Hugh Jackman Music Tour 2019- Page 3

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/26/19 at 11:15am

In case anyone's interested, there are 2 single $39.50 seats in section 308 available on Ticketmaster for Saturday night's MSG show.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/27/19 at 12:41am

So Hugh Jackman fans- u r all in for a treat. Your boy is in top form and delivers.  He starts out w a big ole tribute the "The Greatest Show"  w a fantastic troop of dancers all in very modern dance  outfits..  There is lots of chit chat ( very reminiscent of   Back on Broadway) about his wife which leads into  "All the Way" w lots of photos  of him an Deb esp from their wedding on the screens . Very sweet.  Lots of shoutouts to TO about the Raptors winning the NBA and how TO was really the start of his career because of X-Men.

THEN he told the same story about almost getting fired  but w the love and support of his wife he wasn't.   This bugs me as I was working on that set and while they may have  said something about " not seeing what they saw in the audition"  he was not going to be fired. They were already behind cos they were waiting for Dougray Scott who couldn't get out of Mission Impossible and HJ was parachuted in more than 3 weeks into the shoot. . ( he'd been under consideration earlier) Brian Singer even coached him on the part.( I've seen the tape) I also know this from the one person who knew everything going on- the script supervisor Blanche. But his story plays better.

But back to the show.

His story about learning to audition for a musical and getting it -with shots of him playing Gaston and of course  segueing into  "Gaston". Great staging  and dancing. 

I really have to give a shout to whoever designed the projections they worked wonderfully in the huge cave that is the Scotiabank Arena  filling up  all that space, esp in the Nomad/Two Worlds portion  and creating the cathedral in the Les Mis section.

I liked the "You Will Be Found"   number very much He had our local LBGTQ-A choir  Singing Out and  along with his ensemble, they did a lovely job.THEN he went and  gave an explanation  about the A standing for Allied which he cheerfully aligned himself with as an ally.  Um OK..

Soliloquy  was also well done he got all the right elements and notes. Still something was bothering me and I realized I've seen him sing it as well but the song also needs to be acted and I've seen him act it( Back to Broadway) and frankly  it felt like he was holding back.  When he sings "No fat-bottomed, flabby-faced, Pot-bellied, baggy-eyed bully Will boss him around." you need to feel that that is what has happened to Billy.  But he hit the money note at the end perfectly.            Glass half full.

Les Mis film section before he goes into " What Have I Done soliloquy "  did work  well . Jenna Lee James was great in this as well as" This Is Me" earlier  Thank G*D for the screens- otherwise she kept getting lost in all the choreography with TIM.  I don't have the name of the brunette who sang the other part in " I Dreamed a Dream/One Day More-reprise" she was also  excellent. He did mention her by name but I can't remember.   Hey they even did the waving flags at the end of the number.

He was very gracious to all his ensemble, giving them individual call outs for bows as well as all his musical accompaniment  . 

Intermission was 20 mins ( we started 15 mins late and were done by 9:50 closer to 90 mins IMO) 

Straight ( sic) into the Peter Allen section- really laid it on with the camp  Next he'll pitch a tent ( OK I'll stop!) Totes new costumes  different from BTB and lots of great dancing . ( songs  were a medley of Arthur's Theme/Don't  Cry Out Loud/ I Honestly Love You/  Quiet please... The audience participation bit with a nice  older lady w a bedazzled cane was fun but went on a bit long (and security was right there in the big screen glowering.  I guess they were afraid  of ???) Went right into I Go to Rio.  and a great quick change and into the dance numer.   The man can work it.!

He leaves briefly and come back out sans glitz no longer the hyper Peter Allen to sing "Tenterfield Saddler".

OK full disclosure- I love this song- loved it when Allen did it , loved it in the original Aus Cast recording ( it was cut from the Bway production) and loved it when Jackman sang it in BTB sitting on the steps of the stage at the Princess of Wales theatre  10 feet from me  so- I'm biased. I still love the song but I did miss the intimacy .  No other comment required.

More chat about his big bro making fun of him for wanting to take dance lessons as a kid (sissy!) only to have him apologise 10 yrs later as Hugh takes his first tap lesson . AND then we are into the Movie Musical tribute  He and the ensemble  really get a work out here  Luck Be A Lady, Singing In the Rain,Stepping out w My Baby and Sing Sing Sing.  Choreography is great  tho I swear I saw a bit of Singx3 from Fosse! but it was actually done in Steppin' Out. It's all very fast liked the lite up umbrellas they used for SinR  nice bit of contrast. 

