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Post by jo on Feb 2, 2015 21:01:04 GMT -5
Speculations on Best Musical and Best Play from a contributor to Gold Derby -- www.goldderby.com/news/8387/tony-awards-tonys-curious-incident-jake-gyllenhaal-hugh-jackman-entertainment-13579086-story.htmlIt is the same guy ( named David Sheward) who did not like The River ( it was Tom O'Neill who asked about it, if I am not mistaken) towards the end -- because Tom mentioned that it was a huge hit with audiences ( commercial hit). Sheward mentioned again, quite disrespectfully, that its main attraction are Hugh Jackman's biceps smiley-rolleyes010...I can understand when a critic or an observer says he does not like the play itself ( in terms of issues of structure, plot development, dialogue, staging, acting) but to dismiss something by cynically equating it to Hugh's physical form...hmmm  Although he did say that Hugh might get Best Actor - I think he meant a Best Actor nomination. See - he could have said that the play itself is not critically successful but the acting performances are note-worthy! These discussions are towards the end. Jo |
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Post by jo on Feb 2, 2015 21:10:26 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Feb 3, 2015 1:52:09 GMT -5
Palms West Side will miss him as the play takes its final bow on February 8! In the meantime -- www.broadway.com/buzz/179430/broadway-grosses-a-frozen-river-is-still-a-river-hugh-jackman-led-drama-plays-full-capacity-during-snowstorm-juno/The show dipped to an all-time low of $ 484,000 but it was probably still above its weekly operating nut ( weekly expenses). Having alsready reached breakeven point, the producers were decided to fill the theatre, esp for those who couldn't afford the prices, by futher democratizing the pricing. This probably worked well with students and those who loved going to live theatre at practically close to movie theatre prices...and those who were in the city but with no choice and had not much to do ( such as tourists who had come to NYC). |
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Post by jo on Feb 3, 2015 22:27:32 GMT -5
Not about the play itself, which was in the end somewhat "SAD", because The Man seems destined to a solitary life!I did enjoy the show for its thought-provoking theme, staging, and performances, especially that of Hugh Jackman, so my reaction to the play would be "HAPPY" smiley-happy096But, otherwise -- re the coming finale : Sad because it is the end of the show...and a hiatus from Broadway  But Happy because he has a number of exciting new projects ahead  ( We were all very sad when TBFO closed...but look at what followed -- The Fountain, XMEN:The Last Stand, Flushed Away, Scoop, Happy Feet, and The Prestige -- all within 2006!) So, looking forward to the new Jackman projects smiley-hug006 ( Eddie the Eagle), wolverine ( third solo in the trilogy or maybe apocalypse?),  (Greatest Showman) and other film roles <cool>...and maybe even a return to Broadway in a musical in the future smiley-cool13 Jo
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Post by jo on Feb 4, 2015 20:59:20 GMT -5
Such great memories -- will you miss this place where theatre has never been so accessible?  |
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Post by jo on Feb 4, 2015 21:11:19 GMT -5
It looks like they have invited students from other theatre schools, too, around NYC --
"lstfi" is the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film School!
Per Wiki --
Jo
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Post by jo on Feb 5, 2015 8:55:18 GMT -5
A few curtain calls remaining --  |
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Post by hughmanity on Feb 5, 2015 19:56:24 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Feb 5, 2015 20:30:27 GMT -5
 If they were to give away the set props, which one would you take  Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Feb 5, 2015 22:16:38 GMT -5
His sketch pad, I think. With his sketches of Laura's reflection.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2015 19:05:29 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2015 19:07:50 GMT -5
The pleasure was ours, Hugh!  |
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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2015 20:33:57 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2015 20:47:50 GMT -5
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Post by ptflynn on Feb 8, 2015 22:08:23 GMT -5
A great day. Val I can't post pix here from my iPhone but feel free to go to my FB page and copy any that you like to this thread.
It was nice to see everyone as usual but a special shoutout to Lynette. I'm so glad you spotted Shep and I in the crowd.
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Post by jo on Feb 9, 2015 1:33:16 GMT -5
Fern,
If I may --
Thanks.
Jo
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Post by foxie on Feb 9, 2015 9:03:47 GMT -5
Looks like our boy was having a few tears!!Farewell Hugh see you soon!!
