jo
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Post by jo on Aug 7, 2013 0:44:39 GMT -5
We all know how London fell in love with Hugh as Curly in OKLAHOMA! He even got a nod for an Olivier for the role, his first ever on the international front! And we also know that this was the stage performance that impressed people like XMEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner ( who kinda "forced" Bryan Singer to take a look at the permed-singer with a put-on midwest accent). It was also seen by Harvey Weinstein, which probably led to Hugh being directed for the first time by James Mangold, in a movie called Kate and Leopold (which was probably the greatest introduction to his female fanbase smiley-love029!). We are so blessed that mentor Trevor Nunn was able to film the stage production, albeit in one of London's sound stages! And that some producer decided to release the Region 2 DVD to a Region 1 format when Hugh came to Broadway for The Boy from Oz. But we know that many have set the path ahead of him in this landmark musical. Alfred Drake was the first Curly, Howard Keel starred with it in London, and Gordon McRae portrayed him on screen ( great musical, but a little boring for me!)... Then Hugh Jackman came along! cheer  >  He could not come to Broadway ( for one, because of the delays in the negotiations with AE, he had already found his way filming the role of the clawed mutant in Canada!) and the musical transferred to the Great White Way without him. There is a certain irony to this -- the American landmark musical, tranferring from across the pond to the great white way, after the lead was successfully portrayed by an Aussie and will now be replaced by an American 
So here are some clips of the performance of the man who played Curly on Broadway ( aka Raoul in Phantom, aka many roles on Broadway, aka doing relatively well as a film actor these days ) - Patrick Wilson!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdDmPgzQ9NY
Sorry for the poor quality of the video clip!It must have been my lucky star -- because I went to see the RNT OKLAHOMA! in London! But not because I had any idea of the lead, but because I was a great fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein! Of course I thought Hugh Jackman only belonged to the theatre, at that time giggle Jo |
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Post by jo on Aug 7, 2013 0:56:45 GMT -5
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Post by natalieavery on Aug 7, 2013 18:40:23 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Aug 7, 2013 20:28:45 GMT -5
Thanks - I have read about this but have never come across the clip! Fun  The older man who sang differently from the rest is John Raitt. After Alfred Drake originated the role of Curly, John also played the part in succeeding performances. But he is best known for originating the role of Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL and singing arguably the best male aria in musical theatre ( SOLILOQUY - "that" Soliloquy, not the one sang by Jean Valjean  )...but of course, also one of Hugh's best songs in his Back on Broadway stint. In case some find John's face very familiar, he was the white-haired guest who introduced the Carnegie Hall concert of CAROUSEL in 2002! Also, seeing John Lithgow, this brings back memories of meeting him at the stage door of the Imperial ( our Imperial!) when he played one of the leads in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Aug 8, 2013 8:52:49 GMT -5
Jo, your Lithgow mention reminds me of when I re-entered the Imperial for the first time since TBFO closed to see a preview perf of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. As the usher showed me to my seat, I asked her if she missed Hugh and TBFO. She sighed, made a sad face and said, "Oh, we all miss him so much!"
I commiserated.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Aug 23, 2013 20:41:21 GMT -5
Well, since the subject is OKLAHOMA! -- may I use it as an excuse to share this video clip from a long-ago duet in the annual Royal Variety Performance ( for the year 1997)  Singing the role of Laurey is Hugh fan Barbara Cook -- although she did play the role of Ado Annie when the play was on its initial stages of performances and tours. Her duet partner is my other favorite musical theatre star, Michael Ball. And the song they chose to dedicate to the royals probably in the audience ( Michael did address someone as "Your Majesty" and "Your Royal Highness") is -- "PEOPLE WILL SAY WE'RE IN LOVE" smiley-love029 www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRElVutZ70APS: Amazing how a year later, the show will be revived by the Royal National Theatre and the royals ( esp Princess Margaret) were said to have seen the show a number of times and had even met the cast backstage (including one Hugh Jackman ) Jo |
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Post by jo on Aug 24, 2013 20:59:04 GMT -5
Here's another version of PEOPLE WILL SAY WE'RE IN LOVE -- From the 1980 TONYs, featuring a revival of the classic musical. www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=562892Trevor Nunn certainly revolutionized this musical, judging from how the actors in the above clip were singing mostly, without too much emoting. Beautiful voices ...but no spark from the actors onstage at all! The Ball/Cook rendition departed also from this style and was quite enjoyable. Of course, the Jackman/Gabrielle interpretation is such a great acting/singing interpretation! Jo |
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Post by carouselkathy on Aug 24, 2013 21:21:42 GMT -5
Christine Andreas has a rather grating vibrato, in my opinion.
