Total Oz trivia

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 10:48am

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.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 10:56am

Oh, Issa, you big tease! THAT 'Oz'! I thought you had some Meloni scoop.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 10:57am

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?

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 11:08am

Frankly, I think most of those people are there at the stagedoor for Jarrod (don't we just WISH)...well, they should be.

Songs come and go day by day. I'm not in America and I don't have tonight's songlist. Continental American went back in last night, nothing out.

[PigletH13]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 11:12am

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?

[jo]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 7:22am

IssaMe,

Thanks for the updates on OZ -- they are always much anticipated and appreciated

However the show goes with the critics, it seems that from reading comments on Hugh's performance - that he's headed for real stardom on Broadway.

But you have made earlier comments about Hugh being miscast in the role. From what I can gather from your posts, it seems you have been in touch with the show since the time of the workshops - why do you sound rather disappointed about Hugh's ability to play Peter Allen ? Just curious.

Do you know what the advance sale is now - when the show is just two weeks from opening?

Thanks.
Jo

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:11am

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 5:50pm

A friend of mine saw it last week & said Jackman is the whole show. He also said the sets were very minimal. He did enjoy it though. I saw 4 songs from "Legs Diamond" in the program . How many survive until opening night is not known ?

[jo]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 7:35pm

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

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 8:55pm

hey MASTER LCZ i totally agree about Meloni. Wish i could be in NYC when he does those "24-hour" play things, or was working out at the mixed gay/straight gym he personal-trained for, or attended the gay clubs he bounced for, or flirted with him over the bars he tended...how about starting a campaign he replace one of the ballplayer roles in TAKE ME OUT so i can ogle? actually he'd be not bad at all in Neal Huff's narrator role, and completely different but good. If he could sing i'd also like to see him in BOZ kissing either Hugh or Jarrod. i guess we'd want him in Hugh's role so he stripped on stage a lot for costume changes. Loved Hugh's ad-lib (?!?!!) to the balcony as the boy dancers surrounded him and stripped him to a dance-belt----"not the cheap seats now, eh boys?!?!" Jack-me-off-man was adorable in the flamboyant parts of the show. Whatever happened to the rumors of his flopping around in rehearsal, commando-style, and indications it was sizable?!?!? (sorry for the randy rant, you patrons of Thespis...)

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 6:51am

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.

[jo]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 9:14am

Any changes in the sets - it seems some people who have seen the previews have complained that the sets looked too minimal ? Or is this what the play calls for ?

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 2:16pm

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.

[jo]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 8:12pm

Creating a stage musical sounds a lot more exciting and challenging than filming a similar movie. The pressure to develop a show that is an artistic success and to complete it for Opening Night and within budgetary constraints - must be both a nightmare and a great reward.

At least in this show, it seems that the merits of the cast pose no problem - and may even carry the show, if not all things work out.

Hope the creative team are spot on -- for Opening Night!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 9:02pm

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....

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 10:07pm

I was by the stage door after Nine and it was mobbed. The cops were totally obnoxious especially one who was enjoying being a __ick!! I hope they act better at other places.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/5/03 at 1:39am

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.

[patpal]

Posted: 10/6/03 at 9:24pm

As I am new to this board I would Love to hear this story. Please share.

[patpal]

Posted: 10/6/03 at 9:31pm

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

[jo]

Posted: 10/6/03 at 10:57pm

It would be interesting to know the demographics of the THE BOY FROM OZ audience -- How much have really been disappointed as some of the posters here say they were vis-a-vis those who have enjoyed the show mainly ? How many are regular Broadway theatregoers ( or from out of town, including those from other lands)? How many are Hugh fans primarily ? Even after three weeks of some negative comments on theatre boards ( some here, but mainly on ATC) - the box office seems to be even getting stronger.

Will the show be critic-proof ? Of course, we still have to see the final product on 16 October... I also see a growing sentiment among a number of posters on ATC wishing that the problems be fixed before it opens and for the show to succeed. Not so during the early preview reactions.

Which word of mouth will work stronger - the people who were vastly entertained or those who came away disappointed? I wonder if the complaints about the book will still hold true if this is not based on a real-life story?


IssaMe -- any more updates on the show? Your info on the advance sales was a news scoop from this thread ( even beat Playbill.com's story)...


Jo


Updated On: 10/6/03 at 10:57 PM

[JaneGael]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:46am

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.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:34am

Maybe a partial answer, Jo.

One interesting development is that after matinees, the box office line is very long with people who have just seen the show buying more tickets for future shows (for themselves to see it again or for friends). That is an interesting twist on the "word of mouth" scenario.

Mucho new (and rewritten) Liza material goes in tomorrow.

At this point, the main draw is still Jackman...so demographics would favor his fan base. People are flying in to see the show from all over the country (and the world - including a planeload of Australians who worked on and invested in the original show there...they're flying in for the opening - boy, will they be surprised by what they see).

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 7:43am

Awwwwwwwwww SHUCKS, Tex! (blushing while batting eyes)

[jo]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 8:26am

Hi Jane - I've read your other post,too, and it is heartening to see how much you have enjoyed the show and have been amazed by Hugh's performance. I saw him in London in Oklahoma!( but forgot all about him - until I saw a DVD of the show) and am looking forward to seeing him again in musical theater before Thanksgiving.

IssaMe - thanks again for insights re the show and its box office showing. I am flying,too, from across the world - mainly for personal reasons, but certainly taking advantage of the trip to see the show a number of times

Jo

[IssaMe]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 9:47am

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.