Hugh and Sunset Blvd.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 6:39pm

HEAR HUGH JACKMAN SING THE MAIN TITLE OF SUNSET BLVD.
Look under the date 17 January 2005

http://www.jackmanslanding.com/standby/Sunset.mp3
Actual place of where the clip is...
From jackmanslanding.com

Updated On: 1/17/05 at 06:39 PM

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:01pm

O man. You have to SEE Hugh sing to appreciate him. He has crazy charisma and good looks, however his voice is very lacking and is not pleasing to the ear IMO.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:06pm

I have to put a damper on everything. Hugh doesn't have that great of an interpretation of that particular song. I am sorry

[JP]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:22pm

I like it...to me there is an edgy tone to it that comes from someone who maybe struggled to get to the top. Others have sung it beautifully, but the edge isn't there....

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:23pm

He was "ok" but I didn't like it all that much. When he held the high notes out it was painful to my ears. I hear he is supposed to be in the movie version.

[jo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:31pm

I guess we'll just have to see him portray Joe Gillis and hear him sing the song ( and other songs) on film.

Paging Andrew Lloyd Webber and Paramount Pictures!

[Timmerbo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:44pm

I didn't think it was his best song. I've noticed his diction when he sings has a tendancy to be very awkward... especially in his earlier stuff (ie Beauty and the Beast). He also seemed to be even more nasal sounding than he usually is. Granted, it was recorded not in the context of the show and it's a crappy bootleg, so I'll take it with a grain of salt. I still think he could sing the part brilliantly (well, as brilliantly as SB can be done).

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:46pm

I thought Alan Campbell did an amazing job on the US cast recording.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 8:03pm

I think that Hugh sounded good, and I wanted to let you guys hear it too.
I think I personally think that I like Michael Ball singing it the best... but Hugh sounds great too.

Updated On: 1/17/05 at 08:03 PM

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 8:10pm

I actually like everything about the American Cast Recording, except of course for Judy Kuhn. I still don't get her. Does anyone?

[Timmerbo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 8:15pm

I enjoy her on the Chess OBC.

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 8:26pm

O no, she's on that too! She's everywhere!

[Eileen2]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 8:41pm

It's good, but not his best. I think in the context of the full show, it would be much better. I'm a huge fan, it's just I've heard him do better.

[jo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 9:29pm

This was taken from a television program, not an interview, with a full orchestra, shown on Australian TV in 1997.

So, I guess we're hearing a young Hugh who at that time has only appeared on two musical theatre shows. If you listen to the RNT OKLAHOMA! ( 1998/1999) which was developed and rehearsed at the West End, you will note the change in his voice - fuller and richer. And if you ever heard his duet with Debra Byrne of Sondheim's No is Alone/Children Will Listen - there is such a beautiful quality to his singing.

I guess over the years, Hugh has developed his vocal abilities much further (e.g. Once Before I Go, All the Lives of Me, I'd Rather While I'm in Live, Tenterfield Saddler, etc.. from THE BOY FROM OZ)...If the film project ever materializes, I am looking forward to Hugh playing the role of Joe Gillis - he is just about the right age now ( more wordly-looking and more developed voice).

Re Michael Ball, who first sang the song on record and who was recently featured in the concert version last year - yes, he does sing the best version of the song ever! Unfortunately, he is not a film actor and probably has only a little chance of being considered for the role. Unless ALWebber takes the risk and does another "Gerald Butler"

Updated On: 1/17/05 at 09:29 PM

[FrontRowCenter]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 9:46pm

I think Hugh Jackman is a wonderful actor but I don't like his rendition of the SB theme at all. I prefer Kevin Anderson in the London cast recording opposite Patti Lupone. Just my humble opinion...

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 9:48pm

Thanks for posting the link, very interesting.

I love Hugh Jackman, but I think the role of Joe Gillis in Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD is a bit of a waste, and he is certainly overqualified for it.

