The Boy From Oz Australian Arena Spectacular - Doxy's Review Now Up!- Page 2

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:44pm

Why did it close on Broadway?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 12:27am

Because Hugh Jackman's contract was up, and they couldn't find anyone with the same draw as Hugh, not without risking too much...

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:02am

But if it was making money at the box office, a smart producer wouldn't close the show.

I don't remember if it was doing well, was it?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:12am

It sold out for a year...

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:40am

Yes, it covered total costs and breakeven level in the last weeks. Michael Riedel reported that when he finally did a turnabout article on Hugh Jackman, whom he called Atlas for carrying the whole show on his shoulders for a whole year, with nary an absence.

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:40am

double post - my computer is temperamental today

Updated On: 8/12/06 at 01:40 AM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 2:40am

The way the producers saw it was quitting while they were ahead, I believe. They did toy with lots of big names, Ricky Martin was right up there, but it was all too risky, with no guarantee of the same standard of performance.

I think the producers were extremely wise to shut when they did...

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 3:01am

Ewan McGregor, Harry Connick ( he confirmed it in an interview) and even John Travolta ( who saw the show a number of times) were also names that had been mentioned as possible replacements.

But if you were at the Closing Performance, the public show of affection towards Hugh would have been almost impossible for a replacement to match. The Imperial went crazy when he sang ONCE BEFORE I GO.

[broadwaygal3]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:01am

Hi, Doxy and Hi, Jo (whom I met on Opening Night!) Jo, I don't have that much to add to your posts about TBFO in Oz, but I (as you know) also saw both versions on Broadway and in Sydney last week. Yes, the Broadway production was much more intimate and it was rewritten for American audiences who may not have known much about Peter Allen. This current Australian tour of the show
is much more like a tribute concert to Peter Allen, with biographical scenes interspersed between spectacular production numbers. Since it is for Oz audiences, I think it is assumed that the audience knows more about Peter, since he was such an icon there.

I loved both versions, and Hugh Jackman is as brilliant as ever!! If I could have stayed longer, I would have seen it a few more times!!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:07am

Hi bg3!

I wish I'd known there would be BWW people there, or I might have made it known I would be going. Mind you, I've been a bit of a BWW recluse for the last 6 month...

I should have thought about it though...of COURSE there would be BWW people there!

[art2]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:38am

Maybe Hugh got tired of the kissing that was a part of it.

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:54am

Hi BG3 --

It was lovely talking to you about the show in Sydney

I can't quite believe that was the third continent that I have seen Mr. Jackman perform in - Europe( Oklahoma! in London), America and Australia. And I don't even live in any of those - LOLOL.

But I am now keenly anticipating his movie THE FOUNTAIN ( and also THE PRESTIGE) as Darren Aronofsky couldn't say enough of how impressed he was with Hugh's acting.

Jo


Updated On: 8/12/06 at 07:54 AM

[broadwaygal3]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 2:48pm

Jo, I just want to add a couple of observations to your post listing the highlights of the Australian production-

The "OLDER WOMAN" number with Judy and Peter dressed as tramps
I think is an homage to the film "EASTER PARADE" where Judy
and Fred Astaire dressed as tramps in a vaudeville number "A
COUPLE OF SWELLS".

The "LEGS DIAMOND" rehearsal scene with Hugh in that great pinstriped suit evokes "GUYS AND DOLLS" and IMO, gives us a great preview of how Hugh would look as Sky Masterson! At one point in the scene, he even mimes rolling the dice! I loved it!

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:56pm

>>>The "LEGS DIAMOND" rehearsal scene with Hugh in that great pinstriped suit evokes "GUYS AND DOLLS" and IMO, gives us a great preview of how Hugh would look as Sky Masterson!<<<

Lol! I made the same observation on another message board. Now that I think of it, it has got to be the hat that he wears like Marlon Brando did in the movie...and the roll of the dice. Uncanny how long-ago memories do surface.

I wonder if and when he will be able to do GUYS AND DOLLS ( I heard it's part of his Disney deal)?

Jo

[jo]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:17pm

>>>The "OLDER WOMAN" number with Judy and Peter dressed as tramps
I think is an homage to the film "EASTER PARADE" where Judy
and Fred Astaire dressed as tramps in a vaudeville number "A
COUPLE OF SWELLS".<<<


That's an interesting insight, thanks.

Someone else ( on another forum) who is a longtime Peter and Judy fan reacted to my comments in that message board this way --

"Getting back to your review and the tramp suits...That tramp suit was Judy's signature in a way. She ended many a show dressed up in that costume doing some sort of comedic routine. (She and Liza did a routine both dressed the same way on her television show)-- but the best part is when she would remove the wig (only) and sometimes sitting on the edge of the stage in those tattered clothes and with that dirty face -- Judy would sing one of her amazing ballads (such as "Somewhere Over The Rainbow")from the depths of her heart and soul.

So no -- that scene was not out of place in the show. I can't think of a better way to convey how connected Peter and Judy were. She was a major force in his life, and he in hers."


This aspect of the Judy-Peter relationship wasn't covered too much in the Broadway version, but was more highlighted in the Australian production.

Jo