Hugh Jackman and The Boy from Oz publicity

[jo]

Posted: 5/21/03 at 10:54pm

It's not often that one sees so much publicity being heaped on a relatively unknown stage musical still due to open.

Practically every media appearance or print interview that Hugh Jackman has made in recent weeks for "X2" has made mention of his new Broadway musical. It's also probably likely that he accepted the hosting duties for the TONY awards to give a huge boost to "The Boy From Oz".

Of course, his one-year stint with the show ( rather unusual for a much-in-demand movie star) is probably the whole basis for its box-office appeal.

Do you think The Boy from Oz, a bio-musical, is the type of show ( assuming it's fairly well received by the critics)that can last beyond Hugh's involvement in the musical?

Would it appeal like musicals based on songs related to popular singers ( e.g.,Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, etc)?


jo Updated On: 5/21/03 at 10:54 PM

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/21/03 at 11:10pm

From what I have heard, the show sounds great. Ok, yes, I am partial to one of his co-stars, but I do enjoy Hugh as I have said in previous posts.

I think what you said about WWRY and MM is probably quite true. When I went to see WWRY, the book was nothing less of ridulous...but the music and the cast made up for it.

As for BFO...I personally can't wait to see it!

PigletH13

[jo]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 12:15am

Hi Piglet HI3,

I have listened to the Australian cast recording and I was surprised to enjoy the songs a lot.

My favourite song is "I Honestly Love You" which will be sung by Jarrod !

I had this brainstorm before -- is it possible that Jarrod accepted this role ( when he probably has other choices) because he will take over the Peter Allen role when Hugh leaves the production? Do you think he'd suit the role?


jo

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 6:29am

One would hope that Jarrod will by the time Jackman leaves be moving on himself to star in "Can't Help Falling in Love" the simply wonderful musical using Elvis Presley songs (but not about Elvis) which he starred in at the showcase performances earlier this year. It is one of the best of all the new musicals in the pipeline and should be ready in about a year.

By the way, he would be a terrific Peter Allen...I suspect much better than (...oh well, let's not go there).

However, the best Peter Allen bar none is Todd McKenney. He was more Peter than Peter himself. I say that having known and worked with Peter.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 7:04am

IssaMe said it all...even if he/she doesn't respond to Private messages...sorry...had to say that.

Anyway, whatever Jarrod does, I know Badseed and I will be there to see it. As Jarrod has always said, he never thinks of himself as a dancer...and maybe I am wrong....but I suspect that the role of Peter Allen may have a few dance steps to do. Yes...Jarrod has danced in the other shows he has done, but he is no Scott Wise! LOL!

PigletH13
(who really wanted Clay to win!!! But is still happy for Ruben!)

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 7:17am

The dancing in "Boy From..." is fairly elementary - Peter was not really a dancer either. He once joked with me that even though he danced with the Rockettes that he wasn't really a dancer and wanted to do "Legs Diamond" on Broadway because : (quote): "I want to do 'Legs Diamond' before my own 'legs' go".

Jarrod could easily handle the dance steps - he moves terrifically (possibly better than the person who will be playing the role) --- above all, Jarrod's "dancing" and movement has in common with Peter Allen's the most important component...it is SEXY! Both of them "danced" even when just walking or standing still.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 9:11am

hmmm...very interesting!

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 9:54am

For example, of all the guys who have played the lead role of Jerry in "The Full Monty", Jarrod was the only one who never stopped moving even when the attention was somewhere else on the stage...he was never "off"...he was into the appropriate body movement of the character he was playing at all times even if the audience was looking somewhere else (can you IMAGINE, Piglet, the audience looking somewhere ELSE when Jarrod is on stage)??? : -) ...sorry don't know how to make a winking smiley face!

So in that respect concerning movement, he is EXACTLY like Peter Allen was. Just an observation.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/22/03 at 10:28am

interesting. I say that for a few reasons. But mostly b/c I agree with you. After seeing FM several times while in London last year, I agree with that completely. And you surprise me by saying that people would actually look someplace else than at him! LOL! (its a semi colon).

I am reminded of my conversation with him a few days before the last RH show. He said, "well, I think its going to be good, but I am not a dancer." I laughed and said "Um...yes you are." When I arrived in London for first preview, when he came out after the show, I looked right at him and said...see...you can dance! He laughed.

I just find it interesting that he doesn't think he can dance. Its sort of like Douglas Sills when he used to tell us all that he wasn't a singer!

Now...can you tell me why you aren't responding to my private messages? Or would you rather not. (Can you tell I am in a weird mood?)

