Chanelle Cotton, Marketing Communications Manager from Broadway Inbound, speaks to the cast of Moulin Rouge: The Musical!, including. Ashley Loren (Satine) and Derek Klena (Christian), as they discuss what it's like to perform in the show-stopping musical. In addition, set designer Derek McLane, talks about his inspiration for the show and how he brought the world of Moulin Rouge to life on stage. With its mesmerizing set and talented cast, the musical tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a struggling writer. The two must overcome the challenges of their different social classes in order to be together. Broadway Inbound offers group tickets to Moulin Rouge, making it easy and affordable for groups of 10 or more to see the show.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Hi everyone. My name is Chanelle Cotton. I'm the marketing communications manager. I am your hostess with the sometimes mostest and like Allison said today, we are talking about fan favorites on Broadway. And so, what does that even mean? Fan favorites are shows that have this, like, incredible staying power, you know, some shows don't get a long run. These are shows that have long runs and dedicated fans. And so, I want to give the fans a little moment to shine right now. As we said before, we are joined by members from Moulin Rouge! The musical. And so, I would love to ask you all, do you have any stories from your fans that you could share with us? You know, over the years, if it's even just a letter that they've sent, if it's a stage door moment. I'll just open up the floor to whoever would love to share.
Thanks so much, and Moulin Rouge! I mean, y'all had a pretty famous fan recently on TikTok, like Lizzo, Come On Now, but as there may be any lesser-known fan stories that you have for us.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
I can go, I mean…
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Okay. Yeah, I'll take you back, Ash.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, yeah, I've been a part of Moulin Rouge! since I joined Broadway in 2019 since it started in Broadway. I started as the alternate for Satine, this is the standby for Satine, then alternate for Satine, and now I'm officially taken over the role. So it's been really beautiful to see the fans that have followed the journey. Up for me, personally, but also just in general, there's so creative… the creativity of these fans is wild, but I also think that's something that's worth talking about is, like, especially coming back to Broadway after the pandemic, you know, bringing art to everyone, to the masses, to people who are, you know, fortunate enough to be able to go see shows is something that is so wonderful. And we're so grateful to be part of these shows, that we're able to bring art back to the people, but I think after the pandemic, it's just meant so much more to a lot of our audience members to be able to go, whether it's for escapism, for the love of the art, just to get out, to take your mind off of something, or to feel the feelings that you have to feel, whatever it is. So I think some of the most interesting things that I've gotten besides, like, art, and fan art, and things are the letters, and there have been more letters now post-pandemic than there were before. I think we're more accessible because of Instagram and things like that, but I think that is something that's been so special, I think probably for all of us, are those letters that you get. And sometimes it's hard to go to work. There're things going on in the world and we're like, “What are we doing? We're putting on costumes and, like, bringing art to people, and how cool is this but also, what are we doing?” And it's just a really great reminder for us, too. It's like a mutually beneficial thing where we get so much from the audience, and the audience gets so much from us, to read these letters and to see the individuals’ experience and how things have changed their lives, things that we don't even sometimes think about, and it puts a lot perspective for us and for them to get those, kind of, personal letters, too. And those are my favorite, the ones where, you know, your vulnerability and your art is allowing others to be vulnerable, and that's how we need to move forward in life and in art, and that's what art has always done, so that is the most special stuff to me, is that kind of thing.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
I love that. Derek, you said you were gonna piggyback.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Oh, yeah. Yeah, ditto everything that Ash just said, I'm newer to the company with the show for about two and a half months now, and it's been amazing. I think the common perception of Moulin Rouge! based off the real Moulin Rouge is that it's an adult show that it's primarily for adults. But I think our show is so much more than that, and the other day… actually, this has happened a few times over the past month, and it, like, tickles us is that we have this front row, and we have that tee that kind of goes out into the orchestra, so we're like right on top of our audience, and this is having multiple times, which is really weird. There have been families that sit right in the front row, and we've had, like, five to eight-year-olds sitting front row center. And our first instinct is like, “Well, these kids are in for a rude awakening, or these kids are in for these… There're kids about to learn a lot about the female frame up close”, but, you know, what by the end of the show, and Eric Anderson, who plays our Zidler, really does, really goes out of his way to, like, include those kids in the front row, and make it, like, a family experience. We're reminded that there is something for everybody in the show and at the end, these kids are related, and they're taking back, and that we're able to bring them that Broadway magic even though, you know, inside of this show, it's an adult venue that our show takes place inside of but there is so much more to that. There's this epic love story that’s settered the experience that's created by our design team upon entering the theater. You're immediately transported, so I think there's so much for the younger generation, as well as the older generation, in our show, and it's been really fun to see kind of that scope that age range, and watch these young kids, where a lot of the things are over their head probably but enjoying it nonetheless, and they're learning, and enjoying along with their families. So that's been the fun surprises is finding these young… these youngsters in the front row.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
I love that. Thanks so much, Derek.
