Hugh Jackman shot to rapid stardom wowing audiences from London’s West End to Hollywood’s Big Screen, and has now come to New York to make his mark on the Great White Way in The Boy From Oz. Jackman portrays the late Peter Allen in the biographical musical, lighting up the stage as much — if not more — than the Oscar-winning singer/songwriter himself, with such classics as “I Honestly Love You” and “Best That You Can Do (Arthur’s Theme).” Jackman’s towering 6’2” presence conquers the stage with irrepressible energy, explosive dance moves, and keen dramatic insight (not to mention that he’s a total heartthrob!). His professional cohorts describe the triple-threat as “God’s gift to musical theater.”
Jackman, who’s 35, though born to English parents, proudly claims Australia as his native homeland (as did Peter Allen). While he’s best known in America for playing the brutish hero “Wolverine/Logan” in the 2000 comic book blockbuster X-Men, Jackman is no novice to the musical theater. Before making his entrance into Hollywood A-list, he dazzled Sydney’s stages as “Gaston” in Beauty and the Beast, “Joe Gillis” in Sunset Boulevard, and then (in London) as “Curly” in Trevor Nunn’s acclaimed production of Oklahoma! After observing Jackman’s astounding talent as “Curly,” X-Men director Bryan Singer knew he’d found the perfect “Wolverine.” The role had originally been offered to Dougray Scott, whose commitment to filming Mission Impossible 2 made him unavailable. John Travolta also noticed the dashing Aussie, personally handpicking him to co-star as his sidekick hacker in the 2001 movie Swordfish. Amidst his booming popularity, Jackman somehow managed to squeeze in the filming of Kate and Leopold with Meg Ryan and Someone Like You with Ashley Judd that same year.
However, Jackman doesn’t accept every offer thrown his way. For example, he declined the lead in Chicago before Richard Gere took it over (which Jackman now regrets) because he thought he was too young for the role. He also regrets turning down his current role in The Boy From Oz when it was first produced in Sydney. Thankfully, he jumped on the opportunity when it was offered a second time on Broadway.
"There’s so much adrenaline that hits you in the show ... you live like a nun."
Jackman’s notorious self-discipline explains how he can steadily deliver eight electric performances a week. However, no amount of fervor takes precedence over the commitment this devoted father and husband makes to his family.
Jackman and actress/director Deborra-Lee Furness proclaim that it was love at first sight when they worked on Corelli, an Australian TV prison drama, in 1995. The couple married the following year; and in 2000, they adopted their now three-year-old son, Oscar Maximillian. The young family rents an apartment in Greenwich Village, and are now looking to buy, embracing New York enthusiastically as their permanent nest. Little Oscar is beginning the nursery program at the School of Practical Philosophy—which his proud parents also attend weekly, claiming its precepts (such as, “there is truth in all religious/philosophical scriptures”) as the “backbone” of their lives. More proof that these fresh New Yorkers are here to stay is that — while stars usually make Broadway appearances for runs that last a few months — Jackman has committed himself to The Boy from Oz for at least a year.
Jackman’s love affair with the performing arts has been full of surprising turns since his childhood. His love for musicals ironically began when his father (a conservative born-again Christian) took him to see La Cage aux Folles. Jackman told The Advocate that he remembers sitting in the audience and thinking, “‘Does Dad know that this is about two gay men?’ And of course he did, but he really loved it!” — as did the impressionable, young action hero.
Growing up, Jackman attended a very “straight” (as in conservative) all-boy’s school, where he jumped on every opportunity to vent his natural talent. Nevertheless, he never imagined actually going on to do what came so naturally to him. If anything, he was urged to stop dancing altogether. “My brother mercilessly said, ‘Ah, you poof, you’re gay, you’re gay’ — and I quit,” Jackman says. “Actually, my brother, very touchingly, about five years ago came up and said, ‘I don’t know if you remember, but I’m really sorry for saying that when you were younger, because you should have been dancing.’”
It’s no surprise, therefore, that the story of this radiant star’s youth closely parallels that of a young and gifted lad named “Billy Elliot.” However, rather than run off and join the ballet, Jackman went to the University of Technology in Sydney to follow a career as a journalist, receiving his degree in communications. Thankfully, in his last semester, he registered for a drama class to gain some easy credits. What he got was confirmation that his true niche was a passion to perform.
"Some people have said, ‘Oh, it’s so brave of you to play a gay guy!’ And I think, ‘Well come on! It’s the 21st Century!’ I don’t think it’s a big deal."
After being cast as the lead in the college play, Jackman’s life changed entirely, as he shifted from reporting stories about characters to portraying them. He followed his calling to the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts to perfect his craft. The rest is history.
Since graduating in 1994, every theatrical endeavor Jackman took on has flourished, reaped a heap of favorable responses, and left a streaming trail of awards and nominations, including a Green Room, Variety Club, and Mo Award (Australia’s equivalent of the Tony), which he won for Best Male Actor in a Musical for Sunset Boulevard. He also earned an Olivier Award nomination in 1998 for Oklahoma!
The handsome Jackman was chosen for one of “The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People magazine for three consecutive years, from 2001. After appearing as a presenter at the 2002 Academy Awards, he went on to host the prestigious 2003 Tony Awards. We’d bet money that we’ll see him again at this year’s Tony’s, albeit this time as an awardee for his brilliance in The Boy from Oz.
What’s next for Broadway’s leading man? For one thing, we can look forward to watching the golden boy shine in the title role of the upcoming movie Van Helsing, as he battles Count Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and a few other frightful monsters. It opens this spring.
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