Out Actor Sharrod Williams

Headlines ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical,’ Matt Terrell Hosts Live Cooking Demo

Many people don’t remember this, but when Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge!” was released in movie theaters in 2001, it won two Oscars and was nominated for a slew more, but it wasn’t a major commercial success. Over time, it’s become almost iconic. Now it’s a stage musical whose national tour hits the ATL this week with performer Sharrod Williams in the cast. He plays the role of Pierre.

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical!” hit Broadway in the summer of 2019. The show won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Aaron Tveit. It tells the story of a young composer who arrives in Paris and eventually falls in love with Satine, the star performer at the titular Moulin Rouge club.

Pierre is the person who tells the Duke of Monroth that Satine is sneaking around with another man behind his back.

“That is the beginning of the end for the journey of Satine,” Williams said. The actor doesn’t have any lines — it’s a nonspeaking role.

“It has been a test of my acting ability to do this without saying anything,” he said. “It’s fun and difficult. My trajectory in theater has been more of a dance journey, and it’s been fun to be featured in another way.”

That character was written for the musical and isn’t in the movie. Pierre is a queer character, the lover of Nathan Fielder, who runs the club. It’s exciting for Williams to jump into that lane and play an unapologetically gay character — and find the nuance of not making it too camp.

“Showing that queer love on stage is so exciting,” he said. “That exposure, that storyline, is so important for me to share. It’s been fun building him and finding Pierre and finding myself doing this. I think there is never enough space held for queerness in the land of living at the moment and having a queer character is so important. We need to hold space and have more queerness on stage every day. This musical is a great platform for that.”

The androgyny of the ensemble is also supported and encouraged by the producers. Goldberg loves being in such a progressive show that travels across the nation and inspires queer people and tells them it’s okay to be themselves.

It’s a production that Williams didn’t necessarily ever see himself in. He was certainly aware of the material, but when the workshop of the stage version began, he didn’t continue far in the audition process, because he booked another project.

“Fast forward a while and they are having auditions for the tour,” Williams said. “To be completely honest, I was dodging the audition a bit. I imagined they wanted tall buff guys and didn’t want tiny little me. My agent kept telling me they were switching dates for me to make it.”

He eventually reached out, danced for the producers, and was asked to be part of the tour.

Williams has been performing most of his life. Music was a first love, because it seemed to be inherited from generation to generation. He was first in a choir and discovered dance late in college. By the time of his graduation, he realized could do both.

He’s never seen the film version of “Moulin Rouge” from start to finish, but certainly understands its appeal.

“I think we all love love,” he said. “As human beings we are hard-wired to seek and desire love. That is one of the themes of the show — truth, beauty, freedom and love . We also all love a love story. This is pure fantasy. In the musical, we are using pop music songs we all know and love that amplifies and elevates the attractiveness of the show. Those are the things that make the movie and musical so iconic.”

Out artist, chef and Kennesaw State University professor Matthew Terrell will be hosting a free live cooking demo and screening of his series, “Living the Dream” on April 23. As part of the event, Terrell will unveil “Ten Magic Tricks” with patrons that promise to make their lives in the kitchen easier, such as “One Simple Trick to Make Any Seafood Taste Freshly Caught.”

The series, says Terrell, is a celebration of Southern food and the unique stories and traditions that accompany it.

More Info

“Moulin Rouge” runs through April 30 at the Fox Theatre

Katie Burkholder

QUEER BAIT

April 21

Mary’s Gay pop videos every Friday with DJ Headmaster. $5 after 9pm.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE WARM UP PARTY

April 21, 7pm

Woof’s No cover. Learn more at atlantabearpride.com.

DISCO DOLLZ

April 21, 8pm

Future Atlanta

Starring Raja, the season three winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race! Tickets via universe.com.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE KICK OFF PARTY

April 21, 9pm

Heretic

Learn more at atlantaearpride.com.

Hot Mess Dance Party

April 21, 10pm

The Basement

For pop lovers, this is the only night out in Atlanta where you’ll heat an expertly curated mix of pop and dance music, from Lady Gaga to Charli XCX, with DJ Kimber. Buy tickets at basementatl.com.

Jocks And Socks

April 21, 11pm

Atlanta Eagle

With DJ Moose.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE RANDY T-DANCE

April 22, 3pm

Heretic

With DJ Arjun Reddy from Miami. Learn more at atlantabearpride.com.

Atlanta Titans Beer Bust

April 22, 4pm

Atlanta Eagle

Hotlanta Softball League’s legendary Atlanta Titans invite you to join them for what you do best: DRINK! $10 beer bust, Jello shots, 50/50 Raffle, and more!

Bearracuda Atlanta

April 22, 9pm

Heretic

With DJ Manny Lehman. Learn more at atlantabearpride.com.

LEATHER MONARCHY

April 22, 11pm

Atlanta Eagle

With DJ Brady Prince. $5 cover.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE XION

April 23, 3am

Future Atlanta

With DJ Nina Flowers. Tickets at futureatlanta.com.

‘80S DAY PARTY

April 23, 3pm

The Hideaway

With DJ Devon Rex.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE

SUNDAY FUNDAY

April 23, 4pm

Woof’s No cover.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE

SUNDAY TEA DANCE

April 23, 7pm

Atlanta Eagle

With DJ Neon. Tickets available at the door, $5 cover.

SUPER SMASH BROS

ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

April 23, 7pm

Joystick

Every Sunday, Joystick hosts a knockout Smash tournament. Sign up starts at 6:30pm.

FELIX’S TURNABOUT SHOW 2023

April 23, 9pm

Felix’s

Come watch your favorite bartenders go from slinging drinks to serving fish to benefit Positive Impact Health Centers. Hosted by Nicole Paige Brooks with music by DJ AF.

ATLANTA BEAR PRIDE CLOSING PARTY

April 24, midnight

Future Atlanta

With DJ Karlitos.

CARTRIDGE ATL

April 26, 8pm

Joystick

Every Wednesday, Black-owned gamer lounge Cartridge ATL takes over Joystick with live DJs, food, gaming tournaments, and karaoke.

Event Spotlight

Atlanta Bear Pride Xion

Future Atlanta

April 22, 3am

MARYOKE

April 26, 9pm

Mary’s

OPEN MIC COMEDY

April 27, 8pm

Joystick

Spend Thursday nights laughing at the best local comedians in town.

COUNTRY NIGHT

April 27, 9pm

Heretic

Every Thursday night, enjoy country twostep, line dancing, and more at the Heretic with DanceOut Atl. Don’t know how? Show up at 8pm for a free lesson!

QUEER BAIT

April 28

Mary’s

Gay pop videos every Friday with DJ Headmaster. $5 after 9pm.

TAYLOR SWIFT AFTERPARTY

April 28, 10pm

Future Atlanta

With DJ Joe Gauthreaux. No cover.

HANNES BIEGER LIVE

April 28, 11pm

District Atlanta

Tickets at bit.ly/HANNESATL2023.

End Overdose Atlanta

April 29, 4pm

District Atlanta

District is hosting an amazing outdoor daytime event with music, food, raffle prizes, education, and free naloxone certifications in collaboration with End Overdose to raise awareness and funds for the prevention of opioid-related deaths. Tickets via Eventbrite.

Leather And Lace

April 29, 4pm

Atlanta Eagle

Leathermen to restrain you, Drag delights to entertain you. $10 beer bust, $20 margarita bust. Drag show starts at 5pm, hosted by Sister Panti Heaux of New York and Sister Sissy Sweet Tea. All money raised will be donated to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

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