Never Say Never Again!

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Hugh Jackman

Jackman, Hugh Jackman.


Since my idea of Vegas was formed entirely from old Rat Pack movies andconcerts, I had always wanted to visit and experience The Strip. I went to Las Vegas in January 2002 and I swore I'd never go back.

Never.

I found it depressing, tacky, seedy, and disappointingly cold [weather-wise]. Although I did have some good sushi at Nobu, and I stayed in luxury suite at the Four Seasons hotel, I just couldn't enjoy myself. I think it is because I don't gamble (lose you entire saved allowance once at the Midway at the CNE and you're cured forever!).

I had really great tickets for the Rick Springfield show at the MGM Grand, courtesy of one of my husband's work "associates". I was pretty excited to go and see a real Vegas show, but it was just awful. Vocal tracks, music too darn loud, lame jokes (hey, I can get that in Toronto -- just kidding folks!). Rick did look good after all those years of wishing he had Jesse's girl, but the whole thing felt too lame.

However I did get a fantastic backstage tour by one of the female dancers in the show (she was dating the work "associate" whom she constantly called "baby", and whom she eventually left for an Italian "count" after she got her breast implants: Yeesh!) and saw all the costumes and machinery it takes to run one of these suckers, so all was not lost. The dancer said she was just doing this until she could get a gig on Broadway (tell me about it!)

So, I left, vowing I'd never return.

Until I read the news in Playbill that Hugh Jackman is starting a world concert tour (is Toronto part of the world?) in Vegas -- WooHoo!
Hugh Jackman to Play Vegas; Wolfe to Direct

Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman will follow in the footsteps of Peter Allen, the late entertainer he memorably played in Broadway's The Boy From Oz.

Jackman will play Las Vegas, one of Peter Allen's more frequent concert destinations. Jackman will kick off his world concert tour in April when he plays the Wynn Resort.Caroline, or Change's George C. Wolfe will direct the Jackman concert, which will also boast choreography by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall. Liz Smith also reports that Jackman's show will feature a troupe of dancers.

Hugh Jackman received a Tony Award for his portrayal of the late Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. He received an Olivier Award nomination for his work in the London revival of Oklahoma! and an MO Award for his performance as Joe Gillis in the Australian production of Sunset Boulevard. Jackman's film credits include The X-Men,Someone Like You, Swordfish, Kate and Leopold (Golden Globe nomination) and Van Helsing.
This is also the hotel where Avenue Q will play to an intimate 1200 seat crowd. Puppets work best in a Gladiator-sized arena, don't you think?

I read somewhere else that Hugh will be performing there April 30, two days after the hotel officially opens, and that Carol Bayer Sager is writing a song especially for him. Sigh.

Road trip to Vegas anyone?
By Suzy Conn on March 10, 2005 9:58 AM | | Comments (0)


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