Broadway Trivia Question: A-List Actor in a Musical

[dshnookie]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 5:26pm

My co-worker raised the point that A-list actors don't seem to originate Broadway musical roles (this arose from us discussing Jake Gyllenhaal's incredible voice for SITPWG).

As you all are far better versed in musical history than I, I wanted to pose the question. The example that immediately popped into my head was Hugh Jackman in 'The Boy from Oz', understanding this was preceded by an Australian production starring Todd McKenney.

Interested in reading your responses!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 6:20pm

Was he considered a-list at that time?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 6:29pm

dramamama611 said: "Was he considered a-list at that time?"

 

I would say he was. By that point he already had done the first two X-Men films (with the sequel being even more highly acclaimed than the first one), had a Golden Globe nomination for Kate & Leopold, and had finished shooting Van Helsing (which was planned to spawn its own franchise, even though it ultimately disappointed at the box office and never took off). The producers also knew that he was the draw and decided to go dark during his vacations rather than put on his understudy/standby.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 7:01pm

I agree that Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman are exceptions as A-List actors headlining musicals.
Richard Burton in Camelot is another notable one.

[jo]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 7:03pm

By May 2003, the second XMen movie had been released, opening at # 1 in the USA in 3741 screens and grossing $ 407 million worldwide. Also, Jackman became the top-billed actor for that movie, overtaking the likes of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Halle Berry.  Other than Kate and Leopold ( produced by Harvey Weinstein), he also starred in another romcom  (Someone Like You) with Ashley Judd.  

While filming Van Helsing ( which was not a box office disappointment,  $ 300 mllion worldwide gross and opening at # 1 in the USA, but admittedly not a critical success), he was asked to host the 2003 TONYs.  Also, while not a Broadway name, he starred in the Carnegie Hall concert of CAROUSEL in 2002 with Audra McDonald.  He would not have been asked to host the TONYs or be in a Carousel concert, had Jackman not been considered a box office draw given that his known background in the USA was only in films.  Of course, he had already been introduced to international audiences, via the Royal National Theatre revival of OKLAHOMA!, helmed by Trevor Nunn ( who also directed him in Australia for SUNSET BOULEVARD, his second stage production there after BEAUTY AND THE BEAST).  It was while playing in Oklahoma! that he was seen by the first XMen producer Lauren Shuler Donner and by Harvey Weinstein and that may have played a large part to his successful move to Hollywood.

His musical stage background plus his Hollywood success were probably the key reasons for his originating The Boy from Oz on Broadway!

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 07:03 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 7:04pm

Kelsey and Matthew in finding neverland? Or are they not a-list?

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 8:16pm

Nathan Lane & Matthew Broderick in the Producers?

Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig?

Yes, Hugh Jackman was A-list back in 2003-2004 (or at least I considered him to be.) His name was above the title and the show closed when his contract ended in fall 2004.

[jo]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 8:23pm

Interestingly, all of Jackman's Broadway shows have been original stagings ( The Boy from Oz, A Steady Rain, Back on Broadway, The River).  Will the next one be the Broadway transfer of Schikaneder ( Stephen Schwartz as composer and Trevor Nunn as director)?   Hugh saw the show in Vienna recently --

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 08:23 PM

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 8:50pm

The most recent I can think of is this season with Josh Groban. While technically not originating it, he is originating it on Broadway. Don't know if he falls in the category of A-List Actor, but is certainly a name that's selling tickets. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 8:54pm

It used to be quite common, when Broadway musicals occupied a more central place in our culture. There were numerous examples in addition to Richard Burton (one of whose co-stars was Roddy McDowell): Rex Harrison (MY FAIR LADY), Anthony Perkins (GREENWILLOW), Vivien Leigh (TOVARICH), Bette Davis (MISS MOFFAT closed out of town), Shirley Booth (A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN), Fernando Lamas (HAPPY HUNTING), Lauren Bacall (APPLAUSE and WOMAN OF THE YEAR), Debbie Reynolds (IRENE) and Liv Ullman (I REMEMBER MAMA). I omitted the numerous film stars (Ginger Rogers, Ann Miller, Raquel Welch, etc.) who took over roles like Mame and Dolly during long runs.

Some of the stars I listed were approaching the end of their A-list periods, perhaps, but most film careers have peaks and valleys.

 

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 08:54 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 9:00pm

Thanks for the clarification on my question...I truly didn't realize that!  My ability to keep timelines straight is practically non-existant. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 9:12pm

Obviously it wasn't an original production, but Daniel Radcliffe was a pretty big name and pretty big deal when he did the revival of H2$ a few years ago. I realize his work was tied almost entirely to one role, but it was arguably one of the most recognized movie roles of the early/mid aughts

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 9:15pm

Not a problem, dramamama, I had to pull up both ibdb and imdb to check the timelines myself for Jackman's movies and The Boy from Oz.

 

I would attribute part of the reason that you don't see as many A-list Hollywood actors headlining new musicals on Broadway these days is that the timelines are now so much more extended than they used to be in regards to the development of a new musical. Many musicals now go through years of development between readings, workshops, and pre-Broadway productions (whether that be Off-Broadway or out of town tryouts). 

[jo]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 9:43pm

Wasn't that the case as to why Jackman eventually pulled out of HOUDINI? He was attached to the project since around 2009 but had to pull out in 2014 or something close to that because he does have a busy career. I think he opted to do THE RIVER on Broadway when he became free of his commitment, but after he filmed another movie ( PAN).

Interestingly, the development period for new movie musicals may even be longer because the genre is considered risky in the movie business. His new movie musical THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is only filming now ( for a Christmas Day release this year), after he was attached to it since also around 2009. Fortunately, that long process resulted in the designation of PASEK and PAUL as the only composers for the musical score.  And the timing was great to be able to get Michelle Williams ( as Charity Barnum) and Zac Efron ( as the ringmaster/protégé ) in the cast. I remember that their final reading for Fox execs ( Fox will be the first major studio both producing and distributing an original movie musical in decades) in February 2016 was done with Broadway actors singing the parts ( Keala S who was also cast in the movie, Jeremy Jordan singing the parts of Jackman, who was there but nursing a post-surgical condition for  skin cancer, and Efron,  Cynthia Erivo, Caroline Bowman, etc).  When actors have busy careers elsewhere ( film/TV/recording and concerts, etc) it is fairly difficult to get a fairly long commitment from them to originate a musical on Broadway.

It is much easier for film actors to handle original straight plays because it could mean a much shorter development period. Also, not all film actors who tread the boards can handle musical theatre roles.

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 09:43 PM