Stevie Nicks in Concert at PPG; PNC Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge’ Opens at Benedum (Wed., 9/27/23)

1) With the death of Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie last November, the status of the group is uncertain. Fleetwood Mac member and solo superstar, Stevie Nicks, has always gone her own way. Nick’s most recent album is 2014’s 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault. Almost all of the album’s songs existed as demos that Nicks recorded between 1969 and 1987. Most were leaked on the internet. None, however, were finished. In 2014, Nicks went to Nashville, and in two weeks, she and some session musicians put the final, finishing touches on these songs. The album entered the Billboard 200 chart at no. 7, giving Nicks her sixth top 10 album on that chart. Her solo success first came with her first album release, 1981’s Bella Donna. 7 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 5th Ave., Uptown. (C.M., R.H.)

MOULIN ROUGE! (jukebox musical) based on the film by Baz Luhrmann, written by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce, with book by John Logan. Touring company at Benedum Center, Sept. 27 – Oct. 8.

2) Although set in turn-of-the-century Paris, particularly the Montmartre district renowned for the famous French cabaret, Moulin Rouge! features the popular 20th century music of Elton John, Adele, Madonna, Sting, Katy Perry, Pink and Dolly Parton (among many, many others.) Indeed, the Broadway version of Luhrmann’s original film is truly a jukebox of pop hits that drive the emotions of this not-so-subtle (nor new) love story. The plot is welcomingly familiar: young musical composer arrives in town and falls in love with the lead actress only to be thwarted by the producer who needs his leading lady to save the show by seducing a wealthy benefactor. For good measure, Moulin Rouge! includes some historical perspectives of the Belle Epoque (the painter Toulouse-Lautrec takes stage) but for all of the Bohemian esprit and Parisian debauche, the story could be told in any (albeit theatrical) setting.

Yet, the reason Moulin Rouge! won ten Tony Awards in 2020 is because it offers two and a half hours of energy that just doesn’t quit. Best Musical, Best Lead Actor, Best Featured Actor, Best Direction, Best Choreography…the list goes on. As does the pop music. Performed often in thematic medleys, more than 70 hits lift the audience in ways a Can-Can dancer’s skirt never will. PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. 7:30 p.m. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District. (C.P.O.)

Adéa Michelle Sessoms and Jennifer Wolfe in the North American Tour of ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical. ‘ (Photo: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

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