BoyFromOz to close down during Hugh's vacation schedules?

I've just read this ASSOCIATED PRESS item ( MiamiHerald.com) --


Posted on Thu, Dec. 18, 2003

'Boy From Oz' to Shut Down for Vacation
Associated Press

NEW YORK - The show won't go on while Hugh Jackman takes his vacation from "The Boy From Oz."

The Broadway musical will shut down Feb. 1-6 and March 28-April 2 while its hardworking star takes some time off, Joe Perrotta, a spokesman for the show, said Thursday.

Jackman, who plays gay entertainer Peter Allen in the musical, hasn't missed a performance since the show opened at the Imperial Theatre Oct. 16.

"The Boy From Oz" has been doing strong business at the Imperial, setting a house record there last week with a gross of $903,803. It was the third week in a row the musical has broken the house record.

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So, it looks like Kevin Spirtas or John Hill will not be getting their chances yet to play Peter Allen on stage.


Jo

Wow that's crazyness

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HUGH JACKMAN

The Boy From Oz

No one can follow him. I saw the show to see him. I want to see him again, wherever and whenever I can. He's that good.

Oh well, I'll be in NYC March 30-April 4th. Kind of narrows down my choices of shows.

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I think it's ridiculous. I mean, I love Hugh in the role, but I'm all for giving understudies/up and coming actors a chance to shine.
When Maureen Moore filled in for Bernadette Peters (not just when she was sick, but when she was on vacation as well), sure, half the house was empty; but the people who did go really seemed to enjoy Maureen's performance. I know I enjoyed her in the role. Was she better than Bernadette? No way; but it was interesting to see someone else in the role.

Producers would really rather lose all of the ticket sales for those weeks rather than risk having only half of an audience?

Audiences wouldn't have to pay $100. For Gypsy they lowered the prices when Bernadette was on vacation.

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Updated On: 12/18/03 at 09:54 PM

i've been to the show and i am going again this sunday ( i bought the second set of tickets back when tickets first became available), so i know the only reason to see the show is because of hugh jackman. the show is not one of my favorites and i bought the cast recording (which grates on my nerves - a first for me) and the music is not so hot either. so the only reason to see the show again is for him. if he's not there, neither am i.

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Updated On: 12/18/03 at 10:31 PM

Actually, I did enjoy the show regardless of the fact I was so swept away by Hugh Jackman. I'm seeing it again in July...I couldn't get first row seats till then.

they are smart. I know the u/s's are wonderful BUT, producers prob. know how many refunds they would have to give out if Hugh was out and the show did go on..it's worth-it to just shut down.

Yes, they are smart. Hugh keeps the show open.

I have AA113 for Jan. 3. Where is it in relation to the conducor?

liag, you should be fine. my seat was something like 106 or 108-ish. so you're over a bit and out of the way of the man's head!!

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To Auggie

"Songs that don't fit " ? - " All I Wanted Was The Dream" seemed like it was written with Judy Garland in mind. " I Go To Rio" summed up Peter Allens life. Believe you are dead wrong here. My wife , mother in law, brother in law & his mistress loved the show as did everyone else there

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Mr. Roxy: Re "OZ," we agree on a couple of things. Elsewhere on this board, I make specific mention of how perfectly "All I Wanted..." captures the bittersweet, regret-filled Garland of middle age. I also feel the child's version of "Name In Lights" works wonderfully, as I posted. But sorry, "I Go To Rio" is a dandy finale, a la a concert--but summing up Peter's life? "When my baby smiles at me I go to Rio, and I am free at last?" Uh, the marachas metaphor is lost on me, especially when accompanied by the camp moment of the season: Garland and "dead" company descending-from-heaven in chic William Ivy Long ghost costumes. Ditto, on the act one closer, "Boy Next Door." A man who has already shtupped Garland's husband, married and left Liza, is pretty damned worldly--and self-aware. He has never been "The Boy Next Door," so as a sexual/show biz epiphany, the lyric is toothless. And to underscore my point, the song used to be elsewhere in the show (first position?) They've shuffled them all around in previews, shoe-horning them in where they "best" work. Fowler trying to make Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud" the Freudian explanation for Peter's smile-as-your-heart-breaks MO was a particular strain.

But I don't want a contentious debate about this show. I totally understand its success. Hey, I stood and cheered too at the end. Hugh's work got to me. I was truly moved by the little boy reuniting with Peter at the end, for that child-in-the-man moment. It really works. But the seams show throughout the evening; even with Hugh, I don't think the show well crafted, or that musical numbers are organic. For my money, the "Mama Mia" syndrom should be abandoned after this.

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Updated On: 12/19/03 at 08:57 AM