Character guide
Toulouse-Lautrec
from Moulin Rouge!
Toulouse Lautrec is the passionate bohemian painter who helps bring Christian into the world of the Moulin Rouge in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the 2019 jukebox musical based on the 2001 film.
- Show
- Moulin Rouge!
- Broadway premiere
- 2019
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Justin Levine
Toulouse-Lautrec: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film
The musical gives Toulouse-Lautrec a secret: he fell in love with Satine years earlier, when she was living on the streets, but was too shy ever to tell her. He confesses this to Christian before urging him to fight for her with Nature Boy and its line about learning to love and be loved in return.
In Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film, John Leguizamo's Toulouse-Lautrec is the one who shouts that line from the rafters on opening night to spur Satine to sing. On stage he is paired with a new bohemian friend, Santiago, who is not in the film, and he stands with Satine against the Duke before the final show. Sahr Ngaujah originated the role on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination.
Who is Toulouse Lautrec?
Loosely inspired by the real life painter Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, this character is one of the bohemian artists who befriends Christian and draws him into the world of the Moulin Rouge and its ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. Idealistic and fiercely devoted to art, he champions Christian's talent and helps engineer his introduction to Satine.
As the story unfolds, Toulouse becomes one of Christian's closest allies, standing by him through the highs of new love and the devastation that eventually follows.
Toulouse's role in Moulin Rouge!
Toulouse Lautrec is a supporting role built around vivid comic and dramatic character work, giving the actor standout moments within the show's ensemble of bohemian artists and requiring strong singing within the show's group numbers.
Sahr Ngaujah originated the role in the Broadway company, bringing warmth and conviction to the character's belief in art and love that helps set the show's bohemian ideals in motion from its earliest scenes.
Toulouse-Lautrec: frequently asked questions
What show is Toulouse Lautrec from?
Toulouse Lautrec is a supporting character in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, which opened in 2019.
Is Toulouse Lautrec a lead or supporting role?
Toulouse Lautrec is a supporting role.
Who wrote the music for Moulin Rouge!?
Moulin Rouge! is a jukebox musical, with its existing pop and rock songs arranged and adapted by Justin Levine.
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