Hugh Jackman in THE RIVER on Broadway

[jo]

I wonder what people ( especially if they have not read the book/script) are expecting of the play


Oops - what's Dali doing in the picture? Will he have a cameo at the CITS, too

Jo

[jo]

Despite the rehearsals for THE RIVER, Hugh will find time to present an award at an Australian film event in L.A. later this month --

www.3aw.com.au/blogs/donna-demaio-gossip-blog/hollywood-heavyweight-heads-to-australians-in-film-awards/20141014-3hy7n.html

Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman has just been announced as one of the presenters for the Australians in Film awards to be held in Los Angeles later this month...



In just its third year, it’s a mighty coup that the event has attracted the universally-liked Hugh Jackman to present an award.

[jo]

Sandy Kenyon ‏@sandykenyon7 · 2m2 minutes ago
Hugh Jackman = A TRUE gentleman and always accommodating. Wish they were all as nice as @realhughjackman!

http://instagram.com/p/uIqF8nGkz7

Sandy Kenyon ‏@sandykenyon7 · 4m4 minutes ago
I'm standing @realhughjackman and someone asks: Did you go to #NYCC? And he says, "nah going to NY…

http://instagram.com/p/uIp2zumkzl

Sandy Kenyon ‏@sandykenyon7 · 21m21 minutes ago
@realhughjackman back on Broadway but he's not singing and he is not dancing. He's The Man in "The River"

http://instagram.com/p/uIkWO0mk7S

Sandy Kenyon ‏@sandykenyon7 · 24m24 minutes ago
@realhughjackman and the cast of "The River" meet the press at a Broadway rehearsal hall.

http://instagram.com/p/uIkA8vmk6p

[jo]

Reposting the upload of the GMA interview from the TV Alerts section --



www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi32WdDEOdw



"the play is very smart, very beautiful...and, I guarantee, everyone will be able to relate to every character there."


"and at the end of the night, it is clear that nothing is as it seems!"


"and the most elusive catch of all ... is the truth.



EDIT: There are a few more seconds of Hugh on this upload --

abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/hugh-jackman-discusses-playing-type-26179460

[jo]

The cast and creatives --

http://instagram.com/p/uImOe9AXW_

Jez Butterworth, Cush Jumbo, Hugh Jackman, Laura Donnelly, and Ian Rickson


Other photos --


Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

And @theriverplay playwright, Jez Butterworth!

http://instagram.com/p/uIlwbvgXWc

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

Director of @theriverplay, Ian Rickson!

http://instagram.com/p/uIlj0DgXWK

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

Cush Jumbo! @theriverplay

http://instagram.com/p/uIldIogXV9

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

The all-important Laura Donnelly shoe shot. Notice the red sole, ladies!

http://instagram.com/p/uIlXC6AXVz

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

The lovely Laura Donnelly! #theriverplay

http://instagram.com/p/uIlPE1AXVo

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

Tony Winner and former Tony host @realhughjackman! #theriverplay

http://instagram.com/p/uIk715gXVR

Boneau/Bryan-Brown @bbbway · 1h 1 hour ago

Cush Jumbo, @realhughjackman and Laura Donnelly, stars of THE RIVER.

http://instagram.com/p/uIknO1gXU3

[mamaleh]

I wonder where those photos were taken. At GMA? CITS? BBB offices? Elsewhere?

I must admit that I get slightly annoyed when I see that the PR agency is Boneau/Bryan-Brown. Numerous years ago I (unsuccessfully) applied for a job at that theatrical PR firm. But I forgive them if they take nice shots of Hugh.

Ellen

[jo]

LOL - Ellen

BBB did not know what they lost when they did not consider you for the position!

Isn't theatrical publicity practically a monopoly of this outfit on Broadway?



Btw, looking more intently at the two lady co-stars of Hugh -- it seems that casting of the play for the two ladies has been an attempt, both in London and on Broadway, to ensure that they are two very different personas. In London, the role of The Woman was played by a blonde English actress ( Miranda Raison), a definite contrast to the Celtic beauty of Laura Donnelly. On Broadway, half-Nigerian/half English Cush Jumbo plays that role opposite Laura.

