Back on Broadway in Istanbul???

[jo]

I am quite envious about that new song/scene from GREATEST SHOWMAN. I wonder if this is a scene between Barnum and his second-in-command and ringmaster ( the role that Zac Efron was supposed to be in talks for -- I wonder whatever happened to that negotiation?), as Hugh performed it with a male singer?


Jo

[jo]

The Comments following the blog are also interesting --

comments:









Shamziro19 March 2015 at 20:15

It was a pleasure to read your summary :-) is it one of the longest posts?

I'm one of those ppl that has seen Jackman in, for example, Prestige while not watching any of X-men movies. It's good to know Hugh Jackman is more than an actor - an actual entertainer (even an artist). I don't think you can put a " = " mark between actors and entertainers, even though those two words are close to each other.

The ability to connect with the audience is golden. Being spontaneous as well. I had no idea the musical would focus so much on Hugh Jackman, in a positive sense. His "show" was actually "presenting" himself - more sharing, his stories, his personality, with others. A gift of giving of the most valuable one (not only actors, but humans) can offer - his personality. And if that personality wants to entertain, does it well, has skills, talents (and looks ;-) ) to back it up ... you receive an "Evening with Hugh Jackman".

From your words, think it's safe to assume Hugh can not only connect on a deeper level (with those that want to experience such thing), do it with a charm, but also show his efforts of trying to create an atmosphere of harmony where the Entertainer and Audience "work" together for a better experience. Good to know people like that exist :-) and do it not only for themselves, but having in mind others (think one can sense that).
And it is inspiring personality, when you look at his efforts to show (without forcing!) his traits even though the X-men image is such a burden. A burden for a man who has something richer to show. I wish him good luck and more musicals!
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Merve Maras19 March 2015 at 21:15

Thank you so much for your beautiful comment Shamziro Yea, I guess this is one of my longest posts and it doesn't even come close to fully describing the whole show itself. I only talked about my highlights but damn there were so many to begin with! The length of the post could indicate a full summary of the show, but believe me there are still things left out of this post.

I definitely agree with what you say about the distinction between actors and entertainers. Hugh Jackman is definitely an entertainer. I really admire the talent of any actor who is more than just an actor.

The musical was "completely" based on Hugh Jackman's life along with his past and upcoming work. It was spontaneous as you said; the whole thing was an improv with the exception of his song picks. So I'm pretty sure that anyone who didn't know English was bored out of their minds as they didn't understand about 60-70% of the show (only songs were translated).

Hugh Jackman was very successful in connecting with the audience. From my complaints you could understand how tough a spot he was actually in most of the time. But he always found a way to warm up the situation which clearly shows true talent and skill. Not everyone could do something like that.

"A burden for a man who has something richer to show." I loved this sentence. I am afraid this burden is quite common in Hollywood too, and it's never the actor's fault. I'm glad you got to see some of his other work rather than what the world knows him as. I've been following Hugh's work ever since the start of high school and it's never been about Wolverine for me. While I grew up more, I started seeing him as more of a performer than an actor, and that's exactly what he is in my eyes.

Thank you again Shamziro. As I know from your comments that you are someone who appreciates a person's versatility; I believe that you'd have really enjoyed the show. I wish you could have been there





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Shamziro19 March 2015 at 23:23

There's no need for a full description - the best parts are probably personal, things that resonate in each member of the audience. Words can be accurate and carefully picked but the value of living the musical is something of your own. No one can take the moment away. That is something deeper than entertaining, a connection.
If someone is sceptical about art, one should read your words to see what can be experienced, especially when doing some, even basic, research.

The language barrier is always of great impact. I never really experienced it, as most of my foreign culture contact was through english (which I know since a small kid). Was there a translator? Did the show have some sort of description "mostly english"? (If so, people should have known what they are getting into). 2k people is a lot, but think it could have been possible to organise it. Kind of dissolved communication. But on the other hand, one can focus more on those subtle things than just the words.