It gets bit blurry here as he does that great tap dance/ drum number  42nd Street / Thunderstruck / September / Takin' Care of Business / Jump. Unless you are very close to the stage ( I was row 30) follow it on the screens the brilliance gets a bit lost otherwise.

There is that great spiritual bit  the Nomads Two Worlds /Over the Rainbow- like I  said here is where the projections shine and are an improvement of BTB the Outback dwarfed a theatre  but shone in the arena setting. The choir is used well too here. This is identical to BTB but really can't be improved on nicely integrates a  tribute to his homeland.

He had the crowd on their feet for "From Now On" w Jenna Lee .

OK almost done  There was this weird bit where he kept calling Toronto "sexy". WE THE NORTH r a lot o things sexy ain't one- then he went over to the orchestra and started teasing the sax and  clarinet and piano player introducing them as John, Michael, John and even said this part was total improve they don't know what I'm going to do here and the musicians faces showed it. Mostly he just had them riff until he finally got back on track and  true to his word earlier announced these were the last two songs so those who needed to head out to the car park to beat traffic....

 Mack the Knife  was great  incredible they have that much energy at that point  in the show, and he still had his voice ( which yes has become a bit more nasal) . Final number was Once Before I Go and like i said his voice still held true til the end.

In the end the Show really is  HIM -some glitz, some technique, some shmaltz ( but GOOD shmaltz as my mom usta say) some packaging but all incredibly well done. 

My only real complaint is I really would prefer the intimacy of a theatre, an arena really can't do him justice( yea i get the economics etc) so I'll wait to indulge that aspect when he  goes to do The  Music Man.

Sorry I've taken so long hope I didn't take up too much of your time

Enjoy the show!

 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 6/27/19 at 12:41 AM

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 6/27/19 at 2:11am

 

There are plenty of seats on StubHub.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 6/27/19 at 9:38am

I'll be at MSG tomorrow night and am very excited to see this. I love the set list and I've never seen Hugh perform live. Also excited to see Keala perform This Is Me.

[jo]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 1:35am

MSG has shared that Hugh Jackman sold out all his 3 shows at The Garden --

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzUbLSAgu1Z/

His show ( which is more like a musical theatre show) was certainly different from all other entertainment shows and sports events at Madison Square Garden!  

Btw, in 2 of the MSG shows, his special guests were Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.  Justin played the piano while Benj sang along softly in the back as  Keala did a popular rendition of This Is Me on the ramp. Justin also accompanied on the piano for the fantasy-like number A Million Dreams.

For the rest of his tour dates --

https://www.hughjackmantheshow.com/


Jo

Updated On: 7/12/19 at 01:35 AM

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:51pm

Hello from Salt Lake City or like some people call it SLUT...Salt Lake UT...The best show ever.....Loved everything about it.....His voice is wonderful....What a star, what a man....Still looks great....Had a wonderful time

[jo]

Posted: 7/29/19 at 9:19pm

Billboard report on the success of the tour, from the viewpoint of the show promoters.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/8523872/hugh-jackman-the-man-the-music-the-show-tour-aeg-interview

It must be his training and experience in the theatre which helped a lot in accomplishing what the promoters do not see happening with other concert artists, including the professional discipline he has adopted when he trains for any role on any stage  ( film, theatre, concert, hosting). Also, food for thought for other musical theatre entertainers who may be thinking about doing this kind of show and its potential success ?

Also, the mention of the diversity of Jackman's audience profile bodes well for the upcoming theatre project The Music Man!

 

Updated On: 7/29/19 at 09:19 PM

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:25am

As he did elsewhere on his US tour, Hugh's people chose 30-50 Gay Men's Chorus singers as backup in LA, and my husband was one of the chosen. The guys were treated beautifully, and Hugh posed for a great photo with them all. What a thrill it was to see my husband on the Hollywood Bowl stage...oh, and Hugh too, who put on a magnificent show both nights. 

[jo]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 11:36am

A surprise number in Sydney - a tribute to The City that Never Sleeps!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0qiFdUH86j/

[Javi]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 8:05pm

I saw it in Sydney last night and it was a great show.  Keala sang two songs - 'This Is Me'' and a song from her new album, she said. And we got ''I Still Call Australia Home'' instead of ''Once Before I Go'' finale.

[jo]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 8:20pm

Javi said: "I saw it in Sydney last night and it was a great show. Keala sang two songs - 'This Is Me'' and a song from her new album, she said. And we got ''I Still Call Australia Home'' instead of ''Once Before I Go'' finale."

Thanks for the info.

What did "New York, New York" replace? Or was it an added number to the song list?

