Jay Armstrong Johnson Takes Center Stage in Moulin Rouge!
Broadway star Jay Armstrong Johnson has stepped back onto the stage of Bass Performance Hall, the venue where his journey in professional theater began. Now portraying Christian in the acclaimed Moulin Rouge! The Musical, which boasts ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, Johnson's return is a significant milestone.
Opening night resonated with nostalgia for Johnson, who first graced this stage at just 13 years old while touring with Peter Pan. "It's my home theater," he expressed, reflecting on the emotional significance of the venue. "I feel so lucky and privileged to call this my home theater."
After graduating from the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, Johnson's career flourished across theater, television, and film. His Broadway debut came with Hair, and he also made a memorable appearance in Sex and the City 2, where he shared a dance scene with Kim Cattrall. "There's a close-up of us dancing to 'Single Ladies' while Liza Minnelli was performing on stage," he recalled. "A wild time, a wild time."
In Moulin Rouge!, Johnson embodies Christian, a passionate writer whose love story with Satine, a dancer at the iconic Parisian cabaret, unfolds dramatically. "Christian and I are kind of alike," he noted. "I left Fort Worth at 17 to pursue a life of the arts, creativity, love, and community. So, I can kind of relate to Christian in that way."
Arianna Rosario, who plays Satine, described her character as someone who "gives her heart to everyone, her family there at the Moulin Rouge, and is very driven. She's never been in love before, so meeting Christian kind of surprises her."
The production features an array of high-energy musical numbers that span decades, showcasing hits from David Bowie to Lady Gaga. Performing nightly demands considerable stamina, and Johnson emphasizes the importance of rest and routine. "For me, I need to get a lot of sleep," he stated. "If I can get a good night's rest, then it kind of carries me over."
He elaborated on his pre-show regimen: "It's making sure that I'm eating well, not eating too much before the show, taking all my acid reflux meds. It's kind of like your life is not your own when you're doing things like this."
Returning to Texas has its advantages, particularly when it comes to food choices. "Whataburger," he laughed. "I think I've had it four times since being in Texas… which means I really have to take my acid reflux meds, you know."
Moulin Rouge! The Musical runs through June 15 at Bass Performance Hall.
Erin Jones, raised in Richardson, proudly identifies as a North Texas native. Her passion for journalism ignited in elementary school when she declared her aspiration to become a journalist in her 5th-grade graduation memory book.
