I wonder how musical theatre actors like Neil and Ramin could have coped with the grueling morning till evening/midnight singing and acting during the filming of Les Miserables? Like 28 takes that Russell Crowe had to endure to get his STARS just right!
Ramin is supposed to have a regular rest day during the week, for "vocal rest"! Did Colm do the same thing?
I am reposting this from the thread "Hugh as a Theatre Afficionado", as speculations as to what he will do for his upcoming hosting of the TONYs start to be talked about.
I wonder if he is squeezing in as many shows as he can, not only to feel truly knowledgeable when he annotates them during the TONYs, but is he working with a writing team now to put together his own special numbers for the awards show? Something similar to what he did for the Oscars with a great team ( they won an EMMY for the job!) in 2009?
Will he have a break-the-fourth-wall contest with Hedwig (spit! spit!) or lift weights with Ramin to show off the brawnier Valjean, or dance like how Warren C of After Midnight taught him in Back on Broadway... or be more than a trifecta character like Jefferson Mays ( who won a TONY for a play, also with multiple personalities, when Hugh won his TBFO Tony)...or sing with Idina, Sutton, Kelli. He can't sing with old friend Audra as she is not nominated for a musical - but who cares if Audra's nomination is not for a musical role - they sounded romantic together in the Carousel concert.
A long time ago, when Hugh was signed up for TONY hosting in 2004 (year of TBFO competing at the TONYs) -- we speculated on the old TBFO forum that it would be a great idea if he danced with the Rockettes, using the Bicoastal number. He did dance with the Rockettes, but used "Not The Boy Next Door" for the Bicoastal number
Ahhh...the possibilities smiley-cool13
LOL - I was a little miffed at some comments that suggest that Hugh has his work really cut out for him because he is coming after NPH as TONYs host. Check out ATC. As if he were some last-minute replacement or an amateur doing this kind of entertaining smiley-rolleyes010
I figure let Harris' crazed drama-queen fanboys have their fantasies. They don't want to be confused with the facts, anyway, among which is that for the three consecutive years Hugh hosted he lifted the ratings and received mostly ecstatic reviews. Also, his filming schedule precluded his accepting hosting chores. I hope Hugh's writers give him powerhouse material that he can play to the max and set the record straight about who's the real classy Host Extraordinaire with staying power and broader appeal.
Jo, I know you weren't thrilled with Steven Pasquale's voice, but I just thought I'd share another opinion with you: Steve Suskin's, he of Playbill.com, in reviewing the BRIDGES OCR. He says in part: "The final two songs take place years after the pair's four days together. Robert sums up his life with "It All Fades Away But You," yet another absolute stunner. (When Pasquale sings these songs in the theatre, the notes and the words and his voice cut through you in a way we haven't much experienced since the days of Drake, Raitt and Kiley.)"
That was some "wow" quote. I realize there's no absolute bad/good, right/wrong; that it's just someone's opinion--but it's one I tend to agree with, even if I heard only Richard Kiley in person out of those three.
There is no question that Steven Pasquale has a beautiful singing voice, in the tradition of the great legit stage voices of the past. I guess it was the "emotive" quality that I sort of wished were more apparent in his delivery ( the quality with which Richard Kiley hit me in the past -- and Richard's voice was not the most beautiful in comparison to others like Robert Goulet -- I've listened to Alfred Drake and John Raitt but only in recordings -- it was just that I could feel the angst and the the joy and the inspiration in Richard's singing!). I think it is the acting quality of the song delivery that hits me most everytime!
Just like the three tenors - I was lucky to have seen Pavarotti and Carreras in concert here in Manila. Pavarotti was a joy to listen to ( it was the human warmth) while Carreras ( while also possessing quite a voice) did not ring as true with me.
Too bad that Steven was ignored for the TONY nods -- that would have encouraged him to come back for more Broadway rather than other mediums! Steven and NPH singing - no comparison!
Btw, I happened to find a clip of a 1978 performance of Richard Burton singing "Camelot" -- this was from a show, probably on TV, and happened 18 years after he played the role with Julie and Robert. I was quite emotionally affected by such a delivery -- his face was almost bland in its expression except for the sadness and sense of foreboding in the eyes, but his voice rang clear and evoked such a vision of a happy but doomed land...and most of all, sadness, especially when he sang about " that fleeting wisp of glory".