 

 

[Javi]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:10pm

Jo, actually, it was a New York medley that included New York, New York, On Broadway and Empire State of Mind.  There might have been another song at the start of the medley but I can't remember what it was.

From looking at a setlist posted earlier on this thread, he didn't sing I've Been Everywhere, so the NY medley replaced that.

[jo]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:53pm

When he did BACK ON BROADWAY in 2011, he did a few NY-tribute songs --

"A ringing pairing of "I Happen to Like New York" and "On Broadway" (with a smidgen of "Lullaby of Broadway" thrown in) " - from a review of the show.

A pity that was not part of the shows at MSG

But will the medley you mentioned become part of the show when it moves to the 2nd American leg of the show?

https://www.hughjackmantheshow.com/

I saw some clips from Sydney - quite a different atmosphere as it seemed like a true homecoming concert ( esp the finale of I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME)

Thanks again!

Jo

Updated On: 8/2/19 at 10:53 PM

[idolfan05]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 1:27am

Any merchandise?

[jo]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 1:33am

idolfan05 said: "Any merchandise?"

From the official website --

http://store.hughjackmantheshow.com/

Online orders presumably available only for the first 2 items as of now -- the others are usually available at the show arenas . Maybe they will all be available online when the tour ends in October?

 

 

Updated On: 8/3/19 at 01:33 AM

[Javi]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 8:43am

Jo, actually, looking at that other setlist posted earlier in this thread, last night he did not sing Soliloquy from Carousel.  Keala's second song took that spot.

Updated On: 8/3/19 at 08:43 AM

[jo]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 9:45am

Hmm... not to sing the tribute to his Dad in the show in Australia?   That is such a wonderful musical theatre number from him. Although he sang it there when he did the Broadway to Oz series in 2015 ( patterned after Back on Broadway).

Jo

 

[Javi]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 9:59am

Yeah, saw him sing in the last tour, so all good.  Apparently his kids were there at his show today and they sang Happy Birthday for one of them.

[jo]

Posted: 8/14/19 at 6:57pm

The show added a Tribute to New York & Broadway in Sydney. Too bad it was not yet a part of the show at MSG!  Maybe it will be a part of the show when it comes back to the second American leg of the tour?

 

 

Updated On: 8/14/19 at 06:57 PM

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 8/15/19 at 2:01pm

I've been watching Hugh do his live shows for years now (I was a BOY FROM OZ groupie, and always loved the fact that the late great Barbara Cook cut her London engagement short so she could be back in New York to see Hugh's last performance) and this show was amazing (made truly special when my husband, a member of the GMCLA, was one of the guys chosen to sing backup for Hugh at the Hollywood Bowl).

[cdcooper]

Posted: 10/3/19 at 1:50am

Selling 4 tickets to Newark show this Sunday evening. Prudential center @7:30 pm.
Lower section 2,row 9.
Selling at cost or best offer.
Unexpected conflict.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/6/19 at 12:38am

Saw Hugh at Nassau Coliseum tonight (after having previously seen him at MSG back in June). What a treat to see this show again. Hugh was spectacular as always. Act 1 was slightly different...Keala sang both This Is Me and another new song she wrote called Harder, whereas Keala only sang This Is Me at MSG. Hugh did not sing Soliloquy tonight...maybe it was dropped? Act 2 was identical except during the Australian sequence Nomad Two Worlds, there were only three Aboriginal performers instead of four - the one woman who appeared at MSG (Olive Knight) was not there. I know a couple of people seeing the show tomorrow (Sunday) in Newark and they will not be disappointed. Hugh really knows how to put on a fantastic show and the enthusiastic crowd on Long Island was very appreciative. Now I have to wait a whole year to see him again on stage...but I’m sure The Music Man will be well worth the wait!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/7/19 at 11:17am

I saw it in Boston on October 1st.  Not sure I knew what to expect, but my wife and I loved it.  My wife, who had no interest in The Music Man (she doesn't like it) now wants to see it.  (She hadn't seen Oz (I was in NY on business when I saw it), had seen none of the Wolverine movies, and she really was not a fan, but this show turned her around).

Most of the numbers were terrific...personally, I could have done without one of the Greatest Showman anthems; and I felt the Aboriginal portion went on for too long...I assume partially to give him a break.

Jackman's voice is not always pleasant...it tends to get a little too nasally when he is going for the money notes, but that is more than made up by his natural charisma.  His comfort with the audience in the 90% filled Boston Garden was amazing, his stories were personal, his joy on stage was palpable.  Don't know how much longer this is touring -- the T-shirts listing the dates/cities of the tour ran out a couple of months ago -- but a strong recommendation.