Total Oz trivia

There are now three mounted cops scheduled to be on duty at the stagedoor for Hugh vs. 2 cops for Antonio. There's a popularity indicator for you..."The Cop Count".

Many changes continue before the Aussie contingent arrives from Sydney to check it out. Radio City Rockette number restaged, new costumes, Continental American back in.

Big NY Times piece by Michael Gross upcoming on Sunday...not completely favorable.

A show in transition...but the daily wrap is TREMENDOUS at this point. Way over a million a week.

I don't really think its a matter of popularity...I really believe it is the size of the streets...where the crowd can stand and what other shows are on the same block. 46th street is a terribly thin block and the crowds really have no place to go except on top of each other b/c of Hugh's huge black SUV waiting for him. 48th street has a wider street and is just set up better in general.

If Continental American is back in, what is now out?

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I think you and Jarrod wish they were for him! LOL!

As for you not being in America...buddy...you have used that line before...and frankly I am sick of that s an excuse! I believe you should find out these things before you post! Good God! Don't you know I will ask questions by now??

LOL! Just kidding...where are you now? And where will you be on 10/16?

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1. Because the original - Todd McKenney - was more Peter than Peter himself.

Hugh Jackman is a spectacular performer and a box office draw. I don't deny that.

And the audiences go totally wild for him.

But to someone who worked with Peter, he simply doesn't recall Peter Allen to me in ANY way.

Whereas, Keating makes Judy come alive - and totally reminds you of her (although not totally vocally).


2. $10 million and selling almost $200,000 a day.

Thanks again, IssaMe.

I've read in an article from Australia that the part was first offered to Hugh for the Australian production ( at the time when he was flush with his success in musical theatre there) but he turned it down, as he said he wanted to work abroad and try something else ( which turned out to be another musical, OKLAHOMA!)...Although, ironically, if that hadn't happened we might not be seeing a commercially viable Broadway production of THE BOY FROM OZ at this time - with the kind of advance that you said.

I have the original cast album and Todd Mckenney sounds wonderful singing the songs of Peter Allen. Interestingly, too, Carole Bayer Sager who co-wrote many songs with Peter, says that Hugh is just perfect as Peter. At any rate, I am looking forward to seeing the show next month - several times

Jo

Updated On: 10/3/03 at 07:35 PM

Audiences still going wild for Jackman. Second act pretty well set at this point because it seems to work with the audience - particularly the end. Work still going on for first act. More new Liza material going in. Songs in and out over the next week.

for a designer like Wagner, i did feel the sets lacked. The COPA set is pretty basic and wasn't lit well to appear well-painted. i think Wagner usually can solve a show, he may be waiting for the script to get cohesion and then he will adapt looks to mirror the action. He can usually find a way to visually track the show, so i'm withholding judgement. i felt the same way about the clothes, that Long may be waiting until the order is really set. It seemed like some clothes (the naturalistic ones) were clashing in style or mimicking color, and i was guessing that in 10 of 12's sequences were changing faster than he could work his flowchart, so they wore the easiest thing to put in the libretto/score changes first. Designing during preview in an episodic show must be pure hell. i trust both these pros though that they will eventually solve it. The finale staircase is very wonderful, very Wagner.

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Tex: Chris worked as a personal trainer in a gay/straight gym? Do you mean that it is plausible that had I known of this many years ago, I could have had Chris as my very own personal trainer? One who would firmly but gently press is hands on by body to keep my body in line as I lifed weights with him smilingly hovering over me while I gazed into his crystaline blue eyes? Oh well, life sucks that way, huh?

Yes, I've heard of the srory of Mr. Hugh "I'm Not wearing Any Underwear Today" Jackman at the rehearsal. I understand smelling salts were passed around to all and sundry. Or maybe they were poppers....

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Master, i personally feel that Chris Melon-buns would be lucky to get to press his hands on U. Some men age fine like wine, and your vintage looks delicious.

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Sorry guys, didn't come up at the exact place I thought it would. The commando story.

Demographics checking in.

My husband and I are new in the area and this was our first Broadway production, but not our first play/musical as we have seen touring companies and summerstock many times. We did primarily go because we are fans of Hugh Jackman -- the man and the actor. Like Hugh and Deborra we are also in an older woman/younger man marriage and appreciate the good press he has given our slightly unusual type of relationship. But we also went because we heard the buzz that it was worth spending a couple of hundred dollars to go and see.

We were not disappointed in the show or in Hugh. He was fabulous on stage and just as grand as he graciously signed many autographs. There were no mounted police and no need for any. The fans were quiet, respectful and polite as they waited their turn. He recognized my very tall husband from the standing ovation and was very friendly, signing our program and the one from the tiny woman next to us that my husband handed to Hugh.

The only critique we had was that we didn't care for the minimal sets, but that was only in retrospect as the show kept us too busy to think about it. We both felt that the song Judy sings presented as a tribute could have been a showstopper if allowed to go on a bit longer. Pretty minor things all in all. We have walked out on bad plays, so it's not like we just accept any drivel as long as it's on stage. This is a good production and deserves good reviews.

Peace,
Jane W.

Awwwwwwwwww SHUCKS, Tex! (blushing while batting eyes)

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Concerning autographs and seeing people after the show, Hugh's policy is NO people (stars, friends, etc.) in the dressing room after the show (breaking the usual tradition).

Instead, he meets such guests on stage in the house after the show (a procedure similar to the one Stritch used).

Then, after that, he sees the fans outside and signs autographs, talks, etc.