THE GREATEST SHOWMAN : The Workshops!

[jo]

The workshop video of FROM NOW ON is being used by Amazon.com to help pitch the sales of BLuRay/DVD and Digital Release.

It seems this will be part of the SPECIAL FEATURES. LOL - it was not even filmed for purposes of public consumption -- but probably more for internal purposes of FOX and the Gracey/Jackman film project team.

[jo]

Revisiting the Instagram post from Natalie Weiss --

http://instagram.com/p/y96qwnjT7r

Josh Henry -- isn't he the new Billy in the current CAROUSEL revival?

Michael Stuhlberg -- is he the now relatively famous film actor ( Call Me By Your Name, etc)?

[jo]

And look what Hugh had as a birthday surprise for Natalie's Mom ( a great fan of HJ!) --

http://instagram.com/p/BaHL7kvFoQ6

[jo]

The t-shirt ( Global Citizens Festival official t-shirt) which he showed off in September 2015 was seen again in that famous February 9, 2016 workshop for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ( which has been clicked on over 11.6 million times)--

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 9m9 minutes ago
Coming up on Saturday, September 26th, @globalfestival. Who's with me?! #GPP

[jo]

Carrie Manolakos, a Broadway actress ( Mamma Mia!/Wicked) was in the workshops ( at least in the final one) -- but I am not sure if she had worked with Hugh in promoting THE GREATEST SHOWMAN or something else. There is mention of LES MISERABLES as well as THE GREATEST SHOWMAN in this recent post. Hmm... could it be for a private function?

This post is dated only March 27.

http://instagram.com/p/Bg06DavAdno

[jo]

In the finale workshop, I wasn't too sure who the lady in red with curly hair and red scarf, singing on Hugh and Jeremy's left, was. I thought it might be Loren Allred but I have always seen her with straight hair.

Until this photo taken at the QMary2 premiere of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.

Her most recent image ( singing NEVER ENOUGH in a concert clip) showed her with straight hair again.




What do you think?

[jo]

It looks like everyone is trying to hang on to the coattails of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, given its totally unexpected success with audiences! This time it is Jeremy Jordan...

I do like Keala's attitude about her being part of the workshop simply to test the music ... and that she did not have any expectations at all.

[jo]

Interesting follow-ups on that tweet about Jeremy Jordan --

Melly
‏
@mellyinoz
13m
13 minutes ago


More
Did you or anyone video this?


*******************************************************

jeremyjordancom

@jeremyjordancom
Follow
Follow @jeremyjordancom

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Replying to @mellyinoz @thedctvshow @realhughjackman
We’ve found out that video recording isn’t allowed.
4:25 AM - 13 May 2018

At least Jeremy had the decency to include @realhughjackman in his reply.

I think he was asked to do the demos because of his connection with Pasek and Paul via the TV show SMASH.

[jo]

[jo]

Technically, not one of the workshops, but an early demo of REWRITE THE STARS --

**Exclusive!!** In March 2016, at an exclusive salon for the Dramatists Guild Foundation, Tony & Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) joined Oscar & Tony winner Justin Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen) to debut "Rewrite the Stars," a demo of the song that Zac Efron & Zendaya would eventually sing in the blockbuster film The Greatest Showman.

[jo]

From that same thread on BWW, there is the link to the Instagram post/photo from Alison Luff --

http://instagram.com/p/Bc5MJsWh2XC

[jo]

Tweeted right after the exclusive workshop video was released by FOX on the eve of Opening Date --

[jo]

Unless, he is simply referring to a June 30 NYC benefit concert of which he will be among the singers --

www.caller.com/story/entertainment/2018/06/27/corpus-christis-jeremy-jordan-part-concert-america/737817002/


BWW members are busy speculating if he is coming back to Broadway...and in what show, if he is going to do that.


Btw, in Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG the song OPENING DOORS, part of the lyrics is "There's not a tune you can hum".

Longshot -- unless he is talking of a more distant project, like THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ( maybe as Philip?) --haha - wishful thinking on my part


Jo

[jo]

Hugh was looking grim on the day after his skin cancer surgery... but we had seen the photos without realizing what he was up to on that day.

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3439958/Hugh-Jackman-spotted-bandage-nose-revealing-s-fifth-skin-cancer-growth-removed-two-years.html

He probably had gone to his doctor to have his post-operative condition checked ( and change of bandages) before he went to the workshop on February 9, 2016.

