Fifty and Fabulous!

[jo]

FIFTY

& fabulous !!!






On the first day of this Birthday Week --

I would like to talk about my first favorite performance of Hugh Jackman!


It has to be OKLAHOMA!

I went to see OKLAHOMA! on a business trip to London in 1999 because I am a big fan of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN and I wanted to give the show a chance, as it was my least favorite of the duo's well-known best five shows!

Little did I know that someone's performance will make me sit up and be convinced why this show is America's landmark musical … and will lead to my longtime following a triple-threat talent on stage ( and film. eventually)! I couldn't even see his face too well, as I was seated in the equivalent of a front row mezzanine. But his commanding presence was very obvious and that voice could compete with the best legit stage musical voice! I thought he would be a West End regular...but he never came back to London. Little did I know that he would be travelling again, this time, westward to Hollywood! But thanks to the foresight and determination of Trevor Nunn, the stage musical would be filmed ( and in a sound stage) and his fans would eventually get to see that performance, which not only won him a Lawrence Olivier nomination but caught the eyes of two people who will have a longtime influence on his budding film career -- one was producer Lauren Shuler Donner who will pave the way to his casting as Wolverine...and Patrick Whitesell who will become his longtime agent!


Hugh Jackman gave the show a distinctive Curly - manly and handsome, cheeky and swaggering but sometimes unexpectedly unsure, romantic and dramatic!  I never thought that the fairly boring interpretation by Gordon McRae ( albeit his voice was in glorious form) could be portrayed in a manner that had all the women, kids, ( and the dogs, to quote Maureen Lipman) falling over themselves. His baritone was powerful, seductive and glorious, ringing and booming on that live stage and eventually on home videos. Who would not be seduced by that courting song "The Surrey With The Fringe on Top" or not be struck by that voice ringing with " Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' ", or even be seduced again with the other courting song "People Will Say We're In Love" and not be roused by that title song "OKLAHOMA!"? No one also expected to see his Curly become the same Curly who would dance the dream ballet/waltz ( as no one ever did on stage and in the cinema in the past). Hugh was the great find of Trevor Nunn... and in a sense he opened doors for this triple-threat talent to become one of the most versatile actors on film and stage!

"OKLAHOMA!" opened 20 years ago!




Where is the actor Hugh Jackman now? He will soon turn fifty and is enjoying a fabulous career arc at the moment, as he proves in the last year or so that he can be anything you want in a performer! Superhero - check! Musical performer - check! Dramatic biopic interpreter- Check! And if things go well -- maybe, just maybe, we might even see him back on stage ?


Advance Happy Birthday, Hugh Jackman!

[jo]

On the Second Day of Birthday Week --

Here's my choice

http://instagram.com/p/BVHdlTfDFFI

Of course the Wolverine movies will have a special place, as it defined Hugh's career in its major first phase! There were many choices ( such as the Wolverine trilogy, the first two movies and the 4th one of the original trilogy) but if I have to zero in on the one that made the most impact on me, it has to be LOGAN

I never knew who Wolverine was because my comic-book reading days were decades ago. It was only when I was trying to find out what happened to the stage actor who impressed me in OKLAHOMA! that I eventually traced it to a Hollywood blockbuster, the movie(s) that reinvented the superhero genre! I did not catch the first 2 ones on the big screen but by the third (original) trilogy entry, I was on board...and backtracking for the first two XMen movies! I could not quite believe that the stage actor from OKLAHOMA! was actually a clawed badass mutant ( with the introduction to the XMEN franchise, I began learning the superhero speak-ese -- is there such a word?). I actually began to be thrilled everytime a new entry into the franchise is announced and released! I even bought the original comic book material ( aka graphic novels) for the Japanese saga, the days of future past storyline, and intently read the online version of Old Man Logan! Hugh Jackman grew into the franchise! The intensity and the badassery became a hallmark of his performance. He was the face of the franchise … and many other movie superheroes were compared to the credibility and impact of Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine!