Maybe it is just a quirk with me ...Camelot, Man of La Mancha, and Les Miserables happen to be my three favorite musicals. It looks like I like them with heroic themes ...A real fan of the book musical, especially with a period piece atmosphere
A bit of Tony trivia...Lots of interesting tidbits but I was annoyed that in the most times hosting section they didn't even mention that this would be Hugh's 4th time also This is the offending section:
The Hostess with the Mostess Angela Lansbury has hosted or co-hosted more Tony telecasts than any other individual, with five telecasts (1968, 1971, 1987, 1988, and 1989). In second place, with four telecasts, is Neil Patrick Harris (2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013).
To no one's surprise, N.P. Harris took the Drama League's Distinguished Performance of the Year Award yesterday, the one Hugh won in 2004. Since the League feted Harris at its gala a few months ago, I figure the DP award was a done deal at the time, without its members ever having seen a HEDWIG performance. I just hope the Tony voters lean more to Jefferson Mays, who reportedly had it in the bag before the Harris hoopla.
Hello, I'm not new here-used to frequent Ozalots Board but had to create a new account here.
Not sure if this is prohibited but I have an extra pair of tickets to the TONY and I want to sell at cost. My daughter got me a better seat. Please email me at chari910@yahoo.com
Again, I apologize if I broke any rules. I am not looking to make any profit on this.
Hello, I'm not new here-used to frequent Ozalots Board but had to create a new account here.
Not sure if this is prohibited but I have an extra pair of tickets to the TONY and I want to sell at cost. My daughter got me a better seat.
Again, I apologize if I broke any rules. I am not looking to make any profit on this.
Thanks,
Char
This is not a problem, Char, though I do not advise posting your "real" email address here, or on any site with public access. We have far, far more "strangers" viewing this Forum than members. I would suggest you request that people PM you, and then exchange email addresses. We've done a pretty good job of keeping Trolls at bay but you never know when someone might use your email address to sign up for "spam" - just for fun.
You can be notified immediately of new PMs by following the instructions in an older post in the "General" Category (click here). It's actually about Bookmark Updates, but if you look at the illustration "when you receive a Personal Message" is the next thing on the list.
Thanks for your offer. As long as you are legit, and not "scalping" tickets, there is no problem with your post. Welcome to our group. We hope you join in on some of the discussions. . . and please share your experience at The Tonys.
What a contradiction -- a heavily-bearded-soon-to-be-film-pirate, now heavily promoting the time-travelling ( even world-travelling) mutant movie, dancing like he has been taught by Fred or Gene ( probably by Warren ), and savoring the joy of it all! Dancing feet smiley-bounce016
What a contradiction -- a heavily-bearded-soon-to-be-film-pirate, now heavily promoting the time-travelling ( even world-travelling) mutant movie, dancing like he has been taught by Fred or Gene ( probably by Warren ), and savoring the joy of it all! Dancing feet smiley-bounce016
You're truly one Broadway Baby, Hugh Jackman
Can't wait to see the coverage ( I hope!)
Jo
You beat me Jo LOL! Since I was coming to post the video I'll do it anyway! I love it so! Can't wait to see him rock Radio City...only the big rooms for our Hugh LOL!!!
Hugh says that he is an actor who fell into singing -- but I think he really loves his dancing
Maybe because he is also sport-mad and has fallen into superhero/action movies -- which are both kind of related to being a great dancer, with the use of the body for artistic expression.
How on earth can anyone that muscular move so lithely? Of course he's had some training, but that kind of ease of movement has to come naturally - yet another gift that this man has been blessed with.
I think Hugh's dancing skill is also a product of his extreme athleticism. We know that he has been involved with many types of sports. Someone once described his dancing as the result of his athletic grace...and not the balletic grace one sometimes associates with some of musical theatre dancers. Also, his experience with various fight choreography for action movies must have increased the agility and speed with which he can move his body. The athletic grace suits him well, as it actually adds to his manly charm.
Hope any future movie musical project will include both singing and dancing talents!
