Post by jo on May 26, 2012 19:01:16 GMT -5
When I wrote my tribute/commentary last December, it was likely too much of an effusive tribute. I tend to write verbose and unabashedly admiring reviews of Hugh Jackman's live performances ( movies, too) but I looked at it again. Hmm...Hugh's performance is still as fresh and scintillating in my memory banks. It was a such an engaging personal show that he shared with us.
And it wasn't only me giving him accolades up to now. On June 10, he will be honored by the TONY Awards for his brilliant contribution to the theatre - as a performer ( which we all suspect is more because his show did not qualify for awards , by some technicality - i.e., it is not a book musical) for Back on Broadway and for his humanitarian efforts!
See?!!
Now I am overly excited to see how his dream role portrayal of of Jean Valjean will play out. It will be such a different role for him, compared to the easy and charming and eye-popping show of talent on Back on Broadway. But I am sure that the word "spectacular" will apply equally to both show of talent!
Oh, to be a Hugh Jackman fan in this wonderful and amazing year for him! It started with his debut shows in San Francisco/Toronto, his unexpected success in Real Steel, his Broadway show, filming his dream role in Les Miserables for release at the end of the year, and winding up going back to where it really started for him in terms of international stardom in the role of the badass mutant
- can't believe I have also become a fangirl!
Too much :o
Jo
And it wasn't only me giving him accolades up to now. On June 10, he will be honored by the TONY Awards for his brilliant contribution to the theatre - as a performer ( which we all suspect is more because his show did not qualify for awards , by some technicality - i.e., it is not a book musical) for Back on Broadway and for his humanitarian efforts!
Posted December 21, 2011 06:20 AM Hide Post
I happen to like New York!
I happen to like Broadway!
I happen to like Hugh J!
Since I first lived in and then revisited New York over the years, I have been in a constant New York state of mind! I admire the city's pace and focus, its "different" atittude, at how people's aspirations seem to be higher and made more achievable because one is in New York.
My love affair with Broadway has been as long-lived! From the days of Merrick to the now-era of singing Mormons and horse puppets, I have been enchanted with this piece of real estate on earth! I may live halfway across the world, but I am only a click away from Broadway message boards
And because Hugh has chosen to absorb the atmosphere of this great city, full-time, his show reflects the constant curiosity about life, the grip and focus of one who gives and expects only the best, the generosity of sharing one's natural gift with others, and the graciousness with which he shares his life aspirations with the world. New York does that, too, even if many people are always suspect of New York's attitude! If they can make it here...
This show is meant to come home on Broadway! San Francisco was only an attempt at gauging what can work. Toronto was meant to polish the first blueprint. New York was meant to consolidate, to bring it fully together as a full-fledged show, to bring it home on Broadway.
On Broadway, the lullaby beckons! On Broadway the show is meant to reach its final soundtrack!
Gone or almost faded away is the randomness and the sense of being disjointed which marked the first outing. The show has become more of a musical biopic of someone whose life has become intertwined with the music of theatre and the music of life. One forgets that Hugh Jackman is narrating his life in song and dance, one tends to think he is simply narrating someone else's story. This is because he focuses on how his gift of talent and his zest for life have created an unusual musical soundtrack. Almost too good to be true to be someone's simple bio-data notes.
His love of acting, his love of singing, his love of dancing -- they all come together -- whether he is welcoming us to the world of theatre in Oh What A Beautiful Mornin', or bemoaning the dilemma between a film role or a song-and-dance performance, or proclaiming the love of theatre and the love of movies in no uncertain terms, or putting all his performing gifts at work when he sings the song of Billy, or creating the poignant introduction to his Aussie roots. He is so unabashed about these values and aspirations that mean a lot to him, it seems that he is already writing and letting us into a glimpse of his autobiography -- in words, song, and dance, right before our eyes! How privileged can we be??
His singing is very spontaneous and clear-voiced, not the note-perfect technique of a trained tenor. His song takes us on a flight of imagination, not on a musical chart of technical proficiency. His dancing is fresh and joyous, not the step-perfect of a ballet master, as it takes us into an exuberant expression of the joy or the dilemma of life. His acting is precise, it brims with emotion but without the theatricality, it is the simple expression of one's humanity and joy of being alive and being able to show off one's joie de vivre! How I envy him this clear-eyed view of life!