But nothing was close to the deeply absorbing saga of how the tale of James Howlett/Wolverine will end in LOGAN! Here was the weary Logan waiting out his days with his beloved mentor! Here was the jaded Logan surprised with the daunting challenge of meeting his match in a tiny ( and female) recreation of his persona! Here was Wolverine confronted with two sides of himself - the good/angsty and the evil killing side! Hugh and James Mangold worked so hard in giving us the finale saga that had the elements of strong character roles for three people ( with its his/her own view and agenda), the resolution of unfinished business ( including finding meaning to his life and how to evolve his saga), and the fitting but hurtful and poignant end to the life of the beloved mutant, Wolverine!

Hugh Jackman gave an awards-worthy performance... but the AMPAS still could not get itself to acknowledge that this was one of the most powerful characterizations of a superhero! It gave the movie a nomination for BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, signifying how important and artistically-satisfying the final tale of Wolverine is, setting a precedent for the genre.

To every Wolverine ( as portrayed by Hugh Jackman) fan, it was a bittersweet farewell which left us with permanent fond memories of our favorite superhero!

The movie marked the first one in the latest perfect trifecta roles for Hugh Jackman -- superhero/musical master/politician!


Advance Happy Birthday, Hugh Jackman!

[jo]

This guy's about to turn 50!

He looks fabulous

http://instagram.com/p/BothaK6HRtT

[jo]

On Day 3 of Birthday Week --


My choice(s) are two faces of the same coin --

*they are both musical biopics.

*They are inspired by the life of a man from the late century while the other was born two centuries ago...they both present the lives of two men who were driven by natural talent and strong ambitions -- to elevate their status! One man became an icon in his native land...while the other showed the world the birth of showbiz, as we know it today! Both excelled in mass entertainment!

*One likes to wear Hawaiian shirts...while the other likes top hats and canes!

*The musical score of one is derived from his personal compositions and are autobiographical in nature...while the other musical score is original work...and while advancing the story and enhancing characterizations from an earlier time, is written in contemporary style. Both were hits of their time!

*Hugh sang some 20/21 songs ( of 25) in the first musical biopic, with some accompanied by dance (from samba to tap to other crazes of the period, including one atop a piano)… the other has Hugh singing some 5 songs, each one distinctive in theme and performance! One goes to Rio for its finale...while the other has the ubiquitous opening song reprising itself at the end!

*One was performed on a Broadway stage! Its main appeal was Hugh's reaching out and breaking the 4th wall to interact with his audience ( we were all willing Bicoastal victims when lucky to be chosen -- lol) and bringing the audience in to the show!





The other is a celluloid phenomenon, suprising everyone with its long legs on screens everywhere and with its tentacle hold on musical charts! Its very strong appeal reached across ages, gender, and boundaries - with audiences identifying with the characters and their individual stories that made up the storyline!






*Hugh Jackman made THE BOY FROM OZ almost a one-man show -- he was singing, dancing, jostling the audience, and leaving everyone gasping by the time the show ended! On screen, once the silhouette of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN appeared on screen with the now classic intro ...and down to when he realized he had everything he wanted in life ( maybe at that moment ) , it was Jackman's show! Aided and abetted by his fantastic support cast!

Both demonstrate his tremendous stamina and triple-threat talent! Both show his very strong audience rapport and charisma! Both celebrate his versatility and dedication to his craft!


No one could forget that wonderful year of THE BOY FROM OZ on Broadway... and its closing night a year later was even more boisterous than Opening Night! Everyone loved him, including Ms. TONY!


THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is now almost a year since it premiered -- but it is still in the minds and hearts of so many fans! Screenings, sing-alongs, live shows inspired by the movie/score, song covers from pros and everybody on earth ( including toddlers) -- and now the announcement of a tribute album from top pop stars! People are now calling it a classic musical!


But looking at personal experiences from both shows -- they were both exhilarating and thrilling rides! It is Hugh Jackman in one of his best milieus!


ADVANCE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUGH JACKMAN!

[jo]

Do you have FIVE FAVORITE Hugh performances that you would like to share

He has quite a portfolio of portrayals, on film and stage!

We have followed Hugh's career for a long time now, dating back from his early 2000 performances. Choosing our top 5 is not easy -- but as he celebrates his big 50, maybe part of our commemorating his big day is sharing which of these portrayals have given us the best moments!


