The Boy From Oz Arena Production?
The Boy From Oz Arena Production?
Stand-by Joined: 6/25/06
The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#1
Posted: 3/7/07 at 4:46pmDid this Arena/Supersized version of The Boy From Oz in Austrailia with Hugh ever actually happen? Just wondering, I remember the announced the Cast and talked endlessly about how much of a Spectacle it was going to be, but I don't actually recall it ever occuring? Maybe I just wasn't paying attention.. Did anyone see it, and if so, was it worth it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
re: The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#2
Posted: 3/7/07 at 4:48pm
It did happen...sometime last year.
There was a big controvery with it because they didn't let Peter kiss his boyfriend in the show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
re: The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#2
Posted: 3/7/07 at 4:52pm
Here are TONS of photos from the dress reheasal!
Photo Coverage of the dress rehearsal -- courtesy BWW
re: The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#3
Posted: 3/7/07 at 6:46pm
Actually, there was no where near as much controversy about it as is suggested, in Australia, anyway. The thing was, it wasn't necessary because it was a different book; it wasn't as story-driven. Hardly anyone in Australia even cared, no one really noticed, it was rather all the Broadway fans who cracked up about it, not understanding the nature of the show and it's purpose. It was not so much a theatrical endeavour because of the nature of the Australian theatre scene, where shows are more likely unable to sustain themselves for even a month unless:
1. They have a star name to really push the show
2. The show has some familiarity about it
3. It is a mega spectacle
Unfortunetely, these are the BIG THREE deciding factors when it comes to the success of a show in Australia. It is a reality for producers, a harsh reality for performers (who are more than they should be out of proper work in the industry), and a reality for the Australian public in general.
It is not unusual for a show to be completely reformatted for the Australian market, and the 'Arena Tour' productions are becoming more and more prevalient, even with suggestions that Hairspray may now debut as one. The Arena Tour lends itself marvelously well to spectacle, and these days it is the biggest draw card for Australians to come to theatre. Anthony Warlow dressed as a pirate Johnny Depp complete with fireworks and flashing lights in Opera Australia's production of Pirates of Penzance, anyone? Well, that's what it has come to.
Another deciding factor will be the success of shows such as Phantom, Miss Saigon and Guys and Dolls this year, as well as Billy Elliot the next. They fail, and producers will be taking even less of a risk (even though they are taking none now). Shows like Wicked and Avenue Q don't stand a chance here unless these shows are highly successful, and a FANTASTIC marketing campaign behind them, otherwise they just won't last.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#4
Posted: 3/7/07 at 6:53pm
It certainly did!
I was at Opening Night in Sydney and a few other performances. Quite a stunner - while I loved the Broadway production, it did not prepare me for the dazzling and spectacular show we saw in Australia.
It was more like a concert ( less of the book but with spectacular production numbers and more of Hugh's commanding stage presence) as it was playing to crowds of 10,000 +. We all came out from the Sydney Entertainment Center with our faces glowing from such a wonderful evening 
Here are some excerpts from a recent Men's Vogue cover feature on Hugh --
"In a vast sports stadium in Melbourne, 12,000 people gathered in a mild August day to witness an unprecedented, jaw-dropping extravaganza. Three screens project the action to the crowds as Jackman descends from the heavens draped over a white piano, poised to enter record books as the only straight man to perform such a stunt while wearing a silver-sequinned bodysuit. He proceeds to regale his audience with 3 hours of superhumanly energic singing, dancing, piano playing, high- kicking, and raucous adlibbing. As Jackman sings his last note, the entire audience leaps up and roars in appreciation."
What was amazing was that he performed the show in such vast stadiums like the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and reached out to every member of the audience, even if one were seated at the very last row of the top tier. The large production numbers like EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN ( with a full lineup of glitzy Rockettes), I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME ( sheer emotions and pageantry!) and I GO TO RIO ( with all the characters from the carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Hugh dancing atop huge bongo drums!) were very well done. Yet the show also held some surprises - the poignant TENTERFIELD SADDLER sung by Hugh sitting down the stairs and where you can almost hear the pin drop in the huge arena... and a number ala LEGS DIAMOND, where he is dressed reminiscent of Marlon Brando's Sky Masterson but dancing with Fosse-like moves ( director and choreographer was Kenny Ortega).
The "kiss" did not belong to such an atmosphere - hence it wasn't in the show, but the number with Murray Barlett outshone the Jarrod Emick version for sheer tenderness and poignancy. Very beautifully sung and acted, too!
The show was a truly enjoyable experience!
Jo
Updated On: 3/7/07 at 06:53 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: The Boy From Oz Arena Production?#5
Posted: 3/7/07 at 7:01pm
>>>Anthony Warlow dressed as a pirate Johnny Depp complete with fireworks and flashing lights in Opera Australia's production of Pirates of Penzance, anyone? <<<
I saw that production, too - my introduction to the Sydney Opera House. I was also surprised by the Pirates of the Carribean type of characterization -- but the voices were excellent, especially coming from Anthony Warlow.
Videos