Barnaby, regarding Judy Kuhn, she has an amazing voice, and she's a good actress. But she's one of the most uncoordinated performers I've ever seen on a stage -- it's not just that she can't dance (and believe me, she can't -- her "dancing" in that Laura Nyro musical at the Vineyard a couple of seasons ago was incredibly embarrassing), she can barely stand up convincingly on a stage.

She'd be a sensational Sunny von Bulow if someone decided to do a musical version of "Reversal of Fortune" -- she could play the heck out of a coma, and it would surely solve her movement problems.

To be fair, though, I can't imagine anyone singing the title song from RAGS as well as she does. The girl has definitely got pipes. Stage presence? Not so much.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 10:04pm

I agree with you, she does have a pretty voice... but I don't really like her as a Broadway person.

And jo, I think they would definitely chose Hugh over Michael Ball. [No offense to you, but I didn't like Gerard Butler in the Phantom, but that's my own personal opinion. I also didn't like Emmy either..]

I would love to see Hugh as Joe Gillis, I think it would be nice to see him in a musical movie again. I can't wait for TBFO DVD to come out, and for all those wonderful Disney movies. He is going to be a busy man for quite a while.

[jo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 4:27am

Kangaroo,

What I meant by doing a "Gerald Butler" is taking a relative unknown and casting him in one of the most sought after roles from musical theatre for the screen adaptation

I am not necessarily a fan of GB. Sorry, if I was misunderstood.

I think the most likely scenario, if the film project materializes, is the casting of Hugh, which would be an excellent choice. Remember the rumour that ALW has already signed him up ( and Anthony Hopkins) for the lead?

Jo

Updated On: 1/18/05 at 04:27 AM

[sipos]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:14am

I hope Hugh does it. I hope SB the movie happens.

I'm so afraid either it won't or Jude Law will be Joe Gillis or something.

[Lori]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:55am

Ummm...I really am excited about Hugh taking on this role in the movie version but I have to say I'm not impressed at all with this clip. It is a bit painful to listen to at certain points.

I like Alan Campbells interpretation the best of any of performances on the Cast Recordings. MIchael Ball's performance in Cork was the best I've heard (much "edgier" than his early recorded version).

But I think Hugh will be fantastic if the rumors turn out to be true.

[scotty]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:42am

Remember this was back at the start of his career. I never saw the production, but from what I heard of him, that sound clip certainly didn't do him justice. This was back when 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' was still on television. That was quite some time ago...

in 2005 i still think he'd be an Amazing joe!

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 11:47am

Thanks Jo, for explaining it. I hope that they do pull a "Gerard Butler", but if not... then I would want Hugh Jackman to play Joe Gillis. There have been rumors flying around for a while about Hugh and Sunset, so I guess we'll see in the future.

I hope that they aren't going to take random people from movies who can't sing and stick them in.
This just occured to me: do you guys think that because it is a Disney production, they are going to stick in all those wannaba singers from the Disney channel? Because if they do, I am going to be really pissed. None of them can sing, and I don't think it's fair that they would be allowed to have the honor of singing with Hugh Jackman... not the same level, but that Raven girl got to sing with JULIE ANDREWS!

[peggysawyer]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:47pm

yes I agree, he is amazing. You just need to see him live.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 3:08pm

I am going to be a spoiler here. I know Hugh does Xmen and a film with Meg Ryan and Van Helsing. But the only ones that turned a profit is X Men. He has yet to carry a picture on his own. If I am incorrect please let me know. Shouldn't he try to carry a film before that total responsiblity becomes his burden. He is not a movie star yet. Some day maybe. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 3:15pm

Here's a link to Hugh's page on Box Office Mojo - it lists all the movies he's done, what they have grossed (domestic only), and their opening weekend take. If you click on the name of the movie it gives you more info such as production and marketing costs and overall gross (including overseas). You can do this with any actor.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=hughjackman.htm