By: Ashmar Mandou

Tony Award®-Winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical is currently in Chicago for a limited engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., and thrilled to excite audience members with all the glitz, glamor, and electrifying music. Moulin Rouge! The Musical!, directed by Baz Luhrmann’s comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and love. Moulin Rouge! The Musical actor Danny Burgos, who plays Santiago, talks about what audience members can expect from the thrilling show.

Lawndale News: Welcome to Chicago! The much-anticipated Moulin Rouge: The Musical is finally here.  What are you most excited to showcase in front of the Chicago audiences? 

Danny Burgos: This is my fourth time in Chicago and the audiences here never disappoint. I’m most excited to share the electric energy and heart of Moulin Rouge: The Musical with this incredible city. The show is a dazzling spectacle, but at its core, it’s a story about love, passion, and resilience—and I think that hits very deeply because we all have a story that relates to those core values. There’s also something beautifully unique and powerful about gathering in a theater again, feeling the music, the movement, the emotion—live and in real time. There’s nothing like the shared experience of live theatre and getting to bring that to Chicago audiences feels like a true celebration.

LN: Talk to me about the process of acquiring a role in Moulin Rouge: The Musical.  What was the audition process like and how did you react upon hearing the news you got the part of Santiago? 

DB: My journey with Moulin Rouge! has been a long and winding one. I first auditioned back in 2018, when they were casting the out-of-town tryout in Boston. At the time, I was a bit too young and not quite ready for the role. I was brought in to dance when they were looking for swings and although I made it pretty far in the process I was not kept to sing for the creative team. Later, I was brought in to audition for the position of Duke and Christian understudy, but it wasn’t the right fit; I remember the casting director looking at me and saying, “Great job, Danny. Have we ever brought you in for Santiago?” We all had a good laugh at that. When Ricky Rojas—the original Santiago—was set to leave the show, I auditioned to replace him, but it didn’t go my way, and I had another shot for the Broadway production once Ricky’s replacement left, but once more, the timing wasn’t right. Finally, in 2023, they called me in to audition to replace the Santiago on tour. During COVID I had gone back to school to become a registered nurse and was working at a hospital in Manhattan. I asked my nurse manager for time off, and he was more than willing to be flexible seeing as he knew this was a dream come true for me. My agents called me a month after my initial audition to tell me that I had gotten the official offer. All in all it was five years from my first audition to finally becoming a part of Moulin Rouge!

LN: What can you tell me about Moulin Rouge: The Musical?  Is there a particular song or moment in the show that you enjoy performing the most?

DB: Roxanne” is, without a doubt, my favorite number in the entire show. The first time I saw it performed on Broadway; it absolutely took my breath away. The choreography is not only electrifying, but the number also brilliantly pays homage to its iconic film version—gripping and unforgettable from the very first beat. I remember the moment the lights came up on Santiago at the top of the number, I thought to myself, “I’ve got to play that part.”

LN: For young members of the Hispanic/Latino community in Chicago who aspire to be on in Broadway, what advice can you share with them?

DB: My biggest piece of advice has little to do with talent or even professionalism—because honestly, talent is everywhere. What truly sets people apart in this industry is who they are offstage. For me, your character, how you treat others, and the energy you bring into a room matter far more than your vocal range or dance technique.

For tickets to MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL are on sale. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be in Chicago through April 20th. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Photo Credit: Broadway in Chicago