My Boy From Oz Review

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 5:41am

Ok, so I've noticed no Aussies have posted a review of the Arena version of The Boy From Oz here yet, so I guess I'll do it!
This production of BFO is more like the 1998 version than the Broadway production, but there are certainly elements of both. The roles of Judy and Liza are smaller than they were on Broadway, and there is a much greater importance placed on Marion (the amazing Colleen Hewett).
So the show starts, and ten seconds into the Overture, Hugh is spotted, flown in on a white grand piano from above the audience, dressed in a costume that can best be described as a mirror ball. His smile sparkles about as much as that costume, and straight away he has the audience in the palm of his hand. He opens the show with "Not the Boy Next Door", and the first fifteen minutes of the show are full of jokes, its more like seeing a Peter Allen concert.
Eventually the narrative kicks off, and we get the usual "awwws" when Young Peter appears. While the kid was definitley talented, the number in no way matched up to its Braodway counterpart.
As per the original Australian production, we have "Pretty Keen Teen" instead of "Love Crazy".
At this time, I feel the need to say how much I enjoyed the use of video screens. There were three screens, two on each side and one large screen behind the orchestra. The side screens were basically used for closeups and video coverage of the show, while the large screen was used for computer generated images which was fun.
Chrissie Amphlett returns to the role of Judy, which she created on the original Australian tour, and is certainly brilliant. A massive voice, and the right level of insecurity to make her Judy realistic.
Angela Toohey as Liza is just scary. She looks exactly like Liza, and performers her numbers beautifully. "Sure Thing Baby", a Fosse inspired number was just brilliant.
Act One was bought to a close with a reprise of "Not the Boy Next Door", during which he repeated his Tonys gag, running out into the audience to drag some lucky sod up onto a platform to dance with him. The sod just happened to be a small boy, who provided some great answers to Hugh's interrogation. A standing ovation for the end of the first Act.
Act Two opens with "Everything Old is New Again", with Peter and the Rockettes (girls AND guys), bringing down the house with a sensational opening number, Hugh's long legs again stopping the show.
We then dived straight back into the narrative. The video was used very well in "Love Don't Need a Reason", with Greg on one side of the stage, Peter on the other, but on the screen they stood singing to each other. Murray Bartlett had the entire audience in tears with "I Honestly Love You", delivered softly and beautifully.
Standing Ovation number two came with "I Still Call Australia Home", which can best be described as a small Olympic Opening Ceremony, with a large Australian flag being passed over the audience, I couldn't help but feel a shiver down my spine as Hugh belted out this show stopper. He then delivered some nice gags about Aussies in Hollywood ("Hugh Jackman? The one with the claws? Ooo, that leather does things to me...").
Colleen Hewett then stole the show with "Don't Cry Out Loud", one of the best performances of a song I think I've ever seen, not only did she sing it beautifully, but she acted the hell out of it, and got the ovation she deserved at the end of it.
We were then hit with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Or "I Go to Rio" I'm not too sure. Large bowls of fruit etc. paraded through the audience, the trio were dressed as cocktail glasses, and Hugh danced on a giant pair of bongos. Bizarre, but SO much fun. I did have to laugh at Hugh's rainbow coloured marraccas. After a MASSIVE standing ovation, Hugh returned to close the show with "Once Before I Go", which he delivered powerfully, and actually belted out an even higher note than usual at the end of the song, which absolutley blew me away, I wasn't prepared for it.
All in all, you could NOT walk out of the place without a smile on your face. I think it was the most fun I've ever had anywhere. Its silly, its camp, its escapist and I loved it. While Hugh is the absolute star of the show, each of the other principals gets a chance to shine, and they all do. There is no weak spot in this show, Every cast member is superb, and Hugh proves without a doubt why he is probably the world's best leading man of musical theatre.
I'll be going back this weekend to do it all again. It is certainly worth the money, and if the rumours are true, there may be a DVD of the show in the works.
Hope I didn't babble!
Cheers!
James.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 5:58am

Thanks for sharing your experience. I saw it on Broadway four times and loved it! I read some place that it may come back to NY for a limited run in a bigger place like Radio City Music Hall. I don't know if I like that idea or not since I prefer a more intimate theatrical experience. I managed to always sit in the 3rd or 4th row when I saw "Oz" and it was close to the stage.

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 6:05am

Hi Jim,
Well the intimacy thing was what I was worried about when I saw BFO at the Rod Laver Arena, which is built for tennis, but if it does to to Radio City, and they use the screens, somehow Hugh still manages to make it an intimate experience. As if he's performing just for you. The man is a genius.
James.

[kec]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 7:43am

Thanks, James... I've been reading a few reviews on other boards, and they're all great. Makes me very sorry I couldn't plan a trip to Australia for this.

I, too, saw it in New York, and loved it.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 7:54am

Thank you for this review I enjoyed reading it. I saw it twice on Broadway and it was an extremely special time. I can't imagine what it's like seeing it this way.

If you check my profile, you'll find a picture of myself with Hugh that was taken after the first time I saw it... He certainly deserved the Tony Award.

[jo]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 9:30am

Thanks for the review from an Aussie perspective.

I am not sure, but isn't Doxy also an Aussie? We shared some thoughts on the show on this previous thread --

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=906500&dt=39

You are absolutely right, no one seems to have left those arena venues without a grin or a wide smile on their faces - it was such an entertaining evening.

And yet, amidst the frenzy and spectacle, there are some quiet moments which leave you no doubt how much Hugh holds the audience in the palm of his hand. When he sat down at the top of a staircase leading down to the arena floor to sing the saga of Peter Allen ( Tenterfield Saddler), you could almost hear a pin drop as the crowd of 10,000 or so hushed their breaths to hear each note and each word. So beautifully sang!

Once Before I Go, it seems has now become Hugh Jackman's signature song! It drew a standing ovation on Broadway each time he sang it...it drew an equally rousing reception when I heard it as the finale in Sydney.

I had seen the show many times on Broadway, including the memorable closing show on September 12, 2004 - and I can honestly say that each production ( Broadway or Australian Arena )has me both equally enthralled. I can't seem to choose which one I find more memorable!

Jo
Updated On: 8/18/06 at 09:30 AM