Former child star Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque will make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge: The Musical this spring.
On Thursday, the singer/actress revealed that she will take on the lead role of Satine from Broadway veteran Ashley Loren for a limited number of performances beginning April 11.
It is a stage adaptation of director Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, which was also a jukebox musical.
JoJo, whose self-titled debut studio album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 when she was just 14 years old, called the opportunity a “dream come true” in a post shared on Instagram.
‘TRUE. Beauty. Freedom. Love,’ JoJo wrote as a direct reference to the musical’s tagline. “So I can’t believe I can finally say this…I’m making my Broadway debut in MOULIN ROUGE!”
The hitmaker recalled the first time she watched the show, which took home 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2020, and how she instantly fell in love with it.
Dream Role: Former child star Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque will make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge: The Musical this spring; seen in 2019
On Thursday, the singer-actress revealed that she will take on the lead role of Satine from Broadway veteran Ashley Loren for a limited number of performances beginning April 11.
‘When I saw this musical for the first time, I fell head over heels in love instantly. I watched from the edge of my seat, hanging on every word of every song,” she gushed.
“This show is a feast for the senses and the chance to play Satine feels like the culmination of so many dreams.
‘I can’t believe I’m joining this phenomenal cast and company! You guys blow me away! JoJo continued.
He then gave a special shout out to Loren, who will take her last bow on April 9.
“Special love and respect to @ashleyloren who currently SLAYS as Satine – the most amazing badass artist/singer/actress I’m lucky enough to call a friend and experience her sisterhood and generosity of spirit.”
Loren returned the love in a post shared on her own Instagram page, which included a photo of the two ladies.
Loren, who has been part of the show’s cast since its 2019 Broadway debut, wrote: ‘Her heart, her spirit, that voice! I just can’t wait for the world to see this woman shine on Broadway!’
JoJo also thanked the ‘incredible producers and directing staff for believing in me like you do’ and how ‘acting on Broadway and living in New York’ is an absolute ‘dream come true’ for her.
“I know this show means a lot to so many and I promise to put everything I have into each night as Satine,” JoJo wrote, concluding the post by referencing an iconic quote from the musical: “Best thing you’ll ever do.” never learning is just loving and being loved in return…’
JoJo’s run at Moulin Rouge will be a limited 14-week engagement that runs from April 14 through July 16.
Tickets for the shows at the Al Hirschfeld Theater are available via the mobile-focused ticketing platform. SeatGek.
Moulin Rouge began its Broadway run at the Al Hirschfeld Theater with previews on June 28, 2019, leading to its official opening on July 25 of that same year.
Tony Award winners Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo originated the lead roles of Christian and Satine, but Olivo left the production before Broadway reopened in September 2021 following a COVID-19 shutdown.
Natalie Mendoza replaced Olivo but exited the show in May 2022 and stand-in Ashley Loren has kept the role of Satine since her departure.
It went on to receive a total of 14 Tony nominations, winning 10 awards (the most of the night), including Best Musical, at the 74th Tony Awards in September 2021.
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, located at 302 West 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District, was originally called the Martin Beck Theater when it made its debut in 1924.
The theater was renamed Broadway illustrator Al Hirschfeld in 2003.
Screen to Stage: It is a stage adaptation of director Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, who was also a musical jukebox; Nicole and Ewan in the photo
‘TRUE. Beauty. Freedom. Love,’ JoJo wrote as a direct reference to the musical’s tagline. “So I can’t believe I can finally say this…I’m making my Broadway debut in MOULIN ROUGE”
Memorable: The hitmaker recalled the first time she watched the show, which took home 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2020, and how she instantly fell in love with it; Broadway cast seen performing in 2021
He went on to give a special shout out to current Satine, Ashley Loren, who will take her last bow on April 9.
Classy: JoJo also thanked the ‘beautiful flower arrangement’ ahead of her Moulin Rouge run which kicks off on April 11
Iconic: The Vermont native’s post also included a look inside the Al Hirschfeld Theater
Throughout her career, JoJo has released five studio albums, her most recent being December Baby (2020), which was her first Christmas-themed record that featured half Christmas songs and half original.
He also released an album of new originals, Good To Know in May 2020 that included the single What U Need, while the deluxe edition offered a remix of Lonely Hearts featuring pop star Demi Lovato.
He has also appeared in several feature films over the years, including the family comedy RV (2006), which starred the late Robin Williams.
There has been talk that he might be preparing to make another new studio album of original music in 2023, according to just jared.
JoJo also thanked the ‘incredible producers and directing staff for believing in me like you do’ and how ‘acting on Broadway and living in New York’ is an absolute ‘dream come true’ for her.
Child Star: JoJo was just 14 years old when her debut studio album, JoJo, became a smash hit; she is pictured during an appearance on MTV’s Total Request Live in New York City in June 2004