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Post by jo on Sept 18, 2020 19:13:41 GMT -5
The naysayers keep blasting the marquee design... they seem to be doing it out of malice. But I have always remembered license plates bearing that color combination -- It turns out that the orange and blue are NYC's official colors on its flag ( adopted in 1915).  New York City is not RIVER CITY...but this story of Harold Hill (not his true name, according to some reports  ) takes place on NYC's arguably most famous street, Broadway ( which is also nicknamed The Great White Way). New York City has 3 of the most famous streets known world-wide. If you're looking for business & finance -- there is WALL STREET If you're looking for temples of fashion and elegance -- there is FIFTH AVENUE ( where you can find the most famous Christmas tree in the world, at Rock Center) But if you're looking for grand scale entertainment -- there is BROADWAY! The WinterGarden Theatre is literally on the street called BROADWAY ( actually, very few theatres are on the street called Broadway)! I like to think that this revival of The Music Man is also now a celebration of New York City rising after the strange world of the pandemic! Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 18, 2020 21:11:59 GMT -5
The Twitter account of The Music Man finally reopens its pages --
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Post by jo on Sept 18, 2020 21:15:23 GMT -5
It's funny how so many naysayers ( mostly BJuice fans or those who dissed Hugh re social activism) have also dismissed the marquee look -- but then again, it is drawing attention because it looks very different from others! And being on the street literally called Broadway -- is seen by the relatively few tourists who may have come to NYC...and NYC workers/residents -- but plastered all over social media. Not many appreciate that it is a period look, reminiscent of that time when the story takes place. pbs.twimg.com/profile_banners/1080615039353053184/1563992121/1500x500Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 3:15:35 GMT -5
Food for thought -- Why does Hugh Jackman get away ( and very successfully) with playing the role of a con-man? *Deception -- in this little known storyline, he plays a slick Wall Street type who likes to enjoy the night life of Manhattan, taking a naive auditor along with him. He had an ulterior motive but when he was trying to win his confidence, the auditor fell for his magnetic way... falling into a legerdemain trap. *Scoop -- who would ever think that the young scion of an English lord, so charming and well-mannered, hid an evil personna underneath? *The Prestige -- being a magician by itself is fooling the audience with magic tricks. The extra trait was his real desire to be recognized for showmanship and for creating the illusions. *Les Miserables -- the transition from hardened convict to the saintly M Le Maier. *The Greatest Showman - Barnum is the impresario con-man. He had a real desire to bring a show that impresses people of the masses...and by hiring "oddities", he made the show unusual and interesting. No one would ever think that watching a bearded lady, a dwarf but charismatic man, a giant of a man, etc would be entertaining but he made it so. *Bad Education -- the duality of that persona, the super-eager and driven educator vs someone leading a double life and a felon on the side. And best example yet -- the new Laughing Man ad, narrated by best mate Ryan R! From grumpy to full-charm on in less than 1 minute ... and we all ran to buy his coffee  *The Music Man -- Harold Hill ( not even his real name, so they said) came to town to fool people into buying musical instruments by organizing a band for not-so-talented musical young boys. And even persuades a level-headed, prim and proper Miss that he is the man of her dreams (Her white knight)
Why is Hugh Jackman very credible in these roles? Maybe because he puts on a serious mien all the time, breaks into a smile occasionally, and his charisma takes over. He is not always smiling ( shades of Wolverine) and his speech can sometimes be even frightening...yet when he decides to put on the charm, people fall for it. It is the duality of Hugh Jackman's charm as an actor which works all the time when he puts on the role of master conman. That is why he makes people believe he is both a Wolverine and a Duke Leopold! Convict Valjean and a Peter Allen! A Keller Dover and a Curly! And a Logan and a Barnum! Master of deception... but we all fall for it Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 9:41:55 GMT -5
What's the agenda here ...
for such bitterness and malice...
to a classic musical honored by the TONYs, the Grammys and the AFI?
Hope they choke on the bile that that they are spewing!
Jo
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 9:48:34 GMT -5
This is the stage musical and film adaptation that they are regarding with such malicious disdain --
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 13:04:10 GMT -5
It looks like some of the negativity is because this is what some support --
Why don't they put up their own production? Find your own producer and creatives and cast as you like.
It is not as if casting was announced as the type where a number of qualified professionals were given an equal chance to show their talent or work portfolio.
Rudin wanted a project with Hugh Jackman. As THReporter reported it, it took Rudin talking to Hugh around 3 years persuading him to take on a stage musical project ... and they zeroed in on The Music Man.
Jo
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 13:17:41 GMT -5
From a theatre critic and columnist from the UK - who knows what he is talking about!
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Post by jo on Sept 19, 2020 13:44:16 GMT -5
It came at such a good time --
I had to say Thanks immediately.
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Post by jo on Sept 20, 2020 16:51:04 GMT -5
From BWW --
The story of The Music Man recalls that period in time in which these are some of the typical commercial signboards/billboards (you may want to expand the photo) --
A simpler life... maybe, to some, a happier life?
