Hugh Jackman in The Music Man- Page 10

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 1:25am

SweetLips22 said: "GavestonPS said: "SweetLips22 said: "I am very pleased that your nasty comments were removed from the other thread but still you continue to be cruel with words about a performer that are totally unnecessary."

Why "unnecessary", SweetLips? That Matthew Broderick made a preposterously blah Harold Hill is just stating a fact. I like a lot of his work, but his enervated traveling salesman wouldn't have sold a single uniform, much less started a mass panic over a pool hall."

I do not think the references were directed to his performance in The Music Man but to the man in general.

'untalented, dead body, blahderick, void' might seem to some as amusing, I feel unnecessary.

"

I understand now, thanks. To me, THE MUSIC MAN was a huge misstep for Broderick and to this day I don't know what anyone involved (including the star) was thinking. But I like Broderick's other film work, even though I have to admit I've never seen him live.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 1:49am

JayElle said: "Good to know Sweetlips. I thought the producer selected the cast. He seems to get his fingers into everything."

That's true in theory, but the theory only occasionally governs who gets the ultimate say. You might enjoy the chapter entitled "The Muscle" in William Goldman's essential book on Broadway in the mid-20th century, THE SEASON. (A couple of the chapters are out-of-date because the book was written before ticketing became computerized, for example; but most of it is still relevant fifty years after publication.)

The Muscle, as Goldman uses the term, is the party with the best track record and/or most forceful personality among the creative team. To paraphrase Goldman, The Muscle might be the star if the star is Ethel Merman or Mary Martin--UNLESS the director is Jerome Robbins (GYPSY) or Gower Champion (I DO! I DO!). The Muscle was definitely the producer if s/he was David Merrick (again, unless Champion was directing) or Hal Prince.

Goldman then goes on to caution us about productions where The Muscle is the costumer or the lyricist. His point was to object to critics who write something like "Joshua Logan forces Mary Martin into the most unflattering postures", saying one can be sure Miss Martin did nothing she did not bloody want to do. (This is NOT his example; I'm just making it up because I had eye surgery today; I'm fine, but I can't go reread the chapter at the moment.)

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 01:49 AM

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 2:32am

Excuse me intruding again---Hugh Jackman and Kristin Chenoweth--in your dreams. Physically he would never cast a Marian who was not a believable size 'match'.

A man like Jackman would fall for a more 'meatier' Marian. That clip of her was obviously years ago when she was more buff and before todays wardrobe choices.

Singers, a question. How difficult is it to sing the word 'heard'?

[jo]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 3:53am

GavestonPS said: "JayElle said: "Good to know Sweetlips. I thought the producer selected the cast. He seems to get his fingers into everything."

That's true in theory, but the theory only occasionally governs who gets the ultimate say. You might enjoy the chapter entitled "The Muscle" in William Goldman's essential book on Broadway in the mid-20th century, THE SEASON. (A couple of the chapters are out-of-date because the book was written before ticketing became computerized, for example; but most of it is still relevant fifty years after publication.)

The Muscle, as Goldman uses the term, is the party with the best track record and/or most forceful personality among the creative team. To paraphraseGoldman, The Muscle might be the star if the star is Ethel Merman or Mary Martin--UNLESS the director is Jerome Robbins (GYPSY) or Gower Champion (I DO! I DO!). The Muscle was definitely the producer if s/he was David Merrick (again, unless Champion was directing) or Hal Prince.

Goldman then goes on to caution us about productions where The Muscle is the costumer or the lyricist. His point was to object to critics who write something like "Joshua Logan forces Mary Martin into the most unflattering postures", saying one can be sure Miss Martin did nothing she did not bloody want to do. (This is NOT his example; I'm just making it up because I had eye surgery today; I'm fine, but I can't go reread the chapter at the moment.)"

If I recall right --

When TheBoyFromOz was in early rehearsals or pre-rehearsals, the Gershwin Theatre became available and an offer was given to that production the choice to transfer there from the smaller-sized Imperial.  They decided not to go ( instead it eventually went to Wicked) - who made the decision to stay at the Imperial? Not the producer ...or the director ...but Hugh Jackman! He thought the Imperial would suit him better in terms of the appropriateness to the show.