I think this is deliberate and has something to do with differentiating the two women physically...and deepens the mystery further on how The Man reacts to both of them?


Jo

[jo]

It looks like it was Meet the Press Day for the cast of THE RIVER. If this were a musical, there would have been some rehearsal glimpses for the press.


In addition to the tweets of Sandy Kenyon, here's another interview photo with another member of the media -

Frank DiLella ‏@fdilella · 4m4 minutes ago
Starting my day with this gent - @realhughjackman... He's back on Bway later this month in "The River".

http://instagram.com/p/uIv-20ilmh

[jo]

From Page Six --

Arriving for his GMA interview --

[jo]

Theatremania's coverage of the Meet the Press session for THE RIVER cast and creatives --


www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/hugh-jackman-the-river-photos_70244.html?cid=rssfeed

[jo]

Broadway.com seems to know a little more about the play, as it calls THE RIVER a chilling new drama!

www.broadway.com/buzz/177902/photos-meet-hugh-jackman-the-cast-of-the-chilling-new-drama-the-river/

Jez Butterworth’s spine-tingling new drama The River is rushing to Broadway, starring Tony winner Hugh Jackman, Laura Donnelly and Cush Jumbo. The cast, Butterworth and director Ian Rickson assembled for company photos at their New York City rehearsal space on October 14. Click for photos, then see them in The River beginning October 31 at Circle in the Square

And the lady in the photo is producer Sonia Friedman, who also developed and produced the show in London!

[mamaleh]

Oct 14, 2014 9:44:54 GMT -5 jo said:

LOL - Ellen

BBB did not know what they lost when they did not consider you for the position!

Isn't theatrical publicity practically a monopoly of this outfit on Broadway?



Btw, looking more intently at the two lady co-stars of Hugh -- it seems that casting of the play for the two ladies has been an attempt, both in London and on Broadway, to ensure that they are two very different personas. In London, the role of The Woman was played by a blonde English actress ( Miranda Raison), a definite contrast to the Celtic beauty of Laura Donnelly. On Broadway, half-Nigerian/half English Cush Jumbo plays that role opposite Laura.

I think this is deliberate and has something to do with differentiating the two women physically...and deepens the mystery further on how The Man reacts to both of them?


Jo

Thanks, Jo. Too bad you didn't toil in BBB's human resources department.

Yeah, they're certainly the biggie. But there's also Barlow-Hartman, Jeffrey Richards Associates and Richard Kornberg & Associates, to name a few.

I read that the press photoshoot took place in the rehearsal space at Circle in the Square. So they are rehearsing in their "home." Good.

Ellen

[jo]

Any news if they are already loading in the set of THE RIVER? Hmm...  I am curious as to how the riverbank will look like - not just the wooden benches but if it is really going to look like  part of the set?  Will the cabin be a little elevated?  And the riverbank constructed a little below?

I'm quite excited now -- I guess seeing all those pictures and hearing Hugh praise this new stage play have upped the excitement quotient a lot!!

I did not realize that there are only 16 days left to previews! I guess the fact that this is a transfer and would probably have less deviation from the original staging in London must have elevated their confidence level about their readiness! The theatre in the round (almost) staging is the major difference, other than of course two new cast members. But Hugh Jackman is the best host for Broadway for them - he knows the audiences and he has done both musical and dramatic theatre on Broadway! Of course I am also keenly anticipating what accent Hugh will be adapting for this English play.

Other theatre sites are also reporting the press meet --

www.playbill.com/news/article/photo-call-jackmans-back-in-town-meet-the-cast-of-jez-butterworths-the-river-starring-cush-jumbo-hugh-jackman-and-laura-donnelly-333167

www.broadwayworld.com/article/FREEZE-FRAME-Hugh-Jackmans-Back-on-Broadway-The-Cast-of-THE-RIVER-Meets-the-Press-20141014

[jo]

Too many cakes - he is going to get fat! LOL!

www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Coverage-EXTRA-Delivers-Hugh-Jackman-a-Birthday-Cupcake-20141014

The cast just met the press this morning - and television's EXTRA was on the scene, offering Jackman a birthday cupcake. Check out photos below!