What a trouper!

[bbrinsfield62]

Dec 24, 2017 20:08:30 GMT -5 jo said:

Feb 14, 2016 18:08:04 GMT -5 jo said:

Another photo --

http://instagr.am/p/BBluKJxJg0B

Some tweets indicated that Jeremy Jordan and Andrew Keenan Bolger were also there but were missing in the photo session.


Jo

Does anyone know who the actress or singer is 2nd female from the right? White shirt? She was amazing in the videos

[jo]

I think you're referring to Natalie Weiss.


She acknowledged her presence in her Instagram post --

http://instagram.com/p/BBl-9qIjTyr

This was posted during the run of THE RIVER --

Feb 11, 2015 18:27:40 GMT -5 hughmanity said:

http://instagr.am/p/y96qwnjT7r

[jo]

Someone pointed this out on the Comments section --


At around 4'57", Natalie Weiss ( in white sleeveless dress, next to Loren Allred - curly hair and red scarf) was recording the singing on her cellphone.


I wonder if she was allowed to keep it. I understand that the video itself was not made available to the singer/actors and all copies were shredded except maybe a few official copies. But she did NOT publish hers on her channel, so maybe it was just for her personal memories. Natalie was there since the first/second workshops along with Keala. She also became part of the official credits for the singing ensemble of the film.


Jo

[jo]

The real reason why Hugh started singing, despite doctor's orders *solemn emoji*


From the feedback section on the YTube upload of the workshop of FROM NOW ON --

Jonathan Mehau
1 day ago

Doctor: No singing Hugh
Hugh Jackman: ok doc
Wolverine: I’ve healed already
Hugh Jackman starts singing

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/BdOAU6GATMe

http://instagram.com/p/BcaGRFuAXij

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/Bf6OIJ8ARXr

It was an epic fail for the AMPAS voters -- they failed to recognize the song that stayed so long in so many hearts and souls! Who even remembers what they sang in Coco! THIS IS ME won the Oscars crowd -- that was the real win!


Btw, Ben was not in the movie -- but he was part of the workshops and was part of the singing ensemble in the cast recording which won a Grammy for the album and for Hugh as principal vocalist.


Jo

[jo]

JoAB
@joab46466753
·
20m
Why Jeremy Jordan Sang For Hugh Jackman During Greatest Showman Demo
screenrant.com/jeremy-jordan-greatest-showman-hugh-jackman/



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
18m
Posted the story to correct some misimpressions. HughJackman initiated the film musical project in 2009, upon suggestion of Oscars producer LMark who saw in rehearsal for 2009 Oscars. Bill Condon was likely among those who agreed. 1/3



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
15m
Project stalled until MichaelGracey was hired as director(directed HJ in previous ad)... he developed themes to provide guidelines for music score. Among many songwriters invited to support film themes / songs were Pasek&Paul from Bway. who might have asked Jordan to do demos 2/3



JoAB
@joab46466753
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10m
HJ was involved in all workshops using Bway singers(ATveit sang Philip role in 1st one).1 year before final workshop, ZacEfron was offered role of Philip...joined workshops&table reads. In Feb'16, final workshop forFox execs(knew this was HJ project, XMen franchise pointman)3/5



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
8m
Zac had previous commitment & had advance word that he could not make final workshop(but Fox already knew his work w/ HSchoolMusical). HJ had skin cancer surgery day before & forbidden by surgeon not to sing. Few days before, HJ&ZE were seen at PearlStudios doing rehearsals 4/5



JoAB
@joab46466753
On workshop day(Feb'16),Jordan was asked to substitute for the 2 absent cast members. But HJ could not help himself& sang the final song - the room exploded.Btw, the singer who impressed Fox CEO JGianopulos was KealaS (ThisIsMe)& was told on the spot that she had a contract! 5/6




12:51 PM · Dec 20, 2023
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Replying to @joab46466753

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JoAB
@joab46466753
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2m
All was well that ended well. The recording was supposed to be private but the reactions were so unexpected that "ThisIsMe" &"FromNowOn" numbers were released to promote the movie. Wonderful movie with all key cast performing very well!