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Post by mamaleh on Feb 9, 2015 9:16:55 GMT -5
Fern--great getting together with you again. Nice pic of you, Shep and Hugh. Such an emotional final performance, wasn't it ? Watch out for slippery streets today.
Ellen
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Post by ptflynn on Feb 9, 2015 10:09:17 GMT -5
Thanks Jo for posting those.
Great visiting with you too Ellen.
FYI we were the last people out of the theater and I saw Hugh and Cush return to the stage, maybe taking a souvenir or two? Don't know. Just speculation.
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Post by annetter on Feb 9, 2015 10:14:31 GMT -5
Just wanted to share ( not brag) about my Hugh experience yesterday.
I know I am a lucky lady because I live in nyc and had the time to get to "The River" - quite often.
Yesterday after the final bows, Hugh announced to the audience that I had seen the play 72 times! He thanked me publicly - and again later at the stage door when my Hugh buddies & I got a group hug.
I've had a great 3 months and look forward to Hugh's next Broadway adventure.
He surely deserves his reputation of the nicest guy in show biz.
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Post by foxie on Feb 9, 2015 10:20:43 GMT -5
Wel Annette u better start saving for next years show!!!!!
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Post by jo on Feb 9, 2015 11:58:26 GMT -5
Annette -- You're a great fan...and friend!  |
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Post by jo on Feb 16, 2015 23:11:53 GMT -5
Great pictures from OPENING NIGHT -- Including this interesting photo of Hugh and Brian :  newzcard.com/event/gAkTD/ny-the-river-broadway-opening-night-2014-11-16*Hugh Jackman, of course! *Laura Donnelly *Cush Jumbo *Jessica Love *Kelly Warren *Sally Field *Ellen Burstyn *Ivanka Trump ( wearing the signature Ozalot print, we'd like to think ) *Anna Wintour *Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin *Donna Karan *Mariska Hargitay *And a few more I don't recognize...and some photos at the stagedoor! PS: There is a photo of the COMPANY casting usually found at the theatre. I never noticed it when I saw the show a number of times that there is mention of ANOTHER WOMAN as being portrayed by Jessica Love. Were there other performances where ANOTHER WOMAN was portrayed by Kelly Warren ( who was supposed to understudy Cush Jumbo)? Jo |
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Post by hemma on Oct 28, 2017 18:34:19 GMT -5
Not a surprising choice, considering HOUDINI hasn't worked out. A play with an 80 minute running time is challenging, yet less stressful. He gets to be at home with family in New York, and may have more time to consider other roles, both film and stage.
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Post by jo on Oct 28, 2017 19:16:54 GMT -5
HOUDINI was a different story altogether. It wasn't the challenge of the role that led him to give it up. It was that after waiting for the project to get completed ( if I remember correctly, he was attached to it for a number of years), his film commitments could no longer give way much longer. There were changes in the creative team which led to much delays. The first composer was Danny Elfman ( who is more known as a film composer) and there was another book writer. The book writer was replaced by Aaron Sorkin but who left after a short while ( he and Hugh were seen at the Rotunda Restaurant in San Francisco when Hugh was trying out Back on Broadway in April/May 2011) after Stephen Schwartz( Wicked) became the new composer. However it was taking a long time to get the musical score done ( although if I recall right, Hugh had already workshopped the first act or at least a substantial number of songs), and the delay bumped into his filming commitments. He had to back away from that project.
I think THE RIVER was NOT simply a convenient work to do ( because it was a short play and it was only for a limited engagement). Hugh is fascinated by drama ( what he majored in at WAAPA) and is equally impressed by author Jez Butterworth. Hugh also likes doing new work and this was an opportunity for him to do a play which he said spoke to him as soon as he and Deb read it together. It was quite an enigmatic play and it does take all of an actor's skill to get through the message of the play to the audience! I had to read the playscript a few times before I saw the play itself a number of times - and even there, it required deep concentration to see how much of a reflective play it was!
Did you ever see the long interview conducted under the auspices of The New York Times at a school in New York, with former theatre reporter Patrick Healy conducting the interview with Hugh and the play's director Ian Rickson?
Let me see if I can still find the link to that. It is one of his very best interviews on his work in the theatre!
JO
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