Jackman As Houdini?

In the intro to the Playboy inteview of Hugh Jackman is the following: " He will likely next star on Broadway in Houdini , a high profile musical written by Spy magazine founder Kurt Andersen & scored by Danny Elfman".

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I guess he does now. He writes musical scores so why not. It sounds interesting.

Jackman could star in a show reading the phone book & it would succeed.

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The only other one I heard of was a London show done ages ago called "Houdini - Man Of Mystery".

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There was an article about this about a year ago on Playbill. I remember the title was basically Houdini musical aims for Broadway 2009, or something. And, I remember it saying that Danny was writing the music... So, a year later, I imagine the material is close to done and if Hugh is attached, then probably has done a table read or at least been given a script and score to look at.

I like Hugh Jackman, but my only problem with this casting is he isn't really the right look for Houdini... Houdini was a short 5'5" stocky (but built) western european looking man (he has quite a distinct ethnic and mysterious look). Hugh Jackman just won People's Sexiest Man Alive. He is 6'2" lean and muscular. Looks more Western European (Australian) rugged. He doesn't look like he would be Ehrich Weiss (Houdini's real name). But, as CATS said, I loved The Prestige and enjoyed his performance. Hopefully, they do touch Houdini's past before fame and his roots to Judaism and the culture he grew up in....

My ideal casting idea would probably be Raul Esparza.

Updated On: 11/25/08 at 02:28 PM

How about Michael Cerveris with a wig?

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I love the idea of Michael Cerveris! He would be amazing as Houdini!!

Q-Though he didn't look like Peter Allen, he looked a heck of a lot more like Peter Allen (especially regarding body type) than he does Houdini. Part of his magic was his use of short stature to fit into small places. 6'2" Hugh Jackman couldn't have fit into the milkcans, boxes, crates, etc...

Danny Elfman writes musicals?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107688/combined

I think Mike Cerveris would be the best bet to pull-off the role. Jackman's 6'2"-ish, Cerveris is 5'7"-ish. Houdini, the man, stood about 5'5" or something like that. Keep to the source, I say. It helps that he could pull-off the mystique aspect like nobody's business. This is me playing favorites, though.

Updated On: 11/22/08 at 09:44 PM

Elfman and Cirque!?
Just when I thought I couldn't get anymore excitement out of this thread

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Square Peg2-Thank you for your history lesson jk... I do know that Australia isn't in Eastern Europe. I said that Houdini was Eastern European (From Hungary, but has that Polish, Russian, German... look) vs. Jackman who is from Australia but has a more Western European look (England, Wales...) which makes sense because Australia was inhabited by the British and by the Western European civilization.

I put "Australia" in the paranthesis because I didn't want people to say he is But, he's Australian". I see the confusion but I was stating his Western European/Australian look. Hoping that makes sense...

Updated On: 11/25/08 at 11:36 PM

RE: Jackman

Aside from the ethnic thing, I can't see him carrying an Elfman score. Cerveris on the other hand, with all bias aside, I truly think he could deliver something wonderful - were he to be considered for the role.

Updated On: 11/23/08 at 12:08 AM

"I wonder if Hugh can pull off the score. Certainly not as well as Cerveris."

But who would sell more tickets?

Show BUSINESS, remember - show BUSINESS.

I don't know how many posters have seen photographs of the real Houdini, but it should be remembered that his acts were performed with as little as possible clothing. SOOOOO, my question is, artistic merits aside, who would you rather see naked, Hugh Jackman or Michael Cerveris?

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