THE BOY FROM OZ ... my take & CorC CD!

Well, I finally had a chance to see THE BOY FROM OZ last Thursday.

Surprised? Yeah ... I couldn't believe how bad the show itself was. I mean ... come on ... the sets are awful ... the songs are not really all that compelling ... the ensemble is mediocre and I even now wonder what they were looking for in the chorus when they were casting. It was kind of weird.

Of course, HUGH ... HUGH HUGH HUGH ... I don't think I have ever seen a performance at this caliber from a male performer. I was in shock ... in awe, is more like it. He was incredible and the charisma he emoted was infectious. He can sing (amazing amazing amazing), dance really very well and he has a brilliant stage presence. It was like he was running a marathon as soon as the curtain came up.

Did I mention a lot of the songs are boring ... But I did love ONCE BEFORE I GO, WHEN I GET MY NAME IN LIGHTS, ALL I WANTED WAS THE DREAM & SHE lOVES THE MUSIC. Songs that were like nails on a chalkboard ... I HONESTLY LOVE YOU, CONTINENTAL AMERICAN, DON'T CRY OUT LOUD (I love Beth dearly but felt it wasn't her song). I, strangely enough, though I GO TO RIO was out of place. It was a good finale piece, but just didn't do it for me in the end.

So I bought the cd at Virgin yesterday ... shoot me ... I'm a fool I know. But I love ONCE BEFORE I GO and those other few songs.

A few images that were laughable ... when Peter's father killed himself at the end of the show. Mr. Director, was there any other way to covey that his father committed suicide without using a cheap high school theatre trick in a scrim and projection. Ugh! I GO TO RIO ... I just thought the picture of Judy and Liza dancing on that piano staircase at the end of the show behind Peter was just hilarious. It was awkward feeling, ya know?

Isabel Keeting ... I know a few people that thought her performance was a slap in the face to musical theatre because they thought she was meerly mocking Judy. But I tended to side on the other way ... she was really very good and had such a Judy-like presence. How scary is it that she looks exactly like Judy ... SCARY!! When Hugh did QUIET PLEASE, THERE'S A LADY ON STAGE and Isabel came out as Judy ... that was really creepy to me in a ghostly sort of way because it was almost like Judy really came out and said "farewell" to everyone. W.I.L. did an amazing job costuming her, also.

Stephanie J. Block ... I thought she didn't really have a Liza-like presence. I didn't feel Liza in her at all. But I have to wonder if that's what she was going for ... because ya know, how can you totally emerse yourself in Liza, because there really is only one Liza. Her speaking voice was Lisa to a tee, but it was Stephanie singing. She sounded amazing, though, and I thought she was a great performer. SHE LOVES TO HEAR THE MUSIC was extremely concert-like and I loved how it was staged.

So do I suggest it? Well, I think it you ever had a fond affection at all for Hugh Jackman or like him in anything you've seen him in, then RUN RUN RUN RUN to the Imperial Theatre. He's a star and he's just so in control of this production. He is 90% of this show and he is 100% of why this show is entertaining and why I was not disappointed. I went to the stage door afterward just to get a glimpse of him ... and there he was ... just as charming off stage as on. He was great to everyone and really appreciated the affection. He's a great guy. I've heard that he is really one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Show: D, Hugh: A+

In other news ... the CAROLINE OR CHANGE cd is amazing. Buy it! Enough said!

Jo very well said. Peter's dying is so sad that when you see him do "I Go To Rio" it just brings you right up and fills you with delight. I hadn't thought about it being Peter in his afterlife state in heaven but yes, that works!!

I really liked the show. Hugh Jackman was great, but I can agree with you about the sets. They stunk. The best on was at the end with the piano staircase.

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What did everyone else think about this show?

I caught OZ on my second-to-last trip to NY, and... well, okay, Jackman, as you point out, is pretty amazing: a little over the top in some scenes, but I guess that's acceptable, considering who he's playing.

But there were so many dictorial missteps in this. Natch, I always look to the scenery first, and, as during THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, I sat there thinking, "Okay, what drugs were the design team using when they came up with *that*"? Some of the blocking just felt wrong from a visual standpoint -- and the order of the musical numbers seemed like a slightly wrong fit. I can't tell you how, but something just didn't seem right about the sequence, from a theatrical point of view.

I had a good time; it wasn't a complete waste of money. But I left feeling I'd watched something that went 80% of the way.

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I absolutely adored BFO (as did 100% of my friends). Yes, the show had flaws but I didn't care one bit. I'm seeing it again in two weeks and I can't wait. There are people who have seen the show over 100 times!! I'd venture to guess that a lot of the box office is from repeat visitors. My friend paid $450.00 for two seats (premium) yikes!!

The principals in The Boy From Oz are all amazingly talented- and criminally underused. Even Jackman himself is much more of an actor than the script allows him to reveal. The fact that the so-so score, direction, book, and sets go down pretty smoothly (for the most part) is a testament to just how good the cast members are. I sincerely hope they come back soon after September 12 with better parts.

And for heaven's sake someone write a good new musical for Jackman to carry. :)