The RNT version with Hugh is still the best I've seen. It's directed and acted with a depth that's always made me think, sadly, that "Laurey" and "Curly" will one day share in the dust bowl tragedy like "Ma" & "Pa" Jobe in THE GRAPES OF WRATH. Their characterizations leave us with the hope that even after the hardships yet to come, Oklahoma will still be doin' fine. Thank you Trevor Nunn.
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alma
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Post by alma on Aug 24, 2013 23:21:11 GMT -5
Kathy, I feel the way you do. EVERYONE in that production is excellent, and Susan Stroman's choreography is great. Hats off to Trevor Nunn. I really like how Hugh sings much more with a "chest" voice, less nasal, than any other time I've heard him sing. And I believe in an interview included in the "extras" of the DVD (or was it some other interview?) Hugh mentions exactly what you're saying: that in twenty years those characters would be The Grapes of Wrath...
Alma
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Post by mamaleh on Aug 24, 2013 23:56:09 GMT -5
I saw that '79-'80 revival. Martin Vidnovic (Laura Benanti's father) made a surly, memorable Judd. Andreas was OK if quavery in voice (as she was in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL), and Joel Higgins (of the sitcom "Silver Spoons") by then had replaced Laurence Guittard as Curly. I thought Higgins was perfectly cast. Still, the standouts for me were Christine Ebersole as Ado Annie, Harry Groener as Will, and the above-mentioned Vidnovic.
I just wish I had seen Hugh's OK! live. Great on home video, sure, but there's nothing like Hugh live.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Aug 25, 2013 1:03:33 GMT -5
Re Grapes of Wrath --
Last month there was an article indicating that Steven Spielberg was near getting the rights from the Steinbeck estate for a remake of the film, based on the book which will soon celebrate its 75th year of release. Lately, there was another article indicating that Pullitzer winner Tracy Letts ( August: Osage County) was in talks for a new screenplay adaptation. Spielberg is mentioned as producer ( this is a Dreamworks project), although people are speculating that after exiting from two announced film projects, that he might be interested to direct this one.
Too bad Hugh might be considered too old for the Tom Joad role. Grapes of Wrath was one of 5 books he named as his favorites in a past Oprah magazine issue. I suspect that he got acquainted or reacquainted with the material when Trevor Nunn was preparing his cast for Oklahoma!. Trevor is known for delving into the historical and cultural background of the subject/theme of his projects, before he actually starts rehearsals. He did that with Les Miserables...and also did it for Oklahoma!.
Jo
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Post by Jamie on Aug 25, 2013 7:05:37 GMT -5
Re Grapes of Wrath -- Last month there was an article indicating that Steven Spielberg was near getting the rights from the Steinbeck estate for a remake of the film, based on the book which will soon celebrate its 75th year of release. Lately, there was another article indicating that Pullitzer winner Tracy Letts ( August: Osage County) was in talks for a new screenplay adaptation. Spielberg is mentioned as producer ( this is a Dreamworks project), although people are speculating that after exiting from two announced film projects, that he might be interested to direct this one. Too bad Hugh might be considered too old for the Tom Joad role. Grapes of Wrath was one of 5 books he named as his favorites in a past Oprah magazine issue. I suspect that he got acquainted or reacquainted with the material when Trevor Nunn was preparing his cast for Oklahoma!. Trevor is known for delving into the historical and cultural background of the subject/theme of his projects, before he actually starts rehearsals. He did that with Les Miserables...and also did it for Oklahoma!. Jo Jo, Looking at pictures from that era, I'm always struck by how much older than their ages the people looked. Given the hardships, diet, and deep poverty I guess that could be expected. When Hugh is skinny, he looks much younger than his mid 40s plus makeup wouldn't put it out of his range. Henry Fonda was 35. If Hugh wanted the role, I would hope the producers would give him a shot at it at least. |
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Post by jo on Aug 25, 2013 8:57:45 GMT -5
I hope you're right, Jamie -- that Hugh would be considered for this project!
Jo
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Post by carouselkathy on Aug 25, 2013 12:08:19 GMT -5
It all depends on how long it takes to get such a remake ready to shoot. Hugh might be more suited for the John Carradine role by that time!
However, I'm generally not in favor of remaking a classic.
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Post by Jamie on Aug 25, 2013 12:27:27 GMT -5
It all depends on how long it takes to get such a remake ready to shoot. Hugh might be more suited for the John Carradine role by that time! However, I'm generally not in favor of remaking a classic. I'm always suspicious when anyone takes on a classic as well. I would rather see a completely new film on the same era from a different point of view. O Brother Where Art Thou is totally different from Grapes of Wrath but you still have the feel of the Great Depression. |
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Post by jo on Oct 7, 2013 18:48:01 GMT -5
www.sys-con.com/node/2823798They also note that THE BOY FROM OZ opened on Broadway in the fall of 2003! Ten years ago! Great memories of both! smiley-love029 smiley-love067
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Post by jo on Nov 8, 2013 6:26:19 GMT -5
Fresh reminder :
Jo
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Post by carouselkathy on Nov 8, 2013 9:02:26 GMT -5
Just hearing about the typhoon, Jo. Hope all is OK with you.
