Star Struck
Ahh so i have a confession to make. I’m addicted to theatre. Not all theatre but the pricey stuff. Front rows of Broadway musicals. That’s my crack. I usually go alone and in secret 2, 3, 7 times to see a thing. I don’t always get to feed this habit cuz I’ve been poor but I’ll forgo things to make it happen. It’s with this confession that I share my 2nd visit to Moulin Rouge. A rare front row ticket was floating about and I snagged it. I really went only to see Austin Durant (Harold Zidler). There were other things I came to see, like the insane dance numbers, the ridiculous sets, the drop dead gorgeous Conor (Christian) or the just my type David Harris (The Duke of Monroth, I love a good looking scoundrel) but it’s Austin that has me losing my shit. He’s the theatre owner, showman, and over the top character played so well… I had to come back just to watch him work. His character Harold, seems to be mid-50’s, losing his theatre and desperate to save it, a bit callously using the people closest to him. He’s a bigger guy and so light on his feet. The joy I get watching him dance, it’s scandalous. I noticed and appreciated all the touches he put into this character, the movement of his hand, the swish of his hip, the side eye. He has this deep baritone and when he sings Chandelier, well, I left my body in a fit of ecstasy. I got to watch the band play down below in the orchestra pit and it’s outrageously good.. like.. the best damn band in bandland.
The whole show with the amazing voices, variety of songs, the dancing, the band… I really can’t get enough and have to stop myself from going just one more time. I tell you all this because after the show ended I did it, I went to the stage door to see if I could get a glimpse of Austin and make a complete fool of myself. Out came the dancers.. the amazing gorgeous and totally normal looking human dancers just walking about their business. Handsome David Harris came out and I fawned like chick in the 60’s meeting the Beatles. Dammit, Ty, keep it together. Conor came out and holy crap, he’s as handsome and personable as he is on stage. His mom’s best friend was there with some of her friends and I got to eves-drop on the conversation surrounding Conor as a kid and growing up. Time was ticking and I was just about to give up when Austin came out. The rest is a bit of a blur, there was a lot of … holy shits… and you’re amazings.. and when I let him talk..(hahahaha.. omg I’m such an idiot) he is this COMPLETELY DIFFERENT HUMAN than the guy onstage. He’s a kid even. An aw shucks kind of kid. Gracious and hip and young and how the hell is he coxing this character out of this youthful human before me. I told him as much.. that it was totally discombobulating to talk to him and try to convince my brain the guy on stage and the guy before me are the same people. I thanked him and told him I’ll shut up now so he can go and he was so thankful and kind.. I’m still smiling. Walking away felt like floating I was so fucking high. Is it me.. do other people get this way? I went over to Whole Foods on 8th st to grab a quick thing and as I was on the insanely long escalator ride back up to Market st. coming down the escalator on the other side was Conor and Courtney (Christian and Satine) looking like two normal people… I stupidly shouted out… “omg you guys look like totally normal people having totally normal lives!” and then thanked them again for the amazing show. Yeah, you really can’t take me anywhere. This is why I go alone. You’re welcome.