[mamaleh]

Looks like red velvet. Not bad! (Well, he might need extra energy for the stage.)

Ellen

[jo]

SCOOP


Here's the set design --





From the Broadway.com photo gallery ( I ignored it because from the thumbnail I couldn't figure out what it was -LOL!)

ABOUT THIS PHOTO

Get a closer look at a model of The River set, designed by Ultz.

I'm guessing - but are those the ODD and EVEN ROW Riverbank seating? The thrust stage is obvious. It looks like that you may have to look up a little to see the actor's emoting, as the seating is a little below the stage. No backrest?

Jo

[jo]

BWW brings these individual interviews with their respective perspectives on the play. Hugh is the most articulate and has the greatest respect for the play and being able to bring it to Broadway audiences.



www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Travel-to-THE-RIVER-on-Broadway-with-Hugh-Jackman-More-20141014

[jo]

Another video interview --

7online.com/entertainment/hugh-jackman-returns-to-broadway-in-the-river/350261/

It's set in a fishing shack with just three characters, the production as small and intimate as some of his movies are big and bold.

He's one of the most famous stars in the world, a song and dance man equally at home as a superhero. So what's Hugh Jackman doing by "The River", with just a couple of other performers in one of the smallest theaters on Broadway?

"I think it fits the play. It is sort of new for me. Not since my drama school days where every space was small," Jackman said...

And yet the intimacy is blown up and fully exposed as some lucky riverbankers are going to be watching it up close!


Jo

[jo]

A slightly more panoramic view of the set model, as the thrust stage shows its extension to the center section of the theatre. One can also glimpse the design of the back of the thrust stage with some details ( the cabinetry and the stove)and probably a doorway. If you have read the play, this is important to the staging. I wonder how well-lighted this set will be ( I can also see hurricane lamps above the thrust stage)?

newzcard.com/card/c19Fs0/circle-in-the-square-theatre-stage-and-set-model-the-meet-greet-for-the-river-at-their-rehearsal-studio(c19Fs0)

Sorry, can't reproduce the photo image ( Can you someone please do it? Thanks).


Jo

[jo]

The same site provides a cornucopia of photos -- esp Hugh from every angle! Enjoy!

newzcard.com/event/h3HS0/ny-the-river-press-preview-2014-10-14

[jo]

He always looks good in a grey suit (dove or charcoal) --

[jo]

Insightful interview with the cast and creative by Broadway.com --

www.broadway.com/videos/155707/video-hugh-jackman-on-why-the-chilling-new-play-the-river-will-give-you-goosebumps/#play


Loved the reasons given by foremost Brit director Ian Rickson as to why he and Jez chose Hugh for the role!

Totally agree!!


Jo

[jo]

According to the Official Site - RIVERBANK SEATS are SOLD OUT!

www.theriveronbroadway.com/

[jo]

Also --

$35 WEEK-OF SEATS

"Access Seats" for the week's performances are available every Monday. Available beginning Oct. 27. MORE INFO

$35 DAY-OF SEATS

"Access Seats" for the day's performance(s) are available at 10AM. Available beginning Oct. 31. MORE INFO

For Regular and Premium seats --

BEST AVAILABILITY IN JANUARY

[jo]

Video interview with ACCESS HOLLYWOOD --

www.accesshollywood.com/the-river-hugh-jackman-on-the-pressures-of-a-new-play_video_2415937

Expounding on whether a new work creates more pressure -- Hugh has always been more open to this kind of challenge. It is not just that is new work but it is a different kind of new work, even if the playwright's other work(s) have already been well-received.

In a sense, while this is a London transfer and has a template ready, the play is being brought to an entirely new audience whose demographics may or may not be in tune with this kind of stage drama ( although the comparisons with British playwrights and directors like Pinter and Hitchcock may be a good sign since these two have been accepted by American audiences, although maybe more of Hitchcock for the mainstream). That is a real challenge in itself. Plus it is a different actor who is interpreting the role, in this case someone who luckily is both a stage thespian and a fine film actor.

Personally, while the medium is live theatre, I wonder if the storyline and the characterizations also work well if this were a cinematic creation?


Jo