Next up. We are moving on to the spectacular at the Moulin Rouge, so, go ahead and check this video out.
Derek McLane (Set Designer, Moulin Rouge)
John Logan, in his script, describe the club very simply: sex and smoke. I thought it was a great inspiration to start this design. The sort of home base of the set is the club itself, Moulin Rouge. And that's what the audience sees when they come in. And really, the goal there is that the audience feels like they are members of this club, that they're there to watch a show within our own version of the Moulin Rouge.
Alex Timbers (Director, Moulin Rouge)
One of the most, like, inspiring and exciting aspects of working on Moulin Rouge, the stage show has been to look at Baz and Catherine Martin's work on the movie and then sample that through a theatrical lens. So working with the set designer Derek McLane and the costume designer Catherine Zuber, I think, what we have in store for audiences is something that's really mind-blowing and visually delightful.
Derek McLane (Set Designer, Moulin Rouge)
Alex is an amazing director to work with because he really loves design and he likes to put in the time that it takes to kind of work things out. So that's been incredible.
Alex Timbers (Director, Moulin Rouge)
I remember when I went to see the movie in 2001, and the emotions I felt leaving that movie theater. We've aspired to the same things with the theatrical stage show.
Derek McLane (Set Designer, Moulin Rouge)
It's really about figuring out how to not only, you know, have the decadence and luxuriousness that the club wants to have, but also how to get that kind of crazy energy that the film has that we try to translate on stage.
Alex Timbers (Director, Moulin Rouge)
One of the most exciting things and one of the, like, coolest challenges of making the Moulin Rouge for the West End is how you create an experience that when you enter Piccadilly and you cross through those theater doors, you're transported into 1899 Belle Epoque Paris, and thinking about how you create this kind of immersive club experience where everyone feels transported together. That's both one of the biggest challenges, but one of the sort of most exciting opportunities.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
So you can cancan, are you all tired of hearing that joke, or is it still fine to make?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Never, we’ll take it.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Okay, so everybody knows that video was actually about bringing the show from the West End to Broadway, right?
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
It started on Broadway, so I think it was from Broadway
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Going the other way. Got it. All right, cool.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
The show was in the transition-like expansion phase. So there’re so many companies of the show, and it's so exciting that are opening up this year or next year. So I think there's lots of new b-roll, and new interviews, and things like that… In designer interviews that go along with those opening to the production, but it yeah, it started in New York. We're holding down the fort.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Yeah, Broadway is the best, right?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
It is, yeah, it's yeah, it's amazing. It's the dream.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
So this is another show that a lot of people are probably already familiar with because of the movie, and so you might have people who think, “Well, I've seen the movie, so do I really need to see the show?”, and then you also have people like “Well, I've never seen the movie, am I gonna care about seeing the show?” And what would you say to those people who, in my opinion, are incredibly wrong?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Do you want to start out, Ash, or you want me to go?
