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| The duality of Hugh, his shit kickin' side and... |
With prime orchestra seats topping $300 each, Trish and I had resigned ourselves to admiring the adorable Aussie's beauty from afar. But preview performances had been popping up on TKTS so we decided to take a chance. We lucked out, and last Thursday we snagged a pair of mid-mezzanine seats for 40% off.
The show itself is just a glorified cabaret act, not even Vegas-worthy due to the lackluster production values, but who cares? It's Hugh-freaking-Jackman! The audience was pumped, cougars and queers waiting breathlessly for his entrance.
Here's the play-by-play:
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| ...his "softer" side. |
The lights dim and the strains of the overture begin - a medley of "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls and "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma! Can it get any gayer? Just you wait, 'enry 'iggins, just you wait.
Hugh's disembodied voice begins the a capella opening from Oklahoma! and the crowd goes nuts. Then he enters. Trish and I and the entire audience gasp, blinded by his beauty, then sigh in unison, hypnotized by his shimmering, white teeth. Seriously, this is what I imagine it must have felt like to be at a Beatles concert. I was surprised panties didn't get flung onstage. I gripped Trish's leg and I think we were both just one breath away from hyperventilating and passing out.
After some opening patter, Hugh goes into his next number, "One Night Only." And just to make sure no show will ever top his on the gay-meter, the evening continues with a cover of "Fever", a snippet of patter from The Music Man, a medley of movie musical numbers and a tribute to Peter Allen with Hugh decked out in tight, gold-lame pants and shimmering gold top. The only thing that could possibly make the show any gayer would be a guest appearance and duet with Liza Minelli.
Sure, the show's cheesy at times (which actually adds to the show's charm) and Hugh's voice is strong if not conventionally beautiful. But he's an incredible entertainer, performer and actor with charisma to spare and an easy and honest stage presence that makes you feel like you're hanging out with him in his living room. It doesn't hurt either that he shows some bare chest and air humps the audience.
I was most impressed by his "Soliloquy" from Carousel. He needs to get his Billy Bigelow on film before he ages out of the role (Hugh currently owns the film rights to the musical). Incidentally, Cameron Mackintosh was in the audience (he's producing the Les Mis movie that Hugh's starring in).
I'm not surprised the show is selling out, Hugh's appeal crosses every demographic - straight gals want to fuck him, gay men want to get fucked by him and straight men want to be him.
My one complaint? Lose that long-haired brunette chorus girl. She's dead weight and fell out of at least three turns at the performance we saw. You have to suck pretty bad to pull focus from Hugh.
My friend, Chris, the business rep for AGVA, had been fighting to keep the show - clearly a variety show - under AGVA's jurisdiction. Sadly, Actors' Equity yanked it away from under him. Come on, now, Equity, way to kick a girl when she's down. Cheer up, AGVA, at least you still have The Radio City Christmas Show.
Broadhurst Theatre
Thursday, November 3
8pm performance
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