Latest Hugh Jackman Broadway Return Rumor? Pal Joey

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post, that rumors regarding Hugh Jackman's return to Broadway in "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off" is false, and that Jackman instead is "dead set" on Pal Joey. Wicked producer Marc Platt is said to have lined up the rights for the show, alone with choreographer Matthew Bourne, and director Joe Mantello. The original script by John O'Hara is said to be being reworked by playright Richard Greenberg. The show is aiming for a Spring 2007 bow. 

Currently, Jackman is filming the third X-Men film, and soon returns to the Australian stage in the "Boy From Oz" arena tour. The tour will come to Sydney's Entertainment Centre for 5 shows from August 3rd through 6th, Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena for 5 shows from August 11th through 13th, Adelaide Entertainment Centre for four shows from August 24th through 26th and Brisbane Entertainment Centre for four shows from September 1st through 3rd. In addition, some tour dates in Perth may be added. Reports have indicated that Jackman is considering bringing the back show to the US and/or UK as well.

Pal Joey, a musical comedy by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart with a book by John O'Hara first opened on Broadway in December of 1940 starring Gene Kelly and Vivienne Segal. The show enjoyed later productions on the New York Stage in 1952, 1963 and in 1979. The show centers around a roguish nightclub emcee who ditches his naïve girlfriend to romance a rich older woman, who subsequently finances his lifestyle and business pursuits, until a blackmail scheme threatens to ruin them all.

The multi-talented Jackman, who won an Emmy for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards, was nominated for the 1998 Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical for his Curly in the Royal National Theatre's Oklahoma! A musical theatre veteran back in Australia, he played Joe Gillis in the 1996 production of Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne, and Gaston in 1995's Beauty and the Beast. Film credits include the X-Men films, Someone Like You and Van Helsing.