Broadway star Robert Petkoff not only stars in the Tony Award-Winning musical, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”, he is one of its biggest fans.

Petkoff started his career as a Shakespearean actor and moved on to straight plays. He played the father in the powerful drama “Fun Home” when it toured Providence.

Of all the hit musicals he has played, he is most enthralled with “Moulin Rouge”.

“Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love’” is how the musical is described.

“We see beauty all around us; we are free; and there is love,” he said. “Now if we could only work on the illusive truth part a little better.”

Moulin Rouge is the dance hall in Paris where Bohemians joined with the upper classes in the late 1800’s.

Petkoff plays Harold Zendik, owner of Moulin Rouge and facing financial troubles. He uses his star to seduce a wealthy Duke, and wouldn’t you know, they fall in love.

“The musical is bigger than life. There are over 70 songs throughout the musical,” Robert said. “Everything from Lady Gaga to the Rolling Stones. And of course, there’s the Can Can and the Bohemian Rhapsody.”

The mixture of the excess of the rich and Bohemian ideals both clash and blend at the spot when people go to forget their troubles.

Petkoff is playing Zidler now in Baltimore for two weeks and then moves on to Providence for another two weeks.

“We’ll see most of the Eastern seaboard, everything from Buffalo to Fort Lauderdale. I’ll even have a chance to unpack my suitcase,” he said. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is at PPAC December 19-31.

Don’t miss this one.

Call 421-ARTS for tickets.