The show is highly, superbly entertaining - his easy sense of humor and his prodigious stage talents make sure the audience is constantly tittering between laughter and applause! He loves the audience and they love him back! He shares his joy of performing to the nth degree ...and the audience rewards him with adoration and admiration! Hugh Jackman has come home once again!
I happen to love New York!
I happen to love Broadway!
I happen to love Hugh J!
I happen to like New York!
I happen to like Broadway!
I happen to like Hugh J!
Since I first lived in and then revisited New York over the years, I have been in a constant New York state of mind! I admire the city's pace and focus, its "different" atittude, at how people's aspirations seem to be higher and made more achievable because one is in New York.
My love affair with Broadway has been as long-lived! From the days of Merrick to the now-era of singing Mormons and horse puppets, I have been enchanted with this piece of real estate on earth! I may live halfway across the world, but I am only a click away from Broadway message boards
And because Hugh has chosen to absorb the atmosphere of this great city, full-time, his show reflects the constant curiosity about life, the grip and focus of one who gives and expects only the best, the generosity of sharing one's natural gift with others, and the graciousness with which he shares his life aspirations with the world. New York does that, too, even if many people are always suspect of New York's attitude! If they can make it here...
This show is meant to come home on Broadway! San Francisco was only an attempt at gauging what can work. Toronto was meant to polish the first blueprint. New York was meant to consolidate, to bring it fully together as a full-fledged show, to bring it home on Broadway.
On Broadway, the lullaby beckons! On Broadway the show is meant to reach its final soundtrack!
Gone or almost faded away is the randomness and the sense of being disjointed which marked the first outing. The show has become more of a musical biopic of someone whose life has become intertwined with the music of theatre and the music of life. One forgets that Hugh Jackman is narrating his life in song and dance, one tends to think he is simply narrating someone else's story. This is because he focuses on how his gift of talent and his zest for life have created an unusual musical soundtrack. Almost too good to be true to be someone's simple bio-data notes.
His love of acting, his love of singing, his love of dancing -- they all come together -- whether he is welcoming us to the world of theatre in Oh What A Beautiful Mornin', or bemoaning the dilemma between a film role or a song-and-dance performance, or proclaiming the love of theatre and the love of movies in no uncertain terms, or putting all his performing gifts at work when he sings the song of Billy, or creating the poignant introduction to his Aussie roots. He is so unabashed about these values and aspirations that mean a lot to him, it seems that he is already writing and letting us into a glimpse of his autobiography -- in words, song, and dance, right before our eyes! How privileged can we be??
His singing is very spontaneous and clear-voiced, not the note-perfect technique of a trained tenor. His song takes us on a flight of imagination, not on a musical chart of technical proficiency. His dancing is fresh and joyous, not the step-perfect of a ballet master, as it takes us into an exuberant expression of the joy or the dilemma of life. His acting is precise, it brims with emotion but without the theatricality, it is the simple expression of one's humanity and joy of being alive and being able to show off one's joie de vivre! How I envy him this clear-eyed view of life!
The show is highly, superbly entertaining - his easy sense of humor and his prodigious stage talents make sure the audience is constantly tittering between laughter and applause! He loves the audience and they love him back! He shares his joy of performing to the nth degree ...and the audience rewards him with adoration and admiration! Hugh Jackman has come home once again!
I happen to love New York!
I happen to love Broadway!
I happen to love Hugh J!
See?!!
Now I am overly excited to see how his dream role portrayal of of Jean Valjean will play out. It will be such a different role for him, compared to the easy and charming and eye-popping show of talent on Back on Broadway. But I am sure that the word "spectacular" will apply equally to both show of talent!
Oh, to be a Hugh Jackman fan in this wonderful and amazing year for him! It started with his debut shows in San Francisco/Toronto, his unexpected success in Real Steel, his Broadway show, filming his dream role in Les Miserables for release at the end of the year, and winding up going back to where it really started for him in terms of international stardom in the role of the badass mutant
- can't believe I have also become a fangirl!Too much :o
Jo