Jo

[mamaleh]

All his musical roles (THE BOY FROM OZ, the various versions of his one-man show, OKLAHOMA!, LES MIZ, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN)--OK, kind of a cheat, but I loved them all.
LOGAN
THE PRESTIGE
KATE & LEOPOLD
Tie: PRISONERS, ERSKINEVILLE KINGS, REAL STEEL, AUSTRALIA and DECEPTION (anther cheat, OK)

Ellen

[jo]

Lol- that sounds closer to 50 than 5

Can't blame you, though


Jo

[carouselkathy]

My turn!


Oklahoma!
Carousel at Carnegie Hall
Les Miz
The Prestige
The Boy From Oz
Kate & Leopold
Flushed Away

[carouselkathy]

It's really hard to chose Just 5! I tend to gravitate toward the musical performances, so LOGAN isn't on my list. My cousin worked on THE PRESTIGE, and we recently had a family online discussion about the greatness of that film. Maybe there should be a separate list for musicals & non-musical performances.

[carouselkathy]

One night, I was driving in downtown Los Angeles to a concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. I took the wrong freeway exit and ended up on a turn of the century street scene movie set. It was lit up as if they were filming. I saw trailers, but no people. I was sure that someone was going to yell at me for ruining a shot, but no one appeared. Luckily, I found my way to the right street for the Dorothy Chandler parking garage. Only later, when THE PRESTIGE came out, did I realize where my freeway exit had led me. My cousin verified that they had filmed at night in the older downtown area. It was scary to be lost on a deserted downtown street, but what are the odds that I would end up on the PRESTIGE set?

[njr]

I agree with Kathy!
(In no particular order)
Musicals: Oklahoma!, The Boy From Oz, The Greatest Showman, Carousel, Les Miz
Non-musicals: Swordfish, Kate & Leopold, The Prestige, all the X-Men movies (Sorry, couldn’t pick just one!), Australia

Nancy

[hughmanity]

Boy from Oz ( and I've only seen clips!)
Oklahoma!
Les Miz
Kate & Leopold
Logan

Honorable mention: Australia,  Showman,  Erskineville, All the other X-Men movies, Prisoners, Eddie the Eagle

But my GRAND PRIZE goes to Back on Broadway....it is where I fell in love! 

[jo]

On the 4th Day ( and day before his 50th) of Birthday Week --


Two movies which are very much in contrast … but showed Hugh in very different lights. No action hero, no romantic duke, and no triple-threat. Straight drama!

One was his first venture in exploring deep dramatic themes...the other was taking a role which contrasted with his usual performing persona ( this time, as a rogue alpha male)










Which to choose?


THE FOUNTAIN was considered very divisive when it was originally released. It explored themes of death and immortality … and man's unquenchable thirst to find his ultimate goal! It presented those themes in three slices of life of one man or three men with the same unique quest for immortality. Confounding and deeply touching at the same time. Tomas was the all-conquering Spanish warrior beholden to his Queen; Tommy was the stricken surgeon/husband who could not bear the thought of losing his wife, without himself doing everything within his power to extend her life; and Tom was the astronaut, versed in the ancient arts of tai-chi, who traversed the universe in search of Xibalba. The haunting music by Mansell helped establish the strange but romantic atmosphere of this movie that had a golden sheen to it! It is a deeply disturbing movie, yet it also seems like finding the epiphany of the purpose of life and beyond!

Aronofsky's filmmaking art presented Hugh Jackman with the ultimate acting challenge -- never-before deeply emotional and unusual physical challenges to an acting professional! I watched it over and over again. I tried to understand what messages I was getting and what entertainment value came from this oeuvre! When I finally thought I had arrived at what the film meant to me ( not necessarily to others), it was like a benediction! In retrospect, it is so pleasing that revisionist thinking has applied to THE FOUNTAIN. On its 10th anniversary of release, new reviews and re-reviews came out in praise of the film.


A STEADY RAIN was another new acting challenge to Hugh Jackman. He portrayed an alpha male who was all rogue and braggadocio at the beginning. Due to outside circumstances, he fell down a physical, mental and emotional abyss from a series of dramatic events beyond his control. At the end, he was not left too many choices...and for once, did a noble act of self-sacrifice. Is it pure melodrama? I do not know...but seeing Hugh's transformation on stage had such an effect on me - that he is as much at home with handling dramatic roles ( to which no positive end can be seen) as he is with more light-hearted acting material.

