Sept12,2024: 20thAnniversary of Closing Show-TheBoyFromOz

[jo]

JoAB
@joab46466753

HughJackman
@realhughjackman

Today, September 12, 2024 marks the 20th Anniversary of the closing show of The Boy From Oz!
From Wolverine to Peter Allen - you took the road less traveled...
and became Broadway's brightest star!

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

Copied from my account of that day - Sept 12, 2004! I lost the full report

When he sang ONCE BEFORE I GO at the closing show, it was particularly poignant!

Here's what I reminisced from that long-ago day ( printed on the defunct official TBFO forum) --

And so the last performance went too fast -- the crowd almost seemed to want to will it to be frozen in time.

But the show said Goodbye even earlier than expected. When Hugh, as Peter, sang Once Before I Go, he had unwittingly gone out of the Peter character. He became Hugh Jackman saying goodbye to Broadway. Never had lyrics meant for something else became so hauntingly appropriate for the occasion. With each word, Broadway's Golden Boy said Farewell to an incredible year on the Great White Way.

It was such a happy occasion that I didn't think I would cry. But as he sang the song with its particularly poignant and emotional words of farewell, my eyes started stinging...and my throad ached.



And then - curtain!

Rio was a real blast - we clapped, swayed in our seats, sang with the cast (Oops ) and tried to hold the moments from passing. But as Hugh eventually went down the staircase in his curtain call red shirt, we knew it was time to say Goodbye to THE BOY FROM OZ!

The confetti fell, other party trimmings flew into the air, and the roses fell on the stage. His little speech was almost drowned out as the crowd said their emotional farewells. ( I waved Goodbye - sob!).

So long, Hugh - come back soon and be Broadway's favorite son once again!

So long, Peter Allen - it was wonderful to know you!

[jo]

To all those who were there...and to those who have fond memories of the show but could not make it on Sept 12, 2004 --

HAPPY 20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!

The memories may fade a little...but our joy from that show will remain in our hearts for a long, long time!


Jo

[mamaleh]

That final performance was by far the most memorable last performance of any show I've ever seen. The send-off was worthy of HJ's status as the new, unrivaled King of Broadway that season. Thanks for the beautiful reminder, Jo.

Ellen