Ballet. Commercially, she’s directed and choreographed for major singers and bands like Miley Cyrus, Kyle Minogue and Florence and the Machine. She’s constantly teaching and involved with various academic institutions. (For example, she’ll soon be creating a new piece for New York University’s Tisch Dance in 2018.) She’s well known for her So You Think You Can Dance involvement, earning two Emmy nominations for her pieces.

 

More and more, Tayeh has also been in demand for musical theatre productions. She’s a recipient of a Lucille Lortel Award and a Obie for her work on David Henry Hwang’s dance play Kung Fu.

 

This is not Tayeh’s first time working with Director Alex Timbers. They previously collaborated on The Last Goodbye at San Diego’s Old Globe.

 

Also on board for Moulin Rouge! The Musical are: Tony winners Derek McLane (set deign) and Catherine Zuber (costume design); Tony nominees Justin Townsend (lighting design) and Peter Hylenski (sound design); and Drama Desk-winning David Brian Brown (wig design.)

 

Producer Carmen Pavlovic of Global Creatures said in a statement, “These artists are at the forefront of the very best creative works being made today. The thrilling challenge we’ve laid down to this accomplished team is to make something that feels as unique and unexpected today as what audiences first experienced when the film burst its way into our hearts… I have no doubt that they will surpass that goal.”

 

Inspired by a book by Tony winner John Logan, Moulin Rouge! The Musical reportedly has a lab presentation scheduled for October 30–December 15. An official announcement of the musical’s premier engagement has yet to be announced.

 

The story of Moulin Rouge! follows the tragic relationship of singer/courtesan Satine and poet Christian in the early 20th century in a lavish Paris nightclub.

 

To learn more about choreographer Sonya Tayeh, visit www.sonyatayeh.com.