Moulin Rouge will return to Melbourne in August 2023

After a sell-out season, Moulin Rouge the musical is set to make a triumphant return to Melbourne. This is when it will reopen.

After a spectacular Melbourne season, Moulin Rouge will return to the Regent Theatre in 2023. Picture: Michelle Grace Hunder

Blockbuster musical Moulin Rouge is returning to Melbourne in August 2023.

The Broadway spectacle, based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, wraps at the Regent Theatre on Friday following a sold-out premiere season and stellar reviews.

“Melbourne audiences have embraced Moulin Rouge so warmly, it’s been a joy to witness its profound impact on the city,” Carmen Pavlovic, Global Creatures chief executive, and the show’s producer, said.

“We couldn’t ignore the scores of people that didn’t get a chance to experience the show in Melbourne.

Lead cast members Andrew Cook, Tim Omaji, Des Flanagan, Alinta Chidzey, Simon Burke and Samantha Dodemaide will return to Melbourne next year. Picture: Alex Coppel

“An opportunity arose, and we decided to seize the moment to return to Melbourne and give the audiences what they’ve been asking for.”

The 10-time Tony Award winning show will open in Sydney in late May.

Ms Pavolvic added: “The Regent Theatre is absolutely resplendent when dressed in rouge, and we can’t wait to bring this sparkling diamond of a show back to delight the bohemians of Melbourne in 2023.”

Victoria’s Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said Moulin Rouge’s return to the Regent Theatre “proves” Melbourne is “Australia’s musical theatre capital.”

He added: “Major productions like Moulin Rouge attract thousands of visitors to Melbourne and provide a big boost to our economy.”

Moulin Rouge emerged as a runaway hit and sold out every performance, despite having to postpone three opening night events, and losing more than 15 weeks of the season due to pandemic restrictions in Victoria.

Simon Burke, who plays Harold Zidler in the lavish show, said: “Moulin Rouge is the biggest musical in the world”.

He said the show had proven itself to be the “perfect antidote” after two years of lockdowns.

Indeed, Burke said the Aussie-made musical was everything Melbourne needed: “Pure joy, escapism, and filled with love and laughter”.

Moulin Rouge’s decision to return to Melbourne follows a bumper year of musical theatre to come.

Trailblazing show Hamilton opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre last month, and Girl From The North Country, starring Lisa McCune and anchored by the songs of Bob Dylan, opens at the Comedy Theatre on Aprl 29.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — Reimagined, a condensed version of the magical masterpiece, will cast its spell at the Princess Theatre from May 4.

Dolly Parton’s musical 9 To 5 clocks into town in July

Tickets for Moulin Rouge’s 2023 encore go on sale on Friday at Ticketek.