Memories of TBFO Down Under

[JH4HJ]

I apologize for not remembering who took this photo.
It's still one of my all time faves from the production Down Under.



She caught the onscreen fireworks perfectly!

[jo]

Val,

Didn't you take that photo yourself? All along, I thought it was from your camera ;D

But it is a fab shot -- much better than even the pose at the 2004 TONYs!

Jo

[JH4HJ]

No, I'm pretty sure that one is not mine. I *think* it was taken by someone in Adelaide. I tried, but you know me - top of his head missing... foot in front of his face - those are mine. LOL

I never had such good luck with the fireworks display behind him, although I really like this one of mine.

[foxie]

beautiful thanks I must learn how to put on pics!!

[roselady]

the fireworks photo is mine yes it was taken in Adelaide. A total fluke I was blinded by lights and tears. When I have time to work out how Ill post a few more


[Just making the image visible. ADMIN]
roselady: see Reply #20 here:
ozalots.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=9&page=2

[droverswoman]

Thank you, roselady! That last photo is fantastic!!

[JH4HJ]

Irresistible - from any angle.

[jo]

I've always loved the Legs Diamond scene - that really showed how well Hugh can dance! And it was also reminiscent of Guys and Dolls ( he does sing Luck Be A Lady as part of his repertoire).

There was some buzz maybe a year or so that Fox had bought the rights for a remake of Guys and Dolls, specifically with Hugh in mind...but that seems to be in the backburner now. There was even some speculation that Tom Cruise may have wanted the role of Nathan.

I wonder if Hugh will have a follow-up movie musical to Les Miserables?

Jo

[mamaleh]

I'm sure this was the standout memory for producer Robert Fox et. al. In his latest column, Michael Riedel quotes "an Australian producer" as saying "we made obscene amounts of money" with Hugh's arena tour.

www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/top_billing_jayCAoEegNU3AKt9Zl9HuN


Too bad they couldn't have made a DVD of the show with just a dip into that pile of moolah.

Ellen

[jo]

Er...wasn't Australian Hugh one of the producers for the show ( under the SEED banner)? I do remember one Australian site quoting an estimate of Hugh's salary plus producer's share of the profits. Puh-lenty :-/

Jo

[mamaleh]

Oh, I know Seed was involved. I just don't think Riedel would refer to his friend Hugh as an "Australian producer" instead of by his name, that's all.

Ellen

[jo]

Just kidding, of course

But since Robert Fox is British and Ben Gannon has passed on, the other real producer left is Hugh Jackman. The other names with producer administrative/operational duties cited in the souvenir program were from the office of the Australian show. Maybe MR didn't want to attribute such a quote from Hugh

But I am glad that the arena tour paid off with such dividends -- it was backbreaking work for Hugh!


Jo

[JH4HJ]

A radio interview with Colleen Hewett, who played Marion Woolnough (Peter's mum) in the Aussie tour of TBFO.
About 8 minutes in, she talks about Hugh and the production. I think she enjoyed the gig.

[chessie]

"There's just nothing wrong with him..." One of the best descriptions of Hugh I've ever heard! How funny.

Carol

[jo]

"Hot??!!! No, he's not hot - he's an absolute volcano !!!... he's got a vibe and a heat that comes from him and then his talent and not only his looks and the body and the personality and these beautiful manners and it goes on and on... there's just nothing wrong with him!"

I remember having had a chance to talk to Colleen at the stage door ( although the fans were separated from the stage door by this big fence) - she came out for a bit of a smoke and we said Hello to her. She was very friendly and chatted a little. When we asked her if her "son" has already come in for the performance -- she laughed " Which one - the little one or the big one??"

Her rendition of DON'T CRY OUT LOUD was a showstopper, almost stealing the eleven o'clock number vibe of the show


Jo

[mamaleh]

That reminds me of Stephanie Block's quote about Hugh: "He is just this being that you can't believe exists, because he is, he is so lovely."

I remember talking with Beth Fowler at the Imperial stage door. Some of those gathered had asked her how it was appearing with Hugh on stage, and she said, "Wonderful---but why do I have to play his MOTHER???!!" or something like that, LOL. Obviously, she would have preferred different scenes with Hugh--and I can't blame her.

Ellen

[roselady]

[mamaleh]

For those who have a fond memory of Murray Bartlett as Greg Connell, he's about to premiere in a new HBO series, LOOKING, about a group of young gay guys in San Francisco. Jonathan Groff heads the cast.

www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2013/11/11/looking_on_hbo_an_early_look_at_the_new_gay_show.html

Ellen

[jo]

Quite recently, I posted a Knox Grammar School yearbook photo of young Hugh and some notations ( which can only be read incompletely) on his personal preferences and accomplishments. I think SILVER was mentioned as his favourite color?



On Broadway, even in the show Back on Broadway, he wore gold as The Boy from Oz...but silver also suits him well!


Jo

[jo]

Here he is in a silver-tinted costume for TBFO-Australia!

[jo]

Photo gallery for a party after TBFO - Sydney premiere.



And the rest --


newzcard.com/event/MjiZO/aus-the-boy-from-oz-party-2006-08-04

[jo]

Hugh in the memorable LEGS DIAMOND number, with the memorable choreography by Kenny Ortega --

[jo]

Matt Lee worked with Hugh in the arena tour in 2006.

http://instagram.com/p/BM7wXhHDicI

Matt is a musical theatre actor and choreographer. He had a successful career in Australia but is now portraying the lead role of Bert in MARY POPPINS in London ( a role for which he won a Helpmann award in Australia).

[jo]

Maracas were available as show merchandise during the arena tour.

I was lucky to have my pair (red ones, not like the multi-color pair he used for the show) both signed by Hugh


Jo

[hughmanity]

Also just published--  tv commercial promotion for end of arena tour.