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Go ahead, Derek.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Okay. Alright, I'll start this time.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
I think that there's so much more in the show that, surprisingly, because, you know, in film and TV, I think there is like endless possibilities as to what you can possibly do with material when it comes to CGI, and it comes with all of, like, the money that's involved, but I've been super impressed with how elaborate this show is, how involved the audience gets, the roller coaster that the audience goes on in this show. And what I think is kind of cool that it's different, and I can speak to this just personally than the movie is that the audience experience is kind of mirrored through the eyes of Christian who kind of, like, kicks off this story for everyone and, kind of, introduces the world, and we kind of initiate the show through Christian's eyes and him taking in the Moulin Rouge, and then chaos ensues, and love ensues, and then, you know, everyone comes into the picture and then we take the audience on this crazy journey. But just watching that back right now, it just made me realize even more that, like, when my first entrance into the space is just literally walking across the stage and taking in the design which is obviously just mind-blowing in the theater. I mean, you're instantly transported, and, so, those goosebumps and those feelings that I get playing to make sure every night walking into the space and taking it in. This is really cool to share that with the audience and kind of go step by step with them as we take them on this roller coaster of a show. So I do think there's so much in the show that isn't in the movie and also, like, a different type of experience. I think there's no substitute for live entertainment. We have upwards of 130 different songs that we've incorporated into the show that are very much updated. I mean, the movie came out in early 2000. So we've Incorporated countless songs that are much more contemporary that people can relate to now, so that's a lot of fun to hear these very familiar tunes some with Justin Levine's amazing arrangements. So It's an embarrassment of riches, and there are some things that we do in the space that aren't the movie and it can't replicate on film and vice versa. So it's really exciting. It's a cool opportunity.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I mean, I'll pay you back off that just everything that Derek said, I just think that there's the most important thing, he said, there's no substitute for live theater. And I think what's so incredible about our show is that it is similar enough to the movie but so incredibly different and just it adds on to the glamor, and the spectacle, and the fun of the movie, when you're able to step off the streets of Times Square and enter into something that even smells like the Moulin Rouge. There's a scent that walks through the lobby. That is a custom scent. There are lights… My cat may make an appearance. Yeah.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Hello, baby! I love you.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
I know, he's the best, that's Mozart. But, you know, they completely redid the theater after Kinky Boots closed, so you walk in and it is completely immersive. There're even special seats that are called “The cancan seats”, where you're sort of inside of the stage, and I think it's just so incredible to be able to step into an environment and be a part of it, and that's something that I think is so special about Moulin Rouge, you are truly a part of it. So you're surrounded by it. You're in it. The people are there with you, there are moments in time we have this really awesome pre-show before the actual curtain comes up. There are members of our cast to sort of out there setting the scene, creating the ambiance for you. So, when you're entering your seats, you know, we have neon lights, there's music playing, it's like you're entering the Moulin Rouge getting ready for a show if you were to actually go to Paris to see a show at the moment. So there're so many fun interactive moments, and I think something so special about our show is that, you know, you know the songs, and even if you don't know the songs, you're still just as enamored and enthralled, and excited by it all. I don’t know what he’s… I think that's so special even if you knew the songs from the movie. There are, of course, some iconic songs from the film in there, but I think that it's also special for us that when we're singing the show we get to see the audience have their own visceral reactions to songs that may have meant something to them that they are, you know, it's down memory lane but through this awesome experience. That's truly unlike anything else on Broadway.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
I will say… Oh sorry, Derek.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Sorry, you're good. I know we're on the time crash. But just what you made me think of something. I mean the reason why we do taking movies and putting them on stage. I mean it would do it to service the source material if we just did exactly what the film did or else why recreating, so I think that's the opportunity with live theater. And that's the opportunity that we're giving it Moulin Rouge, and what John Logan has done so brilliantly, it's like taking this story that already is so filled with wonder, and excitement, and spectacularness, and, kind of, give our Broadway flair to it, and expand on that, and grow, and so it, you know, in a way, it's like Moulin Rouge 2.0, and we're able to show that on stage which is the dream. It's awesome.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Yeah. I would even say as someone who's seen both the movie and the show, if you have ever seen the movie and thought, “Wow, I would love to be there.”, you need to go see the show because it's literally what it's like. If you'd ever wanted to be at the Moulin Rouge and experience it, go see the show. It's, like…
