Photo: twitter
Hugh Jackmanis back onBroadway!
The Tony winner, 53, received an enthusiastic and long ovation at New York City’s Winter Garden Theater on Monday night, where he appeared in the first preview performance of the revival of Meredith Wilson’sThe Music Man.
In the video, Jackman appears for the first time on stage as lead character Harold Hill, a con man salesman who poses as a band organizer to sell instruments and uniforms to naïve Midwestern townsfolk. He reveals himself seconds after hearing his name come up in gossip, while on a train to River City, Iowa.
Jackman’s last time on Broadway was for the playThe River, which ran from October 2014 to February 2015. He won a Tony Award for his performance inThe Boy from Ozin 2004.
Meredith Wilson’sThe Music Manfirst premiered on Broadway in 1957, starring Robert Preston and Barbara Cook as his love interest, Marian the librarian. It went on to win five Tony awards, including trophies for both stars and the coveted best musical prize (beating outWest Side Story).
On his own Instagram account on Tuesday,Jackman shared another clipshowing part of the number “Shipoopi” from the show, with the Australian star and Foster cutting it up alongside the show’s talented ensemble to Warren Carlyle’s inspired choreography.
The night before, Jackman posted another snippet to Instagram, chronicling his feelings before the show’s first preview.
“I don’t know how many months—years—this date has been in my head, but it feels like a long time,” theLes Miserablesactor said inthe confessional video. “And I’m just so grateful and so blessed to be here in this position, and so excited to share this show with you all.”
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TheMusic Manofficially opens on Broadway Feb. 10, 2022.Tickets are now on sale.
Its arrival on the Great White Way comes as the ongoing Omicron outbreak continues to paralyze New York City’s theater scene.
Just on Monday, producers forJagged Little Pillannounced it would not be re-opening at all after initiallycancelingshows from Saturday to Tuesday due to rising COVID-19 cases amongst its company.
That same day, the Broadway productions ofHamiltonandAladdinannounced they would not hold performances through Christmas due to the breakthrough cases.The Lion Kinghas since joined in, whileMJ, the Michael Jackson musical, called off performances until Christmas last week.
Last week, nine Broadway productions called off performances, includingHarry Potter and the Cursed Child,Freestyle Love Supreme,Mrs. Doubtfire,Ain’t Too Proud to Beg, andTina: The Tina Turner Musical.
It’s not just Broadway either. Radio City’s iconicChristmas Spectacular Starring theRadio City Rockettesalso went dark after an uptick in cases. They’ll remain closed for the entire season.
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source: people.com
