The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?- Page 3
The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
broadwaygal3
Chorus Member Joined: 11/17/04
#50re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/3/07 at 1:07pm
Jo - Congrats on having the longest post - LOL!
Since Jo pretty much covered it all, all I can add is that
I saw TBFO 14 times on Broadway and Hugh's performance was the best I have ever seen! And I am an avid theatregoer, going to Broadway shows for almost 40 years (yes, I'm old! LOL)It was one of the most joyous experiences I've ever had!
I also went to Australia to see the arena production (4 times!)
and I was there with Jo on Opening Night. It was amazing, even
better than the broadway production. It was so wonderful to see the show on a larger scale, where the staging, costumes, and chorus were so much bigger than on Broadway. it was incredible!
And I felt privledged to be there!
Cheryl
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#51re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/3/07 at 8:04pm
Cheryl,
One of the most amazing things in the arena production was that I almost felt Australian ( and, I suppose, so did many of the non-Aussies in that crowd 
)when the sentimental I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME dazzled the crowd.
But the most poignant moments were in the number which surprisingly, for all the dazzle and spectacle which characterized the arena show, had Hugh simply sitting down on the staircase and singing very tenderly of the life of the TENTERFIELD SADDLER. You could almost hear a pin drop - in the huge Sydney Entertainment Center. I think the Broadway crowds missed that very wonderful moment - as it was taken out during the previews.
And I do not know if there was ever a more spectacular entrance, even on Broadway ( Cheryl, you tell me - as you have been a Broadway fanatic for so long 
). It was Hugh sitting atop a piano in a dazzling fully-sequinned suit, high up in the ceiling of the entertainment center ( I wonder how his insurance company and his film studios allowed that ) and descending from that height of about 4-5 stories to the accompaniment of NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR. What a sight!
Jo
philmck
Swing Joined: 3/27/07
#52re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/3/07 at 11:03pmOoops!!! I didn't pay enough attention to the Tonys that year -- I thought Stephanie got the nom!!! I can't tell you how much better I feel that she didn't... Kinda made my night...
#53re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/3/07 at 11:09pm
Saw it 28 times in one year, mostly from first row. Yeah, it was horrible - NOT!
Ken & Lyn, 2 Ozalots
broadwaygal3
Chorus Member Joined: 11/17/04
#54re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/4/07 at 12:02amYes, Jo, I agree! In the arena production, it was the most spectacular entrance I have ever seen! now, if only they would come out with a DVD of that production!
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#55re: The Boy From Oz - Was it THAT bad?
Posted: 4/4/07 at 12:59am
If you had been at the Closing show, you would have been awestruck with Stephanie! She almost stole the show from Hugh when she performed SHE LOVES TO HEAR THE MUSIC. The stage was practically vibrating with her energy and her voice made the atmosphere so exciting and so resonant of the big Liza moments. The standing ovation was so long, it practically stopped the show!
Updated On: 4/4/07 at 12:59 AM
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