JoAB
@joab46466753
·
4m
This was the report indicating that Zac Efron was already in talks about the role of Philip in February 2015, a year before the final workshop
www.tracking-board.com/tb-exclusive-zac-efron-in-talks-to-star-opposite-hugh-jackman-in-greatest-showman-on-earth-musical/



JoAB
@joab46466753
This was the Variety report in August 2009 announcing the project ( then titled The Greatest Showman on Earth) and Hugh Jackman as Barnum. HJ became an uncredited producer of the project which took 8 years before it was released in Dec 2017.
variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/hugh-jackman-to-star-in-showman-1118006842/#!

[jo]

Picked this up from one of the gossip rags... about Jeremy Jordan --

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by Anonymous reply 96 February 15, 2020 11:58 PM
I went to see Jeremy Jordan at 54/Below recently. He definitely has a great voice, but the show was odd. He framed the show as a video diary to his baby daughter (yes, I know) and he tells stories about his life. He interacted very little with the audience. The stories were mostly sad (abusive step dad, etc) until he talked about how he got screwed over by the Greatest Showman composers and Hugh Jackman. That was surprising but entertaining at least.
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by Anonymous reply 99 February 28, 2020 9:29 PM
Jeremy Jordan sand the lead on the demo when they were trying to get money for the show.

Was he promised a role in the movie?

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Offsite Link
by Anonymous reply 101 February 28, 2020 9:58 PM
I don't remember all of the details, but here are some highlights from his side of the story:

- He was doing the composers a favor since they were friends. - He had to buy his own plane ticket (!) to fly from California to New York for the demo. - He got sick and lost his voice. But he took steroids to sing, because he was the only person who knew the songs (I'm not sure how that's possible but that's his story). - Hugh Jackman had nose surgery, so Jeremy had to sing both lead parts at the last minute. - Jeremy was really excited to be the hero of the demo. Until the Hugh Jackman got his voice back on the last song and got all of the applause (there's a Youtube video showing this). - At the end of the demo session, Hugh said that he was talking to Zac Efron and Jeremy was crushed. Apparently, he thought the role was his. - Honestly, I was surprised that he would tell a story where he came across so stupid and naive.

There was more discussion to the effect that since this was a major studio, it did not seem logical that they would prefer a Broadway actor/singer over a movie star like Zac Efron who had been successful with musicals.

So, it was Pasek & Paul who might have told him that IF he did well, who knows if he might be cast in the movie.
Obviously, P&P might not have known that Zac was already in talks about the role one year before the final workshop. A good thing I found that scoop from the site Tracking Board ( which info I included in my series of tweets above re the recent story on JJordan). I also remember early on that it was supposed to be Michael Gracey who was batting for Zac. I also remember that Zac had joined the workshops early on but maybe P&P did not know that he was already under consideration by Fox.

Don't people realize that HughJackman would be the lead from Day 1? Not debatable at all!
*He initiated the project in 2009, per report of Variety
*He attended all the workshops and sang all the Barnum songs - no one is taking over
*He is Fox most valuable actor then, being the pointman of their best-selling franchise
*He was the uncredited producer of the movie.

I am glad to have had access to much of what was happening behind the scenes then -- and would not believe his story hook, line & sinker.

Btw, the above did not say that Hugh Jackman ever promised him the role of Philip. I think it was only P&P who thought of saying it is a possibility so he would do the demo recordings ( which could have also been done by the other workshop actors) and to ask to substitute for the ailing Hugh & the absent Zac. In what my contact who was someone working with one of the producer/consulants said of the story, he said that some songs were actually sang by P&P.. He also shared how the room exploded when Hugh started singing and people went crazy!

But what was glaring -- it was not Jordan who impressed the crowd. Fox COO Jim Gianopulos was so impressed by Keala that he stood up and told her in front of everyone that she had just landed her first motion picture contract!

Jeremy did not register with the Fox people, especially after Hugh took over and the room exploded!

Why is he trying to make his biodata look more attractive than it really is! And he is still doing it now.


Jo

[jo]

I have just come across a comment ( tweet or article) of someone who said that Hugh was acting like someone very important to the project when Keala started singing...and grasped Hugh's hand because she was very nervous...and Hugh acknowledging that he can provide the calming effect.

What people did not know was that Hugh and Keala became very good friends even early on, as Keala was among the singers from Workshop # 1. Some photos during filming would see them eating together. Many other instances showing good friendship ties. So, that acknowledgement by Hugh of Keala grasping his hand was a sincere gesture of support!

Jo

[jo]

[jo]

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