Wayne Brady and Taye Diggs Bring Star Power to Moulin Rouge! The Musical

When you think of a Broadway party, few shows capture that energy quite like Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Now two powerhouse performers, Wayne Brady and Taye Diggs, have joined the cast, bringing their charisma and talent to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. I had the chance to sit down with them to talk about the thrill of stepping into one of Broadway’s biggest spectacles.

For Brady, joining Moulin Rouge! was nothing short of being “shot out of a cannon into this loud, amazing rollercoaster of a ride.” Diggs agreed, calling it “the best party ever,” while also acknowledging the challenge of meeting the show’s high bar of talent. “Every day we’re being reminded how incredible these New York performers are,” he reflected.

The two began rehearsals side by side, a whirlwind process that lasted just under three weeks. Brady thrived in the fast pace, enjoying the camaraderie of being “thrown into it together.” Diggs admitted to feeling “petrified” at first, but credited Brady’s calm energy with helping him settle in. “I forgot rehearsal is when you’re supposed to mess up and feel your way,” he said. “It was a great reminder.”

For Brady, returning to Broadway feels like being home: “This is my happy place.” Diggs added that the years have given him a new appreciation: “Now I don’t take anything for granted. I can look out at the audience and really remember why I love this.” Reflecting on their early careers, Brady recalled “being hungry,” waiting for hours outside theaters just for the chance to audition. “I really loved those formative days,” he said. Diggs remembered the fearless confidence of youth: “We just did our thing. Now I overthink, but back then, there was nothing to lose.”

Brady cited Ben Vereen and Sammy Davis Jr. as his earliest inspirations, sharing how Vereen eventually became both a mentor and father figure to him. Diggs found himself nodding along, surprised by how much Vereen had influenced his own path as well. Their advice to young artists was clear: “Don’t let anyone stop you. You have a place at the table,” Brady emphasized.

From forgotten lines to made-up French words, the two stars also laughed about their occasional onstage mishaps, keeping the conversation grounded and real. But at the heart of it, both Brady and Diggs are embracing the joy, challenge, and celebration that Moulin Rouge! demands every night. With their combined star power, humor, and heart, Broadway’s biggest party just got even better.

For more information on Moulin Rouge! The Musical visit www.MoulinRougeMusical.com