The Broadway lights are dimming for Karen Olivo’s run as Satine in “Moulin Rouge!”
The Tony-winning actress and singer announced Wednesday on Instagram that she’s leaving the beloved musical, explaining in a lengthy and fiery video post that she will not return to the production in protest.
The 44-year-old claimed that she’s exiting the Broadway show due to industry silence over the harassment and abuse allegations against famed film and theater producer Scott Rudin.
“Moulin Rouge!” producers confirmed Olivo’s exit in a statement to The Post.
“We can confirm that Karen Olivo will not return to the production when the show resumes performances on Broadway,” a representative said. “‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ is forever indebted to Karen Olivo’s artistry, passion, and craft in creating the role of Satine on stage. We applaud and support Karen’s advocacy work to create a safe, diverse, and equitable theater industry for all. Karen has been an indelible influence on our show from its beginning, and words cannot properly express our gratitude. We wish Karen great success, and above all, love.”
Earlier this month, several of Rudin’s ex-staffers came forward and detailed his alleged abusive behavior in the workplace. Ex-employees revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that in 2012, Rudin, 62, allegedly smashed an Apple computer monitor on an assistant’s hand, landing him in the emergency room and leaving the rest of the staff shaken. Another worker claimed that the “Social Network” producer threw a baked potato at his head when he didn’t know the answer to a question.
“Humanity is more important than my bank account,” Olivo captioned the five-minute video.
“Social justice is more important than being the sparkling diamond,” Olivo began in the clip, referencing one of her most famous “Moulin Rouge!” musical numbers. “Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets. Building a better industry – I’m yelling now – building a better industry is more important than putting money in my pockets.”
The “Hamilton” actress added: “For all of ya’ll who don’t hear me, the silence about Scott Rudin – unacceptable. Unacceptable. That’s the easy one, ya’ll. That’s a monster. That should be a no-brainer.”
Olivo then conveyed a message to colleagues, asking, “What is your integrity saying you should do? You going to protect your pocketbook and let people go to the emergency room, so you can go to your next concert?”
The stage starlet won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of “West Side Story.” She then earned a Tony nomination in 2020 for originating the lead role of Satine in “Moulin Rouge!”
While Rudin is not directly involved in “Moulin Rouge!,” the Oscar winner is a big player in the world of theater. His recent shows include “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “The Book of Mormon.”