Media based off of the famous Parisian nightclub, the Moulin Rouge, began in 2001 when eccentric director Baz Luhrmann filmed an extravagant musical featuring actors Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor about a tragic romance that happens among a penniless writer ,Christian, and an ill courtesan ,Satine, who performs in the Moulin Rouge. The musical’s main premise is that the club is losing money and Satine must convince the Duke to invest in the club, but she mistakes a poor writer for the Duke. The film explores themes of love, loss, hope, and social class issues. Luhrmann’s style for the musical included romanticized Parisian cabaret, bold colors, and extravagant burlesque outfits. The film features mashups of pop hits from different decades, as it also contains one original song Come What May. The musical won two oscars for art direction-set decoration and best costume design, and it was so popular it became a running show on Broadway.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical hit Broadway stages in July of 2019, winning ten Tony Awards ,including best musical, the same year it began. The Broadway show includes more updated music, such as songs Chandler, Bad Romance, Material Girl, and Firework. The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is designed to look like the interior of the Moulin Rouge, featuring red lighting and balconies that have iconic symbols of the club, such as the windmill and Satines dressing room, the Elephant.
Meg Donnelly is famous for her work in Disney’s Zombies, and she recently made her Broadway debut in November 2025 as Satine. Her role as “The Sparking Diamond” ,Satine’s stage name, signifies a major milestone for her at only 25 years old, fulfilling many people’s lifelong dreams. “I grew up watching Zombies as a kid and she was such an inspiration to me, so seeing her as Satine made me very happy and she did amazing” says Julianne Cooper (10)
Donnelly’s portrayal of Satine showcases her vocal talent and her acting talent and critics praise her performance and dedication to this glamorous role. Donnelly has always been an icon for many young girls, and she continues to inspire more everyday and proves to her fans that you can always achieve your dreams.
