Post by jo on Oct 25, 2020 10:48:27 GMT -5
Yes that was the tribute concert which introduced Hugh Jackman to international audiences!
acanofcoke.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/lea-salongas-backstory-hey-mr-producer/
Interesting side stories -- but this one, of course, is our main interest --
Btw, "basta" in our language means "Don't question it - just do what I say"
In another retelling of this episode, I remember that Maria Friedman was also with Lea when they saw and heard Hugh sing -- and Maria was equally very impressed ( swooningly impressed )
acanofcoke.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/lea-salongas-backstory-hey-mr-producer/
Interesting side stories -- but this one, of course, is our main interest --
Pleasant surprise
After one rehearsal for the “Miss Saigon” excerpt, Isay Alvarez alerted me to something special that would happen in the show. She said, “Go sit in the house when the Rodgers and Hammerstein section begins… basta, just do it.” She didn’t say why, but I trusted her, so off to the house I went (we were rehearsing things out of order, so I was still dressed as Kim). As I got comfortably settled in my seat, I heard this big, booming voice come from backstage singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” My entire being perked up to listen. And then, from stage left, there entered a tall, dark and handsome man with a rich voice that was all masculine, manly charm. It was Hugh Jackman (pre-Wolverine), who would be opening “Oklahoma” as Curly at the National Theatre, in but a couple of weeks. Oh, I swooned, as did the other women around me.
After one rehearsal for the “Miss Saigon” excerpt, Isay Alvarez alerted me to something special that would happen in the show. She said, “Go sit in the house when the Rodgers and Hammerstein section begins… basta, just do it.” She didn’t say why, but I trusted her, so off to the house I went (we were rehearsing things out of order, so I was still dressed as Kim). As I got comfortably settled in my seat, I heard this big, booming voice come from backstage singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” My entire being perked up to listen. And then, from stage left, there entered a tall, dark and handsome man with a rich voice that was all masculine, manly charm. It was Hugh Jackman (pre-Wolverine), who would be opening “Oklahoma” as Curly at the National Theatre, in but a couple of weeks. Oh, I swooned, as did the other women around me.
Btw, "basta" in our language means "Don't question it - just do what I say"
In another retelling of this episode, I remember that Maria Friedman was also with Lea when they saw and heard Hugh sing -- and Maria was equally very impressed ( swooningly impressed )