jo
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Post by jo on Aug 9, 2014 22:58:31 GMT -5
He never was in the cast -- but he auditioned for STANDBY for Hugh Jackman in TBFO! Cheyenne Jackson! www.theatermania.com/video/i-hope-i-get-it-stories-from-the-audition-room-wit_646.htmlHe didn't get the role -- it was Kevin Spirtas who was given the Standby casting. But had Cheyenne been cast -- would he have had a chance to be Peter Allen? I remember seeing Kevin Spirtas peRform but as understudy for the role of Liza's husband. Hugh never took an unexpected leave, even if only for a day - for the entire year's run! Re the comment that his voice was "too deep" -- did it mean that his voice was too deep ( as a baritone) and was not a good match to Hugh's high-baritone vocal range? Jo |
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jo
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Post by jo on Aug 9, 2014 23:05:35 GMT -5
In this Stephanie J. Block interview, she was asked all sorts of questions - including the inevitable referral to her having Hugh Jackman as co-star. At 6'25", she talks about her audition with Hugh for the role of Liza. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pHHfttGrZgShe echoes what Cush Jumbo had said about her audition with Hugh for The River. Ever so gracious and helpful - this man Jackman! Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Aug 10, 2014 10:46:29 GMT -5
Playbill.com lists TBFO as one of "Eight Essential Guilty Pleasure Musicals." playbill.com/index.phpAs to Kevin Spirtas, I've seen him in his cabaret show (hilarious) and in recent years in two New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF) musicals, LEGACY FALLS and MR. CONFIDENTIAL. He does have what I would call a deeper, lower toned voice than Hugh. At a decade younger than Hugh, Cheyenne Jackson might have been fine in the earlier scenes of TBFO, but probably less effective later on. Just my speculation. Ellen |
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Post by JH4HJ on Aug 10, 2014 12:38:14 GMT -5
Thanks for this info, Ellen. I had trouble zeroing in on the topic from that "general" link. I think this one is more direct.Aside: RE: #3 on the list - Peter Allen (among others) did a demo for Prettybelle. What an odd (to put it mildly) notion for a Broadway musical. Whatever were they thinking??? smiley-signs002 |
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Post by mamaleh on Aug 10, 2014 13:54:38 GMT -5
Sorry--I linked to the home page because that's where Hugh's photo illustrated the article.
Yes, PRETTYBELLE, with its distasteful subject matter, was a strange choice for Angela Lansbury to undertake in the first place. I didn't realize Peter had covered some of the score.
Ellen
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jo
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Post by jo on Aug 10, 2014 18:10:32 GMT -5
My one true guilty pleasure on that list was STARLIGHT EXPRESS  I came to see it in London because I wanted to take my nieces and nephews ( three separate occasions) to see it-- and I enjoyed it surprisingly much. I don't know whether the racing trains ( actually the actors) reminded me of my enthusiasm for Formula One racing or that it was a great story of little David beating all the Goliaths...or that the musical score was wonderful. Thumping music and heartfelt ballads even if they were just supposed to be trains. giggle But hey -- my true pleasurable moments ( nothing to be guilty of ) -- *ASPECTS OF LOVE - arguably Andrew Lloyd Webber's most beautiful score ( lyrical, achingly romantic, almost Sondheimesque -- as described by one of London's famous musical theatre critics) but it was also my favorite Michael Ball musical ( although Les Miserables is my favorite musical, whose Marius was originated by Michael himself). I think the subject divided audiences but I have heard the negative comments more from the American side of the pond than in London - maybe because it was a musicalization of a novella by a member of the bohemian Bloomsbury group ( of which Virginia Woolf was a member). Also, the sets were occasionally stunning - I remember hearing the audience applaud on Broadway when the stage unfolded to show the Pyrenees Mountains!... And that score was so lovely and was so well-sung by the cast! I chased the show from London to Broadway - loved it smiley-love029. *THE BOY FROM OZ - another show which I chased from Broadway to Sydney! And need I say more on this board While I am not a great fan of jukebox musicals, except in this case and unlike Mamma Mia!, the Peter Allen songbook used was autobiographical in nature and amazingly fitted the musical biopic. And who can say No to the charisma and joy of performing of Hugh Jackman...When he asked the audience during the TBFO episode in Back on Broadway if we missed Peter -- it was a rapturous response from the audience - so how can that be a guilty pleasure smiley-love029 Jo |
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