Sashaying in satin
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.”
One of author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s most famous quotes was rediscovered by millions in “Moulin Rouge!,” the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film that developed a cult following.
Now more fans will discover it, when Laguna Beach High School’s dance students present their own version of the lushly romantic musical next weekend for their spring dance concert.
Several choreographers developed dances to the film’s music, which ranges from “The Sound of Music” to “Roxanne;” Offenbach to Nirvana.
The stars of the show are Samantha Moore, Victoria Maurino, Noah Plomgren and Nick Shopoff.
Samantha plays Satine, an iconic Moulin Rouge courtesan who, at the turn of the 20th century, meets penniless English writer Christian, played by Noah and Nick on alternate nights.
The duo also plays the Duke, who invests in the Moulin Rouge nightclub in order to claim Satine as his own.
Victoria plays Nini, another courtesan who has relationship drama of her own, courtesy of two tango dancers.
The students auditioned Jan. 29 and have spent the past few months learning the show.
The two love triangles are played out in a frenetic piece choreographed by Kate Ridge. Other pieces in the show include ballet and interpretive styles — and a sultry affair performed with folding chairs.
The denizens of the Moulin Rouge wear corsets and ruffled hot pants, when they’re not wearing their crinolined can-can skirts; the costumes are a modern interpretation of Paris in 1900.
The sets alternate between realistic and fanciful, ranging from a cold rehearsal studio to a lushly romantic setting for Christian and Satine’s trysts — the false proscenium is composed of heart-shaped cutouts.
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