I don't know the audience of Turkey or the audience present at the musical. "They" are who they are, the quality is what it is. The most important factor would be something we cannot possibly know - what did Hugh want to achieve? For example, how did it feel to have Hugh within your sight, closely within your physical reach? He's a star, but also a human who wants to "share himself". Even with his charisma and charm, he's just like you and me. Again connection.
Maybe Hugh wanted to present some sort of bond, with his life being the conductor? Maybe he sought a bond, and was testing how far can he connect? Going beyond grace of performance (how often could it be seen as artificial?). If I'd have a chance to ask him a question, I'd most def. ask this. Did he mention why has he started doing it all? (deeper motivation than his father's suggestions of continuing studies). What's your gut feeling about this? Please more analysis :-) maybe you have a particular movie in mind that could answer this, a recommendation, article?

I always appreciate a person who puts his entire Self into his work - it requires not only the ability to do so (!) but will. Perhaps one day I'll have a chance to attend such event with a great person :-)

Btw: was the 3rd row worth it? ;-)
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Merve Maras20 March 2015 at 00:30

Yes, you are absolutely right. There is no way to describe what you feel during a musical. It isn't something you can express in words but experience with your very own being. Some very basic research would have made anyone else enjoy the show even more. Otherwise, the name of the musicals he kept mentioning are just a random collection of words, nothing less nothing more.

About your question in regard to translation: There were 3 screens, one on the left side of the stage, one on the right side of the stage and one slightly above the stage. Only song lyrics were translated. The description of the show on the website stated that the show was in English but there would be Turkish translation. Considering the whopping prices of the tickets, I'd have preferred for them to hire an interpreter and translate Jackman's words through earpieces that they would distribute at the entrance. But this didn't happen. Of course I wouldn't have used this but I'm pretty sure some people would have wanted that option. And yea there were some subtle things than just words. He pointed at people, he blinked at them, he asked some people their names and repeated after them, he did a lot to make people feel involved.

To answer your question about him being within my sight: It felt amazing to be in his presence. As you said, he is just a human being, and he was on that stage as a human being. As far as what he wanted to achieve, I think he achieved it with some of us. I believe he wanted to personally connect and tell his life story. Even for anyone who knows him as only Wolverine, he was completely someone else on that stage: A son, a husband, a father, a dancer, a singer, a performer, a comedian, an actor, a humanist and last but not least and most importantly a human being! All the stories he told could easily be summarised with this.

When he was telling the story of Bowen, he touched the subject of racism a little bit, to which I actually yelled out loud in approval, to my surprise I was the only one to do so. He really valued what they did in that city and he also brought 2 Aborigines who played their traditional instrument Didgeridoo before he sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. He kindly asked the audience to give them a loud applause, but honestly he didn't even have to ask us. Those people deserved to get a standing ovation. About the project; he went there when he was 19 years old with a couple of his mates. After spending some months there, his friends left but he decided to stay a while longer. He would have kept staying too but his father convinced him to finish the university first; he didn't really add anything else.

I really hope that you will also get to experience something like this, by yourself or with someone great. Either way, it's an experience that is worth living whether you are solo or with company.

About the 3rd row, I think it was 3rd row when I bought the ticket, I did pay quite a hefty sum after all but I wasn't sitting in 3rd row. To be perfectly honest with you the first 3-4 row were filled with Turkish famous people and people with special invitation. Nonetheless I was still pretty close to the stage, for example Cem Yılmaz a veeeeeeeeeery famous comedian in Turkey was sitting only 3-4 rows in front of me but I admit I did have regrets about not buying the most expensive ticket instead of opting out for the 2nd most expensive one. I wish I went full out But even if I did, there was no way for me to be ever seated in the first 4 rows as it was reserved for "special" people with "special" friends in "special" places

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman
· 10m 10 minutes ago
A special messages for my friends in Istanbul ...

http://instagram.com/p/2Z3P6vihEF

He is looking quite refreshed. Hope everything goes well the second time around

[mamaleh]

I wonder--knowing absolutely nothing about vocal hemorrhages--whether Hugh will be able to do an 8-performance week in a musical again. Is he more prone to a repeat of that injury now?

Ellen

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman
· 4m 4 minutes ago
Take #684!

http://instagram.com/p/2bonmDChOI

[jo]

So, what is Hugh preparing for now these days --

Istanbul?

Possible Apocalypse feature?

Or both??

[jo]

Someone brought this up on the SHH board --

Anyways someone brought it up before that Hugh is still not sporting the muttonchops but I'd imagine it wouldn't take him long to grow that thing. Also, wig and/or beard wig.

