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The Boy from Oz cont.
Hampton Sheet:
How do you keep yourself in such top physical shape?
Hugh Jackman:
I’ve actually gone on quite a strict regimen. I asked a naturopath friend of mine how I could get into peak physical condition. I’ve sort of been training, doing some yoga, and trying to stretch to get into shape. I’ve completely gone off sugar and coffee — and I love coffee—because I figured there’s so much adrenaline that hits you in the show ... you live like a nun.
HS:
What’s it like playing a man who was gay, like Peter Allen was?
HJ:
I don’t think that playing a gay man, or a bisexual man, in Peter’s case, is such a big deal these days. I think that’s a very dated attitude. Women and men both found him sexy. Peter’s sexuality was quite confusing anyway. I have a great vehicle [in The Boy From Oz] to attract people to go to the theater. I don’t want them to think, ‘Ah, it’s one of those gay musicals, is it? Am I gonna get a whole lot of preaching about being gay and what it’s like?’ Because it’s more a celebration of the way Peter lived his life. His sexuality was simply part of that.
HS:
Are you at all uncomfortable, as a straight man, kissing another man eight times a week for a whole year?
HJ:
I’m still frightened that a few fans are going to come in expecting to see slicing and dicing — and they’re not going to get a lot of that. They’ll get maracas and high kicks. And I’ll be kissing my boyfriend, which I think happens about 25 minutes into the play. 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.
HS:
How did you prepare for the role without ever having met Peter Allen?
HJ:
I did a workshop last year, and I started watching tapes of how he sounded and moved. I was trying to find his essence. He would unconsciously stick out his tongue, every once in a while. I suddenly realized I was doing the same thing! It was like, “Well, there you go!” Maybe I was channeling him.
"Peter Allen wasn’t defined by his sexuality. He was way beyond that."
HS:
What did you most admire about him?
HJ:
He’s an icon in Australia—even parts of the country where being gay is definitely not cool. What’s amazing was that, during a time when Australia was homophobic, even the roughest, toughest Outback blokes loved him. He wasn’t defined by his sexuality. He went way beyond that, it seemed to me. Of course, I’ve always felt very comfortable around gay men and women. They generally seem honest and straightforward.
HS:
Do men ever hit on you? And if they do, how do you handle it?
HJ:
Yeah. I’ve never done anything, and never felt like I’ve wanted to. So it’s all good.
HS:
Is there any big difference between work-ing on London’s West End and on The Great White Way?
HJ:
There's really no quantifiable difference. Wherever it is, it’s always hard and rewarding work. So, wherever I’m working in a show, I have to live a very disciplined existence.
HS:
Do you think New York is a good place to raise kids?
HJ:
Yes, absolutely!
HS:
What would you change about NYC?
HJ:
Nothing! I love New York! Broadway’s wonderful! I celebrate every day I’m in this city. Anything can happen here, any hour of the day. You don’t want to sleep because you feel you might be missing out. Where else in the world can anyone have that feeling? New York’s the greatest city on the planet. The only thing lacking here is sleep!
HS:
What’s your take on New Yorkers?
HJ:
New Yorkers don’t hold back what they feel. I think they’re wonderful!
"My brother mercilessly said, ‘Ah, you poof, you’re gay, you’re gay’ — and I quit."
HS:
Do you ever go to the Hamptons?
HJ:
I love the Hamptons! It’s a great place to escape! And they have this great magazine, there — it’s called The Hampton Sheet. Hey, it’s worth the trip out just for that!
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