| The Boy From Oz News: |
| Once upon a time, the greatest hope of an abundantly talented Broadway star was to have a show written just for him, one tailored to his unique gifts. Great jokes, great songs, a scorching 11 o'clock number to bring down the house... All of those things could combine, for just a couple of hours, to make the star look like the most talented man in the world.
Those days are gone now, and I offer up The Boy From Oz as proof that the dazzling star vehicle of yesteryear is deader than... well, The Boy From Oz. While pretending to celebrate pop icon Peter Allen and the wonderful star playing him, Hugh Jackman, the show succeeds at doing little more than paying tribute to the accepted mediocrity so prevalent on today's Broadway stages. |
| More The Boy From Oz News: |
| Accordingly, there's very little original about The Boy From Oz. It's a typical show-biz bio story, with the twist that it starts in Australia and moves to New York. It chronicles Allen's relationships and eventual death from AIDS, all while smiling, dancing and singing songs you've known for years. There's almost nothing here you haven't seen before.
Except, that is, for Jackman. He dances and sings up a storm, mimicking Allen's flamboyant gestures, hip swivels, vocal inflections, and impromptu-appearing dance steps with vivid, piquant precision. He's got a mammoth singing and dancing load, which he carries with the same effortless zeal as he does his easygoing manner and ingratiating grin. If he never makes you forget Allen, he is every bit a superstar, and that's good enough. |