Ricky Rojas returns to Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ a third time. He puts on a masterful performance with Sophie Carmen-Jones in this scene. (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
It’s rare that a Broadway performer has the opportunity to return to a hit show twice after exiting the production, but Ricky Rojas left such an impact on Moulin Rouge! he did just that.
Rojas, who originated the role of Santiago when the Tony-winning musical opened in July 2019, returned to the production in Sept. 2021 after COVID caused the musical to shut down.
He left in May 2022, and returned again for five months in 2023 before leaving in September. This fall he returned for a third run, continuing to deliver a scene-stealing performance as Paris’ extraordinary tango dancer and passionate paramour.
Rojas spoke with The New York Independent about his journey to Moulin Rouge! and why it continues to feel vibrant and exciting as the show celebrate its fifth anniversary on Broadway.
The New York Independent: Moulin Rouge! continues to feel fresh and invigorating for the audience. How do you maintain that feeling as an actor after having worked on the show for so long?
Ricky Rojas: I liked the show since the beginning. I’ve always been its biggest fan. I’m like the mascot, if you will! [The breaks] have worked out really well for me because I live in France. I divvy up my time between France and New York. Six months on and six months off has helped to keep it fresh. It’s a really fun show to be a part of and I still get a buzz doing it every night.
NYI: How have you seen the show change over the years?
Rojas: You never know how it’s going to hit when you do any Broadway show. In the beginning we were taking it really seriously without experiencing an audience reaction. We only had to go by the reaction that we had as actors to the music. As soon as they put it in front of an audience we had to adjust a little bit to the tone of it.
People started laughing when they first heard music in the show. At first, we didn’t realize they were laughing because they recognized the song-not just because it was funny. It progressed as soon as we found that tone. It still happens now. There was a lot of pressure in the beginning because you don’t know how it’s going to be received and reviewed, but over the years it has been able to breathe a little bit more and there’s a fun vibe at the Rouge at the moment. It’s really cool.
NYI: What has been the impetus to keep returning to the show, aside from your obvious appreciation for the material?
Rojas: I want to keep coming back! From the beginning, I have felt like it’s a part of me. I love the people and I love my friends. Every time I leave it’s like I’m leaving my friends at the theater, not just leaving the show. It’s always a pleasure to return. I have never known if, or when, I’m coming back. I’m always like, “Let me know if you need me!” It has worked out well.
NYI: Because you were in the original cast, you must look back and reflect not only on the show, but on yourself as well. What have you learned about yourself and how have you grown in five years?
Rojas: I’ve definitely changed a bit. Even now, I still keep finding new things in the piece. It also depends on who is in the show at the moment. As the actor, it is your job to react and be present, otherwise you’re on autopilot to a show that is five years old with a different cast and different people. I’ve learned the importance of being present and committed the whole way.
Aaron Tviet (left), Andre Ward and Ricky Rojas in a scene from Moulin Rouge! (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
NYI: Santiago seems to have more sex appeal, and he’s even funnier at this stage.
Rojas: The show is so massive and it’s such a feast for the senses that you have to watch it three times before you can take it in. One time isn’t enough because there’s so much happening the whole time. That’s the beauty of it. That’s why I think we get a lot of repeat visits to the show. There’s something different every single time you come and watch it, whether it’s some music you realized is in it, or someone is doing a performance or a piece of choreography that you didn’t notice before. There’s so much. I remember the first time I saw the theater itself in Boston, and I experienced the set, my mouth hit the floor. I thought: This is epic!
NYI: Of the many songs you perform, which resonates most with you?
Rojas: It has to be “Bad Romance” at the top of Act II. It’s really exposing because it’s literally just me on the chair at the beginning. I love that. If a show is really good like that, it can be so massive, but at some point it’s also so simple. It has a real balance. “Bad Romance” is fun to dance and “Roxanne” is wonderful, too.
NYI: How has your training as a performer been complemented by the material in Moulin Rouge!?
Rojas: I never trained as a dancer. I’m an actor, vocalist, and guitarist first, but I can move. I’m a good mimic! My first show was Burn the Floor fifteen years ago; it’s a ballroom dancing show. I was a singer, so I was surrounded by the most amazing ballroom and Latin dancers in the world. I watched their posture and how they attack a piece of choreography with their energy and focus. I really try to emulate that.
A dance step is just a dance step if you’re not going to feel it and act it and if it’s not going to have intent. Robyn Hurder and I fed off each other in that respect; she acted everything out. [Hurder originated the role of Nini.] We just dove in. No holds barred. I was born in a Hispanic community in Chile, so I’ve been dancing since I was little. I even did some Chilean folk dancing. It’s more of an attitude in the passion and posture.
NYI: What is your earliest memory of yourself as a performer?
Rojas: I’ve been singing since I was five. I started singing in the cabaret club circuit in Australia when I was about 14. That taught me a lot. At 20 I got my first musical in Australia: The Buddy Holly Story. I played Ritchie Valens. I haven’t looked back since.
NYI: You’re leaving Moulin Rouge! again soon. What are your plans?
Rojas: I’m going back home to France and my parents are coming to visit from Melbourne, Australia. I’m going to work on restoring my farm house, do a lot of antiquing, gigs, and auditions. I’d love to do more film and TV. To do a musical I have to have a passion for it. I’d love to create something again from the bottom up.
NYI: Is there a dream role on your bucket list?
Rojas: I’d love to do Sweeney Todd. I went to watch Aaron Tveit and I was like, “Ahhh. That’s a good part!” It’s such a meaty role and the music is amazing. That was such a cool production and he was fabulous in it.
Ricky Rojas continues with his current run in Moulin Rouge! through September 8. Visit moulinrougemusical.com to purchase tickets to the 10-time Tony-Award winning show, now starring Aaron Tveit and Joanna “JoJo” Levesque.