 

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 03:53 AM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 7:54am

^^^ I still can't read a book. But it occurs to me now that Goldman's example may have been Zero Mostel (a terror, in my experience), whom Goldman called "The Muscle" UNLESS Jerome Robbins was directing (as the latter did with FIDDLER and (uncredited) with FORUM).

I know that the 1976 pre-Broadway revival tour with Zero shut down for several weeks after its run in Miami Beach, so that Robbins could come in and get Zero under control. (The show at our theater in MB was well over three hours because Zero had crammed in so much extraneous schtick; it cost us a fortune in overtime.)

As one can see, the producer(s) didn't enter into the equation beyond coughing up the money to bring in Robbins. Zero did not take orders from the bosses.

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 07:54 AM

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 9:45am

Now and then I have to remind myself that Chenoweth is not just a personality, but a uniquely talented artist.

That clip is from The Music Man DVD. "Til There Was You" has been covered a thousand times -- iTunes gives up after 100 -- but even without the gorgeous photography and the small hand gestures that's still one of the best vocals.

Yes, elapsed time between youth and middle age goes by quickly and I don't think that vision could be recreated. And it does fall harder on women. Few care whether Jackman is 40 or 50.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 10:15am

Rudin is very much "the muscle" on all of his shows and films. Of course, Jackman will have casting approval and ideas, and I'm sure there's a great mutual respect/trust between Jackman, Rudin, Zaks, and Carlyle, but Rudin is known to walk from a project when he can't be "the muscle" (Groundhog Day).

That Gershwin story is puzzling, because Gersh=Nederlanders and Imperial=Shuberts, and it would be highly unusual to make a switch between theatre owners when one has already given you a theatre. Perhaps it was the Broadway (where La Boheme had just closed) vs the Imperial?

[jo]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 10:21am

I am pretty sure about that - it was the Gershwin that was available for consideration because  the theatre mentioned then was where Wicked eventually took residency.  Maybe at that time the TBFO production still had an option as to theatre choice?  That was in summer of 2003.

In his own words, Rudin has said that he is more of a control freak, but it is likely that Rudin and Jackman will have mutual trust and respect for each other  on the important decisions affecting the forthcoming revival of The Music Man.  Hugh has had some film producing experience himself ( sometimes as uncredited producer, for his solo Wolverine films and The Greatest Showman) so it is not as if he could not be on top of key issues involved in major projects. 

Also, it is not as if Jackman does not have other choices when he wants  to return to Broadway . More recently, he has mentioned that he was liking the many theatre material coming his way...and has said he was keen to do another book musical, without mentioning whether it would be new or a revival. The choice of The Music Man was actually a surprise to those who follow his career because he is known to like new material. He was last attached to a Schwartz musical under development then  ( "Houdini" )  but because of delays, he had to opt out of it due to film commitments.  Not sure if he was seriously interested in another Schwartz musical ( due for an English version) "Schikaneder" but he did see the show in Vienna to which he was invited... He will have a busy schedule as his 75-date music tour  ( spanning many countries in Europe, many cities in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) ends in September and he will segue into a Warner Bros film  project  (REMINISCENCE, a romantic sci-fi thriller) immediately in October. It is hoped that he will have time to film another movie after that and before he starts rehearsals for The Music Man. His choices straddle between film and stage projects.

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 10:21 AM

[JayElle]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 11:18am

Thanks for the theater education, GavestonPS, Jo, Sweetlips...especially the book recommendation.  I was always a movie musical fan and recognize the folks mentioned by GavestonPS.

I just started going to a lot of theater in last 2 years and often wondered how it all worked behind the stage.  I presumed Rudin controlled everything based on his patron plastic water-bottle ban at Front Page or his "no late seating so watch it in the lobby" policy from Carousel, Boys/Band, etc.

It makes sense Jackman could call his shots.  I did hear from theater workers that Midler had 2 rooms for dressing room and had them painted pink.  I guess the person with the most sway is the one who brings in the most $.