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
And there's no nudity in our show.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
So and there're no nudities.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
It's family. It’s more family-friendly.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
That's more family-friendly than you would think. Yeah, there you bring the kids. So now, Derek, you mentioned the spectacular, the spectacular spectacular, which you invite audiences to take part in. Ashley, I actually can't look at you because Mozart is looking at me
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
I know, he’s so cute.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
He’s stealing the show.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Always.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
No, I wish my cat was here. Okay, focusing, we're back. We're back. Is there a moment in the show that you think for you is just truly a spectacular moment?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
I mean, it would do it a service to say there's only one because there's so many, like, you, so, stopping up…
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
But okay, you can’t say “The whole show.” But, you know…
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
I have two.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Okay, fine, two. It's fine.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Bad Romance for me. At the beginning back to, I think, is a fan favorite and also a favorite of mine. I think just the choreography of that number, the construction of that number, the company, it's one of the most talented amazing companies ever forgotten to work with, and it's exhibited in that song, in that sequence so brilliantly, so that's one of my favorites, and that also I love the opening of the show. It starts off with, like, the quintessential Moulin Rouge theme song Lady Marmalade, and just the way that everyone's kind of brought into the space and introducing all the different worlds, and all different characters of the show. It's beautiful. It is spectacular, and I think it just sets everyone up on the right foot, like, from the go, and it gets everybody really excited to go on this rollercoaster journey. So I would say to be the beginning of the first act and the beginning of the second act, I think really kicks things off in a strong way. It's really cool.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I totally agree. I think the opening… the public has gotten the opportunity to see bits and pieces of the opening on a lot of tv specials and shows, and the Tony Awards, and things like that, so you get a glimpse into it, you know, I mean everything from the costumes to the set, and the lighting design is really highlighted in those moments. We even have, you know, sparks and pyro, you know what I mean? We have it's so special, but I think the craziest part about the show is that it's just so beautiful that anyone who wants to come, I mean, if you are more of a fan of, like, intimate moments, we have that. If you want a full spectacle, we have that. If you want emotion, we have it. If you just want escapism and to party, we also have that, too. So it's truly, I couldn't pick I think Bad Romance is one of the most incredible things that I've seen on a stage ever, and Sonya's choreography is just otherworldly. And I think what's so special about the dancers in our show is that they just are on a whole other level.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
So I'm actually glad you both brought up the opening of act two because it's insane. And so, is it daunting to perform that every night because of the energy that it takes to pull it off, or is it a moment you truly look forward to? I understand you have to say you look forward to it, but that's what I'm okay, “No, we haven’t”.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
No, I find it fun. I think it's super fun. I literally get thrown across the stage. So, I guess, my job's easy. I have four very strong gentlemen who catch me who's just a little harder. Yeah.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
It's also fun to have Derek propelled at you.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Oh, yeah, I go right at Ashley.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
One of the only times in the show for me as the team that I'm actually on stage and get to watch anything, so it's actually so exciting for me because either I'm on stage doing the work, or I'm in a quick change, or I'm running up to the swing and coming down the trapeze, like, it's the one moment where I get to just truly take in the Moulin Rouge myself from a different lens and also just watch my incredible friends, and coworkers, and family put on something so spectacular and so incredible. It's one of my favorite moments in the show. I stand on the side and I’m just watching all of the people that I get to share the stage with every night.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, and this sound design… the sound design of that number is really kind of crazy because in watching it you get to hear it because when we're involved in the scenes, like, we don't necessarily sing in this number, so in that way we kind of get to sit back, and take, and be the elements, and so there's a couple of points where everything, like, either modulates or, like, all of a sudden the volumes, like, “Whoosh”, and you're like, “Whoa!”
