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Jackman Takes Boy from Oz to Australia Next Year

By: May. 30, 2005
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Hugh Jackman will reprise his triumphant performance as Peter Allen in a production of The Boy from Oz that will play Sydney and Melbourne, Australia next year.

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The show's money-making potential will be increased by its production on an Arena Stage as well as by expanded production numbers utilizing a bigger cast. While the show did terrific business in its year-long run at the Imperial Theatre, it failed to turn a major profit after Jackman left the show to return to Hollywood and the show closed.

Jackman, who won the 2004 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance, wanted to take on the role of the flamboyant Allen against the warnings of his agents.  Fortunately, his desire to return to his roots in musical theatre prevailed. Jackman replaced Todd McKenney, who portrayed the song and dance man in Australia.

Jackman is equally popular as a superstar of stage and screen. He won the 2004 Best Actor in a Musical Tony for his tour de force role as fellow Aussie Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz; he also hosted the same Tonys ceremony. He was nominated for the 1998 Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical for his Curly in the Royal National Theatre's Oklahoma! A musical theatre veteran back in Australia, he played Joe Gillis in the 1996 production of Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne, and Gaston in 1995's Beauty and the Beast.

He will bring a solo show extravaganza to both Las Vegas and Australia next year; more immediately, Jackman will host the Tony Awards on June 5th and will commence shooting on X-Men 3 (repeating his role as Wolverine).

Before it plays the land of its title, The Boy from Oz will be produced in Tokyo next month with an all-Japanese cast.

The Boy from Oz features a score by Allen, and a book by Martin Sherman. In its original Broadway production, it was directed by Philip William McKinley, choreographed by Joey McKneely. Patrick Vachariello was the musical director, while Michael Gibson provided the orchestrations. In addition to Jackman's win, the show was nominated for Tonys in three other categories.







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