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Post by jo on Nov 8, 2013 9:20:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the words of concern, Kathy I live in the northern and largest island in our archipelago where Metropolitan Manila is located. We were only on the fringe of the typhoon, but some heavy rains tonight. The path was in the central part of the country where some major and heavily-populated islands are located. We get hit with about 20-25 typhoons a year but this supertyphoon is supposed to be the most powerful that has hit us in history. We usually rate our typhoons on a scale of 1 -3. This is a very rare signal 4 typhoon! Some weather experts say it is one of the most powerful typhoons in recorded history of the world. The irony is that because it moved so fast, as it landed on one island after another ( 6 landfalls, it slows down as it lands on land but picks up speed as it gets back to sea), it did not bring too much rains ( compared to slow-moving typhoons) and so avoided the killer floods. But the devastation is frightening - heavy loss of property and infrastructure. Mini-tsunamis called storm surges, some flooding, mini-tornadoes and some smaller landslides! Fortunately, because we are disaster-prone, we have regional disaster management agencies which handle/coordinate evacuations ( in some cases, forced), rescue operations and relief distribution. The casualty rate seems low maybe because of the preventive measures, but it could also be because communications between and intra-island have been dealt an unbelievable blow. No power and not much means of communications for the belt of islands hit from east to west. We are sitting this night out until the typhoon exits the land masses and moves to the western seas...where it is headed to mainland Asia. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a much brighter day for us. Thanks again. Jo |
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Post by annetter on Nov 8, 2013 10:40:26 GMT -5
glad to hear that you are ok, Jo. Been thinking about you. Stay safe.
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Post by Jamie on Nov 8, 2013 11:08:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the words of concern, Kathy I live in the northern and largest island in our archipelago where Metropolitan Manila is located. We were only on the fringe of the typhoon, but some heavy rains tonight. The path was in the central part of the country where some major and heavily-populated islands are located. We get hit with about 20-25 typhoons a year but this supertyphoon is supposed to be the most powerful that has hit us in history. We usually rate our typhoons on a scale of 1 -3. This is a very rare signal 4 typhoon! Some weather experts say it is one of the most powerful typhoons in recorded history of the world. The irony is that because it moved so fast, as it landed on one island after another ( 6 landfalls, it slows down as it lands on land but picks up speed as it gets back to sea), it did not bring too much rains ( compared to slow-moving typhoons) and so avoided the killer floods. But the devastation is frightening - heavy loss of property and infrastructure. Mini-tsunamis called storm surges, some flooding, mini-tornadoes and some smaller landslides! Fortunately, because we are disaster-prone, we have regional disaster management agencies which handle/coordinate evacuations ( in some cases, forced), rescue operations and relief distribution. The casualty rate seems low maybe because of the preventive measures, but it could also be because communications between and intra-island have been dealt an unbelievable blow. No power and not much means of communications for the belt of islands hit from east to west. We are sitting this night out until the typhoon exits the land masses and moves to the western seas...where it is headed to mainland Asia. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a much brighter day for us. Thanks again. Jo Worried about you and it is good to know you are safe. The news reports here were definitely scary. |
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Post by jo on Nov 8, 2013 11:48:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Annette and Jamie!
It looks like that the typhoon ( called a storm when it is at the infancy stage, until it becomes the powerful typhoon) has now weakened considerably on its exit path out of the country, as typhoon signals/alerts have been downscaled, although those in its direct path are still bearing the top alert level (Signal 4).
Just learned from CNN that typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are basically the same kind of weather disturbances, with typhoons occuring in the Asia /Pacific, hurricanes in North America and cyclones in the Indian Ocean/Australia.
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on Nov 8, 2013 11:53:05 GMT -5
Should have gone to this page first, Jo. (I had private-messaged you earlier wishing you safety during the storm.) Glad to hear you are OK and that the storm is weakening. All the weather headlines about the storm were downright scary!
Ellen
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Post by jo on Nov 8, 2013 12:20:31 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone, for the kind concern!
I guess those in the direct path must have had a very traumatic time -- some cities ( those who were first hit, when the wind gusts reached over 300 kph) remain incommunicado and reports of utter devastation have been mentioned in media. I guess we will know the true picture in the days to come.
Jo
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alma
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Post by alma on Nov 8, 2013 22:04:38 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone, for the kind concern! I guess those in the direct path must have had a very traumatic time -- some cities ( those who were first hit, when the wind gusts reached over 300 kph) remain incommunicado and reports of utter devastation have been mentioned in media. I guess we will know the true picture in the days to come. Jo Jo, My heart goes out to all the people affected by this terrible typhoon. I'm glad you are safe. Take care. Hugs, Alma |
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