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Right, there’s one point in Toxic, right after Toxic, “dun-dun-dun”.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
He like really punches it.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
It's so good. It's just so good. You're right. I forget that we sing most of the show, and this is also one of the moments where we get to sit back and also listen to the incredible award winning, you know, sound design as well. It's wild.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Now, at the heart of Moulin Rouge, it's a love story. So what do you think it is? Feels so right right now that, like, people want a love story. That people, like, need to come and see a love story, it feels to me that it's something audiences could really use right now, and I realize I'm projecting the answer on, so pretend I didn't say any of that and give your own answer.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Not at all. I don't think you're projecting at all. I think it was something that I hinted to earlier with, like, the vulnerability, and the fan stuff, and I think… Again, art returning after the insane couple of years that we've had. I think it reminded us of what's really important in life. And I think a lot of that is love, love of self, love of others, love’s just in spite what's going on, love in spite of differences, you know, things like that, and I think Moulin Rouge is epic in the way that Romeo and Juliet, is epic is in the way that all of these love stories are so special, and I think, I don't know, I think especially for me, coming back and to do what I love, knowing and learning what we've learned and how we've grown post-pandemic… I think it's just one of those shows where, yeah, you can go and experience the spectacular and not think a second about the importance of love, you could, but at the heart of this story is love, and choosing love, and the difficulties of it sometimes, and like, you know, self-love is also a thing. I don't know, Derek. What do you think?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I was just thinking it's, like, I think the more that we can project love and such, like, a polarizing social-political worldly climate that we've had over the past three years, the more that we can put love out in the world the better, and I think the fact that these two characters specifically bond and create this love through art is kind of beautiful that they come from two different walks of life. We have a bunch of different principal characters, and characters out the show that are from all these different walks of life, and they all come together to make something beautiful, and that ultimately binds them and bonds them together. And so, you know one of those moments, where it's, like, this art imitates life or just life imitates our… it's kind of, like, this beautiful symphony of love all around love, for art love, for each other embracing one another, letting differences kind of go to the side for a common good, and to share in that love for art which is so to celebrate that on stage, and it being so engulfed in our, like, personal lives is pretty special, and it's why I think my experience in the show has been so amazing. You know, it's one of the things I love most about theater is sharing the time on stage, and getting to do what you love with the group of people that you spend the most time with, so going to work playing makes believe sharing in that love with this group of people, and that reciprocated through our, like, amazing responsive audiences. It's the dream, like you said before, it's, like, there's no place like Broadway that will always be like a magical oasis of theater, and that intimacy is what also, like, elevates that connection, and that love, that I think, like you said, we need right now. So it's a great privilege and responsibility, but super cool that we get to do that.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Can we talk about the costumes for a minute because they are, I would like to use the word other than spectacular, but they are incredible. I will say the costumes are incredible and they are a feast for the eyes. So can we talk, like, what is it like getting to where that?
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Oh!
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Actually, Ashley's the bedazzled one.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
I mean, it is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I mean, it's just Cathy Zuber’s designs are… You're right. It's a feast for the eyes. I mean, the amount of crystal, the amount of time that it takes to just do one of my sparkling diamonds corsets, is an unreasonable amount of hours. I don't know exactly, I should know this but it's probably weeks and weeks of time just to make one costume, and the amount of sparkles, and it's just stunning. It's the most beautiful show I've ever seen or had the privilege to be in, and I think the costumes, I mean, but every bit of the costumes, even Derek's costumes are fantastic, and the good there's in the moment in the crazy rolling when the some of those epic costumes are only appeared for, like, two minutes.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
You know, finale costume, we have these epic costumes that we just balanced.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Correct. You're right. My bad dress is fantastic. Yeah, yeah.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Oh, yeah, we forgot to mention. We have a megamix at the end of the show, so just when the audience thinks he's done.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
We have like a third act with new costumes that are even, like, that much cooler.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
You're right. You're right. Yeah.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah. No, I mean, Cathy Zuber's design is insane. You know, I think, yeah, her and Derek McLane, like, creating the space. And yeah, I mean, didn't your first diamond dress actually had like Swarovski crystals in it?