 

[jo]

Posted: 3/20/19 at 12:02pm

Jackman also formed some great friendships with some key Broadway people, especially the late Gerry Schoenfeld of the Shubert Organization and then President of the powerful Broadway League. He loved Hugh's performance in The Boy from Oz  and was said to walk over to the Imperial from his Shubert office a few times a week just to see Hugh in the finale. Hugh  was one of the speakers when a Shubert theatre was renamed the Schoenfeld and also wrote the foreword for the book that was published after his death. The night he passed on, Mr. Schoenfeld was at the premiere of Hugh's movie AUSTRALIA.  He would often call Hugh then to ask him to leave Hollywood and return to Broadway where he belonged.

Hugh has also been the top  fundraiser for BC/EFA and was given a second TONY partly for his humanitarian work for Broadway's favorite charity  ( and partly for the tremendous success of his one-man variety show BackOnBroadway which technically could not qualify for a regular TONY). He has also served as host to the TONYs 4 times. His shows have all returned profitably to investors.  He was never a prima donna and is known for being very well-liked. So, there are many reasons why  a producer like Scott Rudin would find him a very attractive draw in his stage projects.

Updated On: 3/20/19 at 12:02 PM

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 3/22/19 at 2:52am

I don't feel Rosie will be coming any where near this new production, no matter how good she was..

You never know when she will shoot herself in the foot again and she will be self promoting herself on those awful Voice shows[if allowed]. For her, it will become all about Rosie. Yes, I don't like her.

There must be thousands of less known[?] talented women ideal for the part or even on the level of Faith Prince who would be perfect in the role.

and yes, I love The Music Man.

[JayElle]

Posted: 3/22/19 at 11:04am

Sweetlips, re Rosie, "what did she do to shoot herself in foot" as you put it?

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 8:33am

It is Sutton!!!! Take my money, Rudin, just take it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvblbgknpDy/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=gf2grywonsiq

[supersam1026]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 8:33am

Looks like we have Marian.... Sutton Foster!! https://twitter.com/RealHughJackman/status/1110154411354009602

[Danielle49]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 8:43am

I would’ve never pictured her in this role but I AM INCREDIBLY STOKED NONETHELESS

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:01am

Take. All. My. MONEY.

[bisous3]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:07am

Sutton is in? SIGN ME UP

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:13am

Ya I will 100% use all my money in my wallet to see this!!! Ill worry for the next year and a half worrying about how to make the money back for this lol. Tickets go on sale in June right? 

[jo]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:17am

Sounds like an exciting pairing!  Triple-threat talent/ Looks/Age/Broadway gravitas

*Sutton worked with Hugh in the first workshop for The Greatest Showman where she sang the role of Charity, if I am not mistaken.

*I wonder if Warren Carlyle is already planning to add a more contemporary tone to the dance numbers, since both Hugh and Sutton are very good dancers ?

*I am keen to hear how she will handle the singing  for the role. Or will Marian's songs be transposed to suit her voice better?

But they do seem like an exciting lead team for the revival! 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:30am

This is going to be such a tough ticket to get. Will make getting Hamilton tickets look easy.

[schubox]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:37am

Mike Barrett said: "Ya I will 100% use all my money in my wallet to see this!!! Ill worry for the next year and a half worrying about how to make the money back for this lol. Tickets go on sale in June right?"

 

they're going to put tickets on sale 16 months early? 

 

[JayElle]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:46am

schubox asked " they're going to put tickets onsale 16 months early?"

what makes anyone think that


"

 

[JayElle]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:55am

tickets likely 700m in orch, but I wonder if current theater goers know who she is...6 years a long time

 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 9:55am

Group tickets on sale beginning Sunday, June 9, 2019

Single tickets on sale beginning Sunday, September 15, 2019

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 3/25/19 at 10:03am

schubox said: "Mike Barrett said: "Ya I will 100% use all my money in my wallet to see this!!! Ill worry for the next year and a half worrying about how to make the money back for this lol. Tickets go on sale in June right?"



they're going to put tickets onsale 16 months early?

"

I guess not. Group sales will be, but single tickets start September 2019, so a year out. Not too crazy Imo especially considering they're announcing the revival and some casting over a year and a half out from the first preview.