His latest photo -- coming out of the gym with Dali and Allegra --





Maybe he wants to look clean-cut in ISTANBUL

But we'll see...if and when he turns up in Montreal smiley-greet025


Jo

[jo]

TV spot in Istanbul?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ-1azCqiY4&sns=fb

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman
· 5h 5 hours ago
Getting ready to come back!!! #Istanbul

http://instagram.com/p/2wCIpjChH1

[jo]

[jo]

www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2015/05/27/hugh-jackman-back-in-town

Hugh Jackman back in town

ZEYNEP ESRA KOCA
ISTANBUL
Published 9 hours ago


Hugh Jackman back in town



Hugh Jackman, who canceled his program at Zorlu Performance Arts Center (PSM) after the first show due to a hemorrhage in his vocal cords, will return to the PSM's Turkcell Stage on May 30-31 and June 1.

The actor delighted the audience with his show on March 17, but postponed his remaining three shows, promising to return soon. Instead of bringing his family this time, Jackman will come to Istanbul with a 32-man team of dancers and musicians. During his stay, the actor will stay in the suits with a Bosphorus view at Raffles Hotel in Zincirlikuyu.

He will perform his show titled "An Evening with Hugh Jackman" and advised about Istanbul by his close friend, Turkish physician Mehmet Öz. Residing in the U.S., Öz told reporters in a recent interview that he wants to see Jackman's show in Turkey. The show will be his first in Europe following his shows on Broadway. Tickets start from TL 192 ($73).

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman
· 3h 3 hours ago
Istanbul ... On our way!

http://instagram.com/p/3OPZ9-ChEs

[jo]

Zorlu Performing Center is certainly giving AN EVENING WITH HUGH the promotional support --

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mkfSO6XfSE

[jo]

[hughmanity]

http://instagram.com/p/3PBCkthOKH

[hughmanity]

Hugh wastes no time going back to Eatily in Istanbul!

http://instagram.com/p/3O-_YrOX98

[jo]

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 25m25 minutes ago
Good morning Istanbul!

http://instagram.com/p/3QWVy4ChKS

[jo]

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 2h2 hours ago
I am one lucky bloke! Dance rehearsals with my girls for tomorrow night's first show in Istanbul at…

http://instagram.com/p/3Q4065ihAc

I miss the show


Jo

[jo]

Here's a sharper reproduction of the video --

www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0529/704686-watch-sneak-peak-at-jackman-in-dance-rehearsals/

I find comments from people who discover Hugh's dance ability only now quite amusing - that Hugh can do these things as well. And he was only half-exerting efforts as this is just a rehearsal of a previously-performed show. I guess not too many outside Broadway and London have discovered Oklahoma! ( although the dancing there was limited to the dream ballet and the rousing ensemble numbers) or seen his show before.

Only one who complained that he doesn't want the badass superhero mutant to start dancing - LOL!

This fan disagrees, though --

cinders23 ‏@cinders23 · 52m52 minutes ago
@realhughjackman After Wolverine it's fun to be reminded how light on your feet you really are! xo #thanksforsharing

Jo

[mamaleh]

If memory serves, aren't those the steps done to "Luck Be A Lady"? If so, why does the music sound different? I understand it's just a rehearsal, but it seems odd.

Ellen

[jo]

Maybe they were just initially warming up? And will proceed to the actual show rehearsal later on?

[jo]

I wonder why Hugh seems to have removed the dance rehearsal instagram message? Maybe he is replacing it with a much longer one

EDIT: It's now part of his Twitter messages ( new or amended message) --

twitter.com/RealHughJackman/with_replies

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 22m22 minutes ago
@emilytyra @annenyc @seibertyoung thank you ladies!! First show tomorrow at Zorlu in Istanbul

He also edited the first part of the clip - it is no longer showing him doing the kick.


Jo

[jo]

Emily Tyra ‏@emilytyra · 4h4 hours ago
Just hanging out in #Istanbul, like you do. Excited to be reunited with #HughJackman at #zorlupsm.…

http://instagram.com/p/3Q3TzLhetl

[jo]

BREAK A LEG!

[jo]

Did this happen in Istanbul

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 8m8 minutes ago
Don't know what to say about my crazy eyes! But this is what happens when you put frozen fruit and…

http://instagram.com/p/3SsXP7ihJ6