The Boy from Oz (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for The Boy from Oz (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Standing Ovation for Hugh!
Hit: 5 Stars
Since I moved to the NYC-metro area, I've been lucky enough to have seen many great Broadway performers and shows. Brian Stokes Mitchell; Bernadette Peters; Craig Bierko; Marin Mazzie; "Assassins"; "Les Miserables"; "Phantom of the Opera". But only once have I ever seen a show where the leading man received a standing ovation BEFORE the show was even over. And that man was Hugh Jackman, who presents the most powerful performance in "The Boy From Oz." Even from my nose-bleed seat in the third-to-the-last-row, I felt like he was talking right to me and making me feel his story. Talk about a triple threat - singing, dancing, and comedic acting, all done to absolute perfection. His performance translates wonderfully over to the recording of "The Boy From Oz," where I once again feel like I'm sitting in the Imperial Theatre, seeing him dance across the stage, singing powerfully and flirting endlessly with the women (and men) in the front row. And yes, even flirting with us poor people up in the cheap seats during an on-stage costume change. And believe me, I enjoyed the flirting . . . and the birds-eye of the costume change!
While the show beyond Hugh leaves much to be desired, the performances of Stephanie Block as Liza Minnelli and Isabel Keating as Judy Garland are uncanny. Isabel's portrayal of Judy Garland is right on, down to the last twitch and tic of her hand. Just listening to the recording, you would think that you were listening to Judy herself. And Stephanie's voice definitely has that distinctive Liza twang. She certainly shows off her pipes, and proves why she's among the front-runners to replace Idina Menzel as Elphaba in "Wicked."
I give this show 5 stars, not for the over-all production, but for the voice of Hugh Jackman. "X-Men" this is not. Hugh proves that he is the consummate performer with a wide range of talents and abilities. Watch for his jazz album that he will be working on once "The Boy From Oz" ends in September. And hope that he will grace the Broadway boards again soon. I'll certainly be there!
Free Music Review: Magic moments in the theatre!
Hit: 5 Stars
You have to have seen the show to put this cast recording into the full emotional context of how Peter Allen's life and music have been portrayed on stage! Hugh Jackman's highly acclaimed performance ( conceded now as frontrunning for the 2003 Tony awards) brings to life the story of Peter - and he does it with great acting, appealing singing, solid dancing skills, and sheer charisma. His rapport and engaging manner with the audience wins him fans, from the show's critics and audience alike.The songs in the album are presented in the context of the rewritten book of the musical, brought to life by wonderful emotive and vocal performances by Hugh and his amazing supporting cast. He brings such tenderness to the bonus track Tenterfield Saddler ( cut from the show but for good reasons), brings the audience to an emotional high with Once Before I Go ( often ended by a rare standing ovation before the end of a show), delights with the joyous or poignant displays in his duets with Judy, Liza, and Greg. His I Go to Rio is such an awesome spectacle you feel like doing the latin dance it evokes. Sadly, the BI-COASTAL number on the disc does not include the now famous audience interaction scenes which have become one the show's most enjoyable moments. Neither does the album fully capture the joyous spirit of Not The Boy Next Door and Everything Old Is New Again. But that is not the fault of this well-conceived album - you simply have to view the performance to capture the visual and vocal appeal of the musical score and its settings... Stephanie Block also delivers impressively in her numbers and Jarrod Emick imbues I Honestly Love You with such honest emotions...But my favourite song is turning out to be ALL THE LIVES OF ME - sung by Hugh with such a wry and poignant expression, one can almost feel the regrets and the joys which marked the life of Peter Allen.
Get the cast album - even better, save like mad and go to New York for that evening of pure entertainment. I have done it - no less than 6 times!
Free Music Review: Love this recording!
Hit: 5 Stars
Since getting my hands on this CD the day it was released, I have listened to it at least a hundred times and love it each and every time. Having been privileged to see the Broadway musical several times, I must say that Hugh Jackman is pure magic on that stage. He puts his heart and soul into his performance as Peter Allen, and it comes through on this recording. Particularly in "Once Before I Go", which is a real tear-jerker. I must heartily disagree with the assessment by the Aussie "reviewer" from Perth. I own the Aussie cast CD of "The Boy From Oz" and now that I have the Broadway recording, I doubt that I will ever listen to the Aussie one again. From the start I have disliked McKenney but listened to the CD to familiarize myself with Allen's music. On the Broadway recording, Hugh Jackman gives highly emotional renditions of "The Lives of Me", "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage", "Love Don't Need A Reason", the afore-mentioned "Once Before I Go", "I Still Call Australia Home" --- and has such fun with numbers like "Love Crazy" and "I Go to Rio". Hugh is an incredible performer, on stage, in movies, and it certainly shows on this recording. Not only do I recommend this CD, but I strongly urge you to get to NYC in 2004 to see this show, starring the most dynamic star to hit Broadway in years.
Free Music Review: My Introduction to Peter Allen
Hit: 5 Stars
I got this CD as part of membership package in a music club simply because I liked Hugh Jackman's rendition of "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage." I'm glad I did! I've heard Jackman sing before when I caught his performance of "Oklahoma!" on PBS, and while he is not as good in this performance, it's still fantastic. I have to admit that I knew little of Peter Allen and the only song of his I remembered was "I Go To Rio." On the performances, Jackman is great as Peter Allen, but Isabel Keating as Judy Garland and Stephanie J. Block as Liza Minnelli are the real stars of this CD; and I wholeheartedly disagree with Amazon's reviewer that their imitations of Judy and Liza's vocal styles are distracting. If anything, it adds to passion of their songs. Keating on "All I Wanted Was The Dream" and "Only an Older Woman" is just wonderful. Block really shines on "She Loves to Hear the Music" and sounds so much like Liza it's uncanny. As to Jackman, he's great, but his rendition of some songs just doesn't sound right -- almost like they were out of his range. He really shines on three songs: "Quiet Please, There's A Lady on Stage," a loving tribute to Judy Garland, as well as "I Still Call Australia Home" and "I Go To Rio." This CD also includes a bonus track "Tenterfield Saddler," which really highlights Jackman's talent. I you like a good Broadway musical and Peter Allen songs, this is a must-have.Free Music Review: This Show Is A Must-SEE!
Hit: 5 Stars
I had the opportunity to see this show on November 25, 2003 ... Hugh Jackman encompasses Peter Allen to a "T"! His performance, as well as his supporting cast, give a tremendous performance, very reminiscent of Peter himself, with a little of Hugh brought in for dramatic flair (Peter was not so much an actor, but a showman, and he was dynamite!). The performances in the show, along with this recording, allow the listener to hear Peter's life through his music. The usage of his material is quite introspective, as dramatized on stage. After seeing the show, you as the listener, can remember songs you never realized Peter had written. "Love Don't Need A Reason", for example, was written specifically for use by AIDS/HIV charities, and debuted on the Geraldo Rivera talk show in the 1980s. How it is placed in the show, as well as the meaning to Peter's life, are both heartfelt and touching, and anyone who has a heart should feel something from this performance, especially anyone who has has experienced prejudice of any kind. Often, critics tend to not know their material when reviewing an artist, a play, or a CD; Mr. Allen's material is some that we should all recognize, unless you've been in a coma for the last 25 years. If simply for a "greatest hits" collection, this one is a keeper! And, if you can make it to NY, get tickets; you will not be disappointed.