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Like yeah, they did. I mean, they switch wild since but originally it was Swarovski, and there're thousands of Swarovski crystals around the show.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
If you could take a costume home, and it doesn't have to be one of yours, it could be anyone's costume, which one would it be?
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Oh, man. I want my leather coat I think. I want the leather jacket just because, like, where are you gonna find a leather jacket, a floor-length leather trench with all these details? I mean, it's pretty cool. Not that I would ever wear it out and about but I think it's like one of the cooler pieces that I get to wear, and the detail in it that, like, no one gets to see is kind of amazing like the cuffs on the wrists, and the length, and the way that it's kind of, like, sprawled out. It's pretty cool.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
And I get to swing it around the stage toward the end of the show.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
It's pretty heavy, you know.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, it’s like 15-20 pounds. I use it in the gym just to get some extra workout.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I mean I would have a very difficult time choosing any of the costumes that I wear there, but I think it would be what I take it home because I would wear it or would I take it home just to look at it, but the also some of the ensemble costumes for the show within a show are some of the most beautiful things, like, they're hand-painted. There's one that has, like, a snake going all around it, with these wigs that are really only featured at the end of the show, but it's absolutely stunning. I think, if I were to take one of my costumes home, it would be a hard pick between the diamond corset and also my painted look at the end of the show, just because of the way… it's just so…
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, your outfit in the show within the show is beautiful. I saw it, like, I saw all the colors of it just like a couple of weeks ago, when you, like, a certain light hit you and just to see... it's like an ombre, like blue to red…
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I’m like Royal Hughes!
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah. No, it's yeah, it's beautiful.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
It's one of the most simple costumes for me specifically, but it's one of my favorites.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
So and speaking of fan favorites, Derek. I don't know how we ended up in possession of this but somehow in our office we have a fans drawing of you from another show, not this one.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Which one? I want to know.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Anastasia.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Okay, but what is it? What kind of art is it? Is it just a drawing?
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
It's just a portrait of you. And somehow it ends up in our possession, but you know what? I'm attracted down for you. I'm gonna find out where it is now.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
I would love it. I would love.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
I wish I had it right here. I just thought about it, but I will track down its location, and I will go back to, I will get that back to you. Last question, other than, you know, performing at Moulin Rouge favorite thing to do in New York City.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Oh, eat.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Any particular spot?
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
Anywhere and everywhere, I think that's some so much of the beauty of New York is… obviously there're these iconic places that you can research and google, and, you know, find and go to, because everyone goes there but I think some of my favorite things to do, other than walking in the park, Riverside Park is one of my favorites, just going downtown, and meandering through the streets, and not knowing what a restaurant is, and just popping in because it's all so good.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, I like to go to the park, like, the park is my happy place. For me, Riverside and Central Park. Riverside is, like, along the water on the West Side. It's really really beautiful. But yeah, I do know, it's like New York is this melting pot of cultures and food, and so the more you can hop around different burrows and try all the food the better… around the Theater District, we're spoiled with a lot of amazing food as well. You got hit up Schmackary's famous cookies, but they really are as good as the hype, like, they're so good and we get spoiled because people send us macarons all the time. Please, keep sending them because they're really good. Actually don't send them because we’ll gain too much weight. But they're really good. Yeah, there's this place. Oh, I'm gonna plug Ippudo right now. There's this place, and that's like Ippudo ramen. Yeah, place. I've been really fond of it lately. Yeah. It's like on 51st. I believe between the 8th and 9th.
Ashley Loren (Satine, Moulin Rouge)
We love ramen.
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
Yeah, fans sponsor us Ippudo. We love Ippudo.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Both of y'all eating ramen in this heat right now, but I see you and I respect it', so, you know..
Derek Kiena (Christian, Moulin Rouge)
It's a between-the-show comfort thing. You know, you're looking for, like, yeah, it’s truly good.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Well, Derek, and Ashley, and little Mozart, thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you once again, If all y'all watching haven't figured it out right now www.broadwayinbound.com. Sketch ticket, see Moulin Rouge the musical.