Hours until Badseed arrives:

6h 20 min

WOOHOOOOOO!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/23/03 at 6:37pm

Jarrod was fine in the London MONTY (even though the production was starting to fall apart when I saw it last July). However, TSMrW was totally in character throughout every performance I saw him in. In fact, TSMrW is ALWAYS in character onstage. I know that Piglet is a great Jarrod fan, but let's keep our objectivity. (BTW: Jarrod told me he's very fond of Piglet, too!)

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/23/03 at 8:03pm

You have made my millenium!!!! He did????? Really? Cause now I am not so sure! Please private message me with what you remember him saying. It's REALLY good for my health to hear that!

And let me say that I also adore TSMrW. I thoroughly enjoyed the part in Oklahoma where he was shirtless! I know Dolly, he's yours!!! And you have my absolute blessing.

As you and I discussed on that other schlocky board...they are both very talented and will continuously be up for the same roles (if Patrick comes back after his movies!). And will have the pleasure of both you and I at every one of their shows!!

PigletH13

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 7:07am

...I think Jarrod should play Peter Allen and Wilson (oops, sorry...TSMrW) should play his lover. Hmm...now what to do with this Jackman fella.

Then Piglet and Dollypop could sit together in the front row...and I could wave at them from the stage.

[jo]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 7:11am

Except there may not be a "Boy from OZ" if there were no Jackman fella


jo

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 7:14am

...makes YOU right but doesn't make IT right.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 7:37am

well, you can do that anyway as I will be in the front row for first preview. Now...who will you be playing on that stage?

[jo]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 7:47am

The fella is a very good actor, can sing extremely well, and has a commanding presence on stage ( I did see him in OKLAHOMA! on stage in London). About the dancing - well, maybe his so-called "professional moving on stage" is not what you have in mind to be more like Peter Allen - he is a bit too tall perhaps, but he can dance the waltz like a Duke and can look elegant partnering Josefina Gabrielle in a dream ballet.

Besides, he can do the Aussie accent pretty good.

jo

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 8:01am

I am so excited to see Hugh on stage. And truthfully, Jarrod doesn't need to be the lead in every show he does. I am just happy that they cast him in the show...as is the very excited Badseed. We stood under the theatre marquis and listened to all of the excitement from the passerbys.

The fact that Hugh is in it has caused quite a stir among those walking by.

PigletH!3

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 9:15am

Dollypop - are you going to bid on the candid (well not THAT candid) photo of TSMrW and that Jackman guy currently on ebay?

Or did you take it?

Don't get me wrong - I like Mr. Jackman just fine...just didn't care for him in his workshop performances in this particular role. He is as charming and talented as all get-out but he is no more Peter Allen than Ruthie Henshall would be (she wasn't Liza either...)

But the public won't know the difference in the slightest ! ....and it should/will be a big hit.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 11:06am

with IssaMe on stage with Jarrod and Hugh! Where is my cast list? I gotta figure this out!

(How I long for the days when IssaMe used to talk to me!)

:)

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 1:10pm

...connected with reaching "chorus member" status on this site.

The last time I looked, I was not yet assigned to be on stage of this particular show. But maybe, in the unlikely event they get desperate enough...

Frankly, I think Dollypop would be a great addition to the show doing his joint mutual admiration act with TSMrW.

Sorry, due to whose computer I use and the setup here, I am not able to personal message at this point.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 1:38pm

then I will be onstage too! WOOHOO! Go us!

As for personal messaging...alas...I have allowed my email addy to be seen. Should you ever want to use it! LOL! [e-mail].

So Badseed is seeing Man of LaMancha tday and then we are all seeing Millie tonight. Ofcourse beginning with my traditional restaurant first!!! Dreary weather will not get me completely down just yet!

You know...in regards to Dolly on stage...I think it would be fun to have YOU and Dolly onstage! Not sure what kind of scene...any ideas??

Updated On: 5/24/03 at 01:38 PM

[theaterbuff]

Posted: 5/24/03 at 2:53pm

It should be great

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 5/25/03 at 4:37am

I was passing by the Imperial tonight and they've already got the marquee up for The Boy From Oz--and Les Miz is barely closed yet! :-P

[IssaMe]

Posted: 5/25/03 at 9:45am

Gannon (Aussie) and Fox (Brit) are really good producers who don't let any grass grow under their feet. The show also has an excellent general manager, Al Poland (an old friend of Judy's and Liza's...at one point he even ran the Judy Garland fan club).

But perhaps even more important, what this show has going for it is the total and unrelenting support of Gerald Schoenfeld, head of the Shubert Organization.

He saw the show during its workshop and fell in love with it (to the point of giving it the Imperial, a key Shubert house that nobody thought would ever see with any show other than Les Miz for the foreseeable future). From the get-go, there was no question, no debate - "The Boy from Oz" had the Imperial. This coupled with Jackman made it a "go".

With this kind of on-top-of-it team you won't see the Les Miz front-of-house material linger in front of its former theater as DOTV's has for months.