Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway

Yes folks, I'm bringing you another blog about another closed show. I'm hanging my head in shame as I do so, I promise. Some of you may know that Hugh Jackman is one of my favorite performers. There is just something about the way he fills up a pair of jeans on screen that makes me appreciate his huge talent. He has a smile that makes even Tom Cruise Jealous and abs that would make Ryan Gosling cry.

But seriously, he is also a hugely talented actor. Not many guys can BE wolverine, and Peter Allen. At the same time. It's been a little more than a year since Hugh Jackman graced the Broadway stage in a play called A Steady Rain (which I saw). It has been even longer (8 years) since Hugh Jackman did a musical.

There is many a talented musical theater performer who could not command the stage for two hours in their own one person show. Hugh Jackman isn't one of them. Though he isn't exactly alone (he is backed by a great onstage orchestra, and some very talented young ladies who sing and dance with and around him), Hugh Jackman commands the stage every moment that he is on it.

There is no song list in the playbill. The audience is met with a personal note from Hugh about the show which we are about to see. It explains how the show came about, and what prompted him to create it. We are also met with a list of artists of whose work Mr. Jackman will be interpreting that evening.

The show is filled with many highlights, including many a tear jerking moment and also many a jazz hands, toe tapping, eyes wide moment as well. My favorite moments included a fantastic homage to MGM style movie musicals in which Hugh Jackman not only sang but also tap danced, a spot on rendition of soliloquy from Carousel, a "Peter Allen" moment at the top of act II in which Hugh Jackman recreated some of his Tony award winning magic, and the best moment of all was towards the end of Act II where Hugh was joined on stage by a wonderful group of Australian Aboriginal singers, Didgeridoo players, drummers, and chanters.

Overall it was a spectacular night at the theater. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it sooner, though you wouldn't have been able to get a ticket anyhow. In fact, I didn't have even have a seat. I stood for the entire 2 hour show, and also waited for a half hour at the stage door to get Hugh Jackmans autograph and to faint at his feet.

My proudest moment, I have to say, was when my Husband trampled two middle aged ladies (who hadn't even seen the show) and got pointed at my Hugh Jackman and had his playbill signed. That's my boy!