Three scenes stood out for me -- the first was his playful interaction with the character played by Daniel Craig...the second was an unexpected moment when he stood to the side in complete repose ( as he seemed to be absorbing the impact of what was now happening to his well-ordered life as a rogue cop) while Daniel delivered his monologue. The third one was totally unexpected...and not even overly dramatic. He was slumped down in front of the stage with Daniel, as they reminisced about their youth...when suddenly, I could see tears welling in his eyes and quietly coursing down one cheek. It happened again and again at other times I had seen the performance. Wow, what an actor!

As it was live performance on stage... and Hugh's presence is so magnetic ( especially if you were lucky and got seats in the front rows), the crowd was hushed and left gasping. I am also a great theatre fan and I am beginning to like straight plays almost in equal measure as musical theatre...so this was one time when I could have sat in the audience even much longer than the actual play, simply to see acting talent so well-exposed!



Time do decide which dramatic interpretation affected me most - THE FOUNTAIN was one movie which I had repeatedly seen on video without any fast-forward button being used at all! On the other hand, I was very surprised to be so impressed by the changing characterization of the role of Denny by Hugh in A STEADY RAIN.

Will a tie do

They were both serious fare...and they both left strong and remarkable impressions on me, albeit of different kinds.


ADVANCE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUGH JACKMAN!

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/7KxhIOChEj

A little less than 50 years later

http://instagram.com/p/BothaK6HRtT

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/Boy2yFoj1YQ

You still look fab, Mr. Jackman!

[jo]

[jo]

ET Canada celebrates Hugh's 50th Birthday by commemorating his 10 Best FILM roles!


etcanada.com/photos/373974/hugh-jackmans-10-best-movie-roles/#image-374860

[jo]

Social media is full of people greeting Hugh on his landmark birthday -- this is just one of those!

[jo]

People.com ( and other media ) takes note of Hugh's funny birthday photo ( aka SLEEPING BEAUTY) --

people.com/movies/hugh-jackman-shares-hilarious-candid-photo-before-turning-50/?xid=socialflow_twitter_peoplemag&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_medium=social

[jo]

On what a beautiful mornin'



It's Hugh Jackman's 50th Birthday!




What is my favorite performance of Hugh Jackman to commemorate his landmark birthday?


It's LES MISERABLES!

*It is based on my favorite musical of all time!
*It is a dramatic musical, combining the appeal of music with the appeal of a universal tale of man's quest for finding the good in himself, penned by one of the world's literary heroes, Victor Hugo.
*It highlights the epiphany of redemption and the epiphany of love.
*It is a film adaptation best suited to film audiences, as director Tom Hooper presented the actors's best acting qualities, with singing complementing the acting.
*It presents Hugh Jackman as the towering figure of a man who undergoes the heroic transformation from convict to respected citizen and to loving father! His acting range is well-displayed and his singing is so well-acted. The two epiphanies of Jean Valjean are well-illustrated in these two songs.






SUDDENLY






His quest for the kind of man he wants to be is the essence of --


WHO AM I ?





His portrayal of Jean Valjean in the film adaptation of the musical won him a Golden Globes award and a nomination for an Oscar ( so many think that he deserved it equally well than the actual winner)...and the admiration of countless people who loved the book and the musical adaptation. According to him, it was the only role that he actively sought and worked hard to get the part. He auditioned for hours, singing all the parts of Jean Valjean. It was the role which he confessed had him a little unsure if he could deliver as expected. It was the role which was a monumental part of his career … and it was my great pleasure to have seen it so many times on the big screen! Thank you, Hugh Jackman!





And now to the business of this important day -- October 12, 2018 -- Hugh Jackman celebrates his natal day!

FIFTY
& fabulous !!!






Many happy returns of the day!

Wolverine Roses for The Wolverine!





May the years to come bring you more happiness in the bosom of family and friends, many satisfying acting and performing challenges, and many more opportunities to serve others... and may you find inner peace as you go through the rest of your life!


Jo

[jo]

Many messages of love for Hugh!

[jo]

Honorable mentions --

Since we are talking in multiples of 5's --

*2009 Oscars Opening Number
*The Prestige
*Kate and Leopold
*Prisoners
*Back on Broadway

Jo

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]