TheMan.TheMusic.TheShow :The MusicalJourneyBegins!(SPOILERS)

[jo]

I knew that Mack The Knife had German origins and was part of an opera, but had never looked up the details --

Mack the Knife
Song by Kurt Weill

Description
"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their music drama Die Dreigroschenoper, or, as it is known in English, The Threepenny Opera. It premiered in Berlin in 1928 at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm. Wikipedia

A Moritat is a medieval version of the murder ballad performed by strolling minstrels. In The Threepenny Opera, the Moritat singer with his street organ introduces and closes the drama with the tale of the deadly Mackie Messer, or Mack the Knife, a character based on the dashing highwayman Macheath in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (who was in turn based on the historical thief Jack Sheppard). The Brecht-Weill version of the character was far more cruel and sinister and has been transformed into a modern anti-hero.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mack_the_Knife


The song seems a favorite with Hugh. The first time I have learned that he sang it in public was during the wedding of his longtime agent Patrick Whitesell. LOL- some say that he was kidding Patrick because agents are often referred to as "sharks" Then he sang it as one of the penultimate songs in Back On Broadway.

But given the lyrics, I am a bit at a loss why the song itself is one of the most popular in popular culture. Simon Cowell even calls it "the best song ever written!"

Some of the lyrics --

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white
Just a jack-knife has Macheath, dear
And he keeps it out of sight.

But seeing Hugh sing this song of German origin and first sang in Berlin, must have pleased the audience

http://instagram.com/p/BxeWrOqoc5s

[ruby]

May 15, 2019 7:03:26 GMT -5 jo said:

I knew that Mack The Knife had German origins and was part of an opera, but had never looked up the details --

Mack the Knife
Song by Kurt Weill

Description
"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their music drama Die Dreigroschenoper, or, as it is known in English, The Threepenny Opera. It premiered in Berlin in 1928 at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm. Wikipedia

A Moritat is a medieval version of the murder ballad performed by strolling minstrels. In The Threepenny Opera, the Moritat singer with his street organ introduces and closes the drama with the tale of the deadly Mackie Messer, or Mack the Knife, a character based on the dashing highwayman Macheath in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (who was in turn based on the historical thief Jack Sheppard). The Brecht-Weill version of the character was far more cruel and sinister and has been transformed into a modern anti-hero.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mack_the_Knife


The song seems a favorite with Hugh. The first time I have learned that he sang it in public was during the wedding of his longtime agent Patrick Whitesell. LOL- some say that he was kidding Patrick because agents are often referred to as "sharks" Then he sang it as one of the penultimate songs in Back On Broadway.

But given the lyrics, I am a bit at a loss why the song itself is one of the most popular in popular culture. Simon Cowell even calls it "the best song ever written!"

Some of the lyrics --

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white
Just a jack-knife has Macheath, dear
And he keeps it out of sight.

But seeing Hugh sing this song of German origin and first sang in Berlin, must have pleased the audience

http://instagr.am/p/BxeWrOqoc5s

If the last clip is any indication, Hugh may have had to back off the hand slapping from the stage during Mack the Knife. There is too much space between the audience and stage areas and it was allowing too large and frenzied surge of women. It looked like a security nightmare. It seemed to scare him the first time in Glasgow ( not fear for his life). Maybe he’s still doing it but the clip showed him just making eye contact and waving. It might have to do.

[carouselkathy]

I have a Masters in Music Ed, but didn't know what a "moritat" was. Perhaps it's because my studies concentrated on primary grades K-5!

[jo]

BroadwayWorld has posted the unofficial clip of YOU WILL BE FOUND!

[jo]

[jo]

LOL - surprised there is no wardrobemalfunction with the way he is "coming alive" on stage

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/BxijmgOgafL

[jo]

Always singin'... in the rain!

[jo]

If people knew what Hugh and his group had to undergo since 2009 to get the movie made, then they can truly understand Hugh's reactions.  The song embodies what this group ( especially Hugh, Michael Gracey, Pasek&Paul) had visions of … their dream for a movie musical that will appeal to the public in a big way. But the dimensions of the success of the movie and especially its musical score was so unexpected that it can bring tears to someone like Hugh when the audience responds with their total affection for this song. It is a song for everyone!


Jo

[jo]

Remember Vinnie? The restaurant owner/manager who sheepishly showed the Wolverine tattoo on his entire back, when Hugh had just completed his first XMen movie way back?

Over the years, there have been other Wolverine tattoos on other parts of the body proudly showed off by their owners.

But Hugh did not expect one of his concertgoers to ask him to sign her Wolverine tattoo on her back.

Here's the clip -- at around 6'56"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fedx80HXVs&fbclid=IwAR2SJqlLplfXlXiduyXjKIuNlI982NhchwotXfnFStnkFCTDWmcHzcn1_xE


Someone later tweeted that the lady is going to have Hugh's autograph permanently copied as a tattoo!

True fangirl






EDIT:

[jo]

A mid-show standing ovation!

A Million Dreams ?

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/Bxk_1iKHtHu

[jo]

He is a most charismatic Gaston -- not exactly the braggart Belle cringed about

[jo]

Having fun, Hugh


Lucky lady

[jo]

Everyone loves...er...Gaston!

[jo]

Especially with this song!

No one in the past who has ever played Valjean on stage gave this song the emotional resonance it deserves. And because Hugh Jackman emphasized the dramatic acting elements, complemented by the singing, it rose to the way it deserved to be appreciated. It is also not a very easy song to sing as well as to put in context - maybe the reason why most Valjean actor/singers do not sing it as one of Les Miserables's musical highlights!

And if you have read the novel by Victor Hugo, this song musically presents Valjean's first epiphany- the song of redemption! The second one was his love for the young girl named Cosette ( "Suddenly"). Both are covered with lengthy passages in Hugo's book!


Jo

[jo]

"You Will Be Found" must have had a profound effect on Hugh himself knowing what had happened to him when he was about 8 years old.


Jo

[jo]

[jo]

A Million Dreams --

This is his song as Barnum!

This is his song as Hugh Jackman!

[jo]

[jo]

The applause went on and on...and on

And Hugh got more emotional...and more emotional.. and more

Again, he must have felt not just the admiration and affection of the crowd...but what the film project meant to him!


Jo

[jo]

Trying to keep his emotions in check!

After A Million Dreams!

[jo]

[jo]

A game audience member

[jo]

Keala did rejoin the tour in Zurich!