Jo
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Post by njr on Sept 21, 2020 11:31:37 GMT -5
Anytime 1968 or earlier was a simpler, happy time for me! (I was 13 in 1968)
Nancy
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Post by hughmanity on Sept 21, 2020 18:11:01 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Sept 21, 2020 21:03:42 GMT -5
Very obvious that he must be on the way to a rehearsal or a meeting re The Music Man. But the Daily Mail seemed absolutely clueless on why he was carrying those tell-tale signs of a future Harold Hill. The strawboarter hat was Prof Hill's trademark headgear as portrayed iconically by Robert Preston. During the Annette Insdorf session on zoom, didn't Hugh show off that strawboater? In relation to the possibility of The Music Man eventually making it back to Broadway?  Hmm... the new choreography seems to be inclusive of a tap-dance with hat & cane routine ( not in the stage or film version with Robert Preston - unless later revivals have already included this kind of dancing). Hugh's tap shoes are probably inside the bag? Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 22, 2020 20:31:26 GMT -5
It seems tap dance may be an innovation that Warren Carlyle may be conceiving for the choreography of THE MUSIC MAN? Judging from the photo showing Hugh with a cane ( seems like a telltale sign of a possible tap dance number?) -- this fits in with Hugh's skills which has become a trademark for his musical shows (Back on Broadway. TheManTheMusicTheShow). Interesting background on this musical and cultural art form -- ums.org/2019/06/21/from-margins-to-mainstream-tap-dance-history/#:~:text=Brief%20History,and%20retain%20their%20cultural%20identities. |
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Post by jo on Sept 22, 2020 20:39:26 GMT -5
This number is all too familiar in both of the abovementioned shows -- but it actually came from the original dance number from someone who is considered the true master of dance - Fred Astaire! Now - tap dance is also a hallmark of Sutton Foster's renowned skills on Broadway! I wouldn't be surprised if a tap dance number performed by Harold Hill and Marian Paroo is in the cards for this revival Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 24, 2020 3:33:36 GMT -5
While we may have some lingering pandemic-caused doubts as to when the marching band comes into town ( Broadway) -- this is simply making the heart swell with excitement!
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Post by jo on Sept 24, 2020 4:21:56 GMT -5
In case Hugh misses it --
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Post by jo on Sept 24, 2020 16:43:31 GMT -5
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Post by njr on Sept 25, 2020 12:06:14 GMT -5
He doesn’t have the hoodie wrapped around his waist in the Instagram photo though. And he’s wearing a cap. But he does seem to wear the same outfit a lot!
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Post by jo on Sept 26, 2020 4:03:43 GMT -5
If Hugh is here... Can Ryan be far behind   |
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2020 11:48:01 GMT -5
How often has Broadway/New York City hosted professional productions of the musical THE MUSIC MAN ? First one was in 1957  Harold Hill : Robert Preston It was followed at City Center for a much shorter engagement in 1980  Harold Hill : Dick Van Dyke The last one was in 2000  Harold Hill : Craig Bierko Twenty one years later ( we all hope!), a new revival will grace a Broadway stage ( The Winter Garden) -- Hugh Jackman is a different kind of performer - a strong film actor and a strong stage performer. Known for portrayals in many genres, with musicals successes in both mediums! What kind of portrayal can we look forward to in his stage interpretation of conman Prof Harold Hill... who finds redemption in River City? |
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2020 17:10:21 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2020 17:33:13 GMT -5
If I recall right, the BC/EFA auction for 2 tickets to the closing show of THE BOY FROM OZ was won with a winning bid of $ 15,000! That was in 2004. Sixteen years later, the winning bid for Opening Night to THE MUSIC MAN is $ 19,000.
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Post by jo on Sept 29, 2020 14:40:10 GMT -5
On BWW, some fans had wondered if the previous occupant of the Winter Garden Theatre has loaded out --
Maybe this is also being done now to pave the way for the use of the Winter Garden for any dance labs or workshops or other pre-rehearsals of The Music Man...
or for purposes of configuring the fit of any design templates.
Some shows (like FROZEN) have loaded out earlier than others. The sets could be used or scaled down for any transfer plans of the show?
Jo
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Post by jo on Sept 29, 2020 14:46:39 GMT -5
On BWW, some fans had wondered if the previous occupant of the Winter Garden Theatre has loaded out -- Maybe this is also being done now to pave the way for the use of the Winter Garden for any dance labs or workshops or other pre-rehearsals of The Music Man... or for purposes of configuring the fit of any design templates. Some shows (like FROZEN) have loaded out earlier than others. The sets could be used or scaled down for any transfer plans of the show? Or delays could also be because the show is still looking for or negotiating for the new theatre to house their show? Jo |
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) takes place on NYC's arguably most famous street, Broadway ( which is also nicknamed The Great White Way).