I think Hugh's dancing skill is also a product of his extreme athleticism. We know that he has been involved with many types of sports. Someone once described his dancing as the result of his athletic grace...and not the balletic grace one sometimes associates with some of musical theatre dancers. Also, his experience with various fight choreography for action movies must have increased the agility and speed with which he can move his body. The athletic grace suits him well, as it actually adds to his manly charm.
Hope any future movie musical project will include both singing and dancing talents!
Jo
Gene Kelly made a whole career out of just this type of "athletic" dancing as opposed to Astaire's more graceful style. Loved the Omnibus show where Kelly emphasized the relationship of sports to dancing.
According to Broadway.com, it was Warren Carlyle ( who first worked with Hugh in Oklahoma! as another cast member and then in Back on Broadway as show director) who choreographed the dance routine --
The Wolverine star ditched his claws for some sensible tap shoes and shared on Instagram a quick peek at rehearsals for a tap routine choreographed by Warren Carlyle (nominated this year for directing and choreographing After Midnight).
Since After Midnight is a celebration of dance, I wonder if Hugh is focusing on each of the Best Musical/Best Show Nominees for his Opening Number ( ala Oscars 2009)?
Since After Midnight is a celebration of dance, I wonder if Hugh is focusing on each of the Best Musical/Best Show Nominees for his Opening Number ( ala Oscars 2009)?
Jo[/quote]
I sure hope so, Jo! And I hope we see A LOT of the host, including a fantastic and show-stopping opening number...
Gene Kelly made a whole career out of just this type of "athletic" dancing as opposed to Astaire's more graceful style. Loved the Omnibus show where Kelly emphasized the relationship of sports to dancing.
Wow, great video Jamie! Thanks for sharing. Sugar Ray Leonard is the biggest surprise and reconfirms the notion that dancers & athletes possess similar skills and grace. Leave it to Gene to bring it to the masses!! Hugh always reminded me of him in so many ways.
Gene or Fred must be Hugh's screen demigods when it comes to dancing. Hugh may be more of an athletic type of dancer but I have loved how he danced the waltz in Kate and Leopold ( especially because he can be so graceful despite his height...or is leading a waltz best for tall men?) and how he danced the dream ballet with Josefina Gabrielle in Oklahoma!
I wonder if a biopic of either of these men ever comes up as a Hollywood project, if Hugh would be interested to do it? Or even a remake of their most iconic ( dancing) roles?
Gene or Fred must be Hugh's screen demigods when it comes to dancing. Hugh may be more of an athletic type of dancer but I have loved how he danced the waltz in Kate and Leopold ( especially because he can be so graceful despite his height...or is leading a waltz best for tall men?) and how he danced the dream ballet with Josefina Gabrielle in Oklahoma!
I wonder if a biopic of either of these men ever comes up as a Hollywood project, if Hugh would be interested to do it? Or even a remake of their most iconic ( dancing) roles?
Jo
I would love to see an overall bio of Kelly not just a musical. There was so much to him and Hugh still isn't too old as Kelly was 42 when filming An American In Paris. Kelly was ardently Anti-Communist but equally defending his first wife during the height of the cold war despite a later divorce when she was accused of being a Communist. A Roman Catholic who ended up an agnostic. A man of stirling reputation with the women in his life. A director and choreographer. Devoted to the elimination of poverty. Just someone that Hugh could really do with all the different aspects of the man.
Gene Kelly made a whole career out of just this type of "athletic" dancing as opposed to Astaire's more graceful style. Loved the Omnibus show where Kelly emphasized the relationship of sports to dancing.
Wow, great video Jamie! Thanks for sharing. Sugar Ray Leonard is the biggest surprise and reconfirms the notion that dancers & athletes possess similar skills and grace. Leave it to Gene to bring it to the masses!! Hugh always reminded me of him in so many ways.
Hugh's tap video is all over YouTube now too Sue
You know, Sue, I thought it was Sugar Ray LEONARD too, but I got to thinking this video goes back a long, long time, and we've seen Sugar Ray looking barely older than Hugh in pix and video getting prepped for Real Steel... so I looked it up and it's actually Sugar Ray ROBINSON (1921-1989).
I've known and absolutely adored Gene Kelly's dancing ever since I can remember, but I was truly amazed at a professional boxer having that amazing tap-dancing talent. Hats off to him!!!
This is the offending section: 
