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http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/63405.htm
A HUGH AND CRY
By MICHAEL RIEDEL
March 22, 2006 -- A SPIRITED battle has broken out be hind the scenes for the services of Hugh Jackman, Broadway's top leading man.
Jackman's talents and tremendous box-office appeal are being sought by both the Shubert Organization, Broadway's leading landlord and the most powerful institution in the American theater, and Marc Platt, who, as the producer of the blockbuster "Wicked" and the Julia Roberts vehicle "Three Days of Rain," has emerged as one of the most influential independent producers on Broadway.
A couple of week ago, I reported that Jackman was pretty close to signing up for Platt's revival of Rodgers and Hart's "Pal Joey," scheduled to open on Broadway next year.
At the same time, Jackman was fielding an offer from the Shuberts to star in a revival of "Stop the World - I Want to Get Off."
Once the Shuberts got wind of Jackman's flirtation with "Pal Joey," they mounted a full-court press.
Shubert chief Gerald Schoenfeld, a persuasive and charming potentate to whom an actor says "no" at his own peril, was on the phone to Jackman, making the case for "Stop the World."
His efforts seem to have stalled Jackman's march to "Pal Joey" - at least for the time being.
"Hugh is very fond of Gerry," says a theater source. "So it's not just a question of turning down a powerful man, but also a friend."
But Platt, no slouch in the persuasive department, remains confident he'll be able to land Jackman, theater sources say.
After all, he's offering one of the best roles in the musical theater - Joey Evans, the handsome, gold-digging heel.
It's also a role Jackman has long wanted to play.
In addition, the score to "Pal Joey" is brimming with standards - "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "I Could Write a Book," "You Mustn't Kick It Around," as well as "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "My Funny Valentine," which were added to the movie starring Frank Sinatra.
"Stop the World," on the other hand, has the timeless "What Kind of Fool Am I?" but not much else in the way of standards.
Leslie Bricusse, who wrote the score with Anthony Newley, has agreed to write some new songs for the revival, but whether he can still crank out hit tunes is a gigantic question mark.
His last go-around on Broadway was "Jekyll & Hyde," for which he wrote the lyrics, and that does not inspire confidence (from the song "This Is the Moment": "Every endeavor/I have made ever/Is coming into play/Is here and now today" - yikes!).
Theater insiders are betting that, in the end, Jackman will make his triumphant return to Broadway in "Pal Joey" rather than "Stop the World."
It's simply a better show.
But all of Broadway will be watching to see how the musical theater's favorite leading man turns down the mighty Shuberts and still remains in their good graces.
A HUGH AND CRY
By MICHAEL RIEDEL
March 22, 2006 -- A SPIRITED battle has broken out be hind the scenes for the services of Hugh Jackman, Broadway's top leading man.
Jackman's talents and tremendous box-office appeal are being sought by both the Shubert Organization, Broadway's leading landlord and the most powerful institution in the American theater, and Marc Platt, who, as the producer of the blockbuster "Wicked" and the Julia Roberts vehicle "Three Days of Rain," has emerged as one of the most influential independent producers on Broadway.
A couple of week ago, I reported that Jackman was pretty close to signing up for Platt's revival of Rodgers and Hart's "Pal Joey," scheduled to open on Broadway next year.
At the same time, Jackman was fielding an offer from the Shuberts to star in a revival of "Stop the World - I Want to Get Off."
Once the Shuberts got wind of Jackman's flirtation with "Pal Joey," they mounted a full-court press.
Shubert chief Gerald Schoenfeld, a persuasive and charming potentate to whom an actor says "no" at his own peril, was on the phone to Jackman, making the case for "Stop the World."
His efforts seem to have stalled Jackman's march to "Pal Joey" - at least for the time being.
"Hugh is very fond of Gerry," says a theater source. "So it's not just a question of turning down a powerful man, but also a friend."
But Platt, no slouch in the persuasive department, remains confident he'll be able to land Jackman, theater sources say.
After all, he's offering one of the best roles in the musical theater - Joey Evans, the handsome, gold-digging heel.
It's also a role Jackman has long wanted to play.
In addition, the score to "Pal Joey" is brimming with standards - "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "I Could Write a Book," "You Mustn't Kick It Around," as well as "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "My Funny Valentine," which were added to the movie starring Frank Sinatra.
"Stop the World," on the other hand, has the timeless "What Kind of Fool Am I?" but not much else in the way of standards.
Leslie Bricusse, who wrote the score with Anthony Newley, has agreed to write some new songs for the revival, but whether he can still crank out hit tunes is a gigantic question mark.
His last go-around on Broadway was "Jekyll & Hyde," for which he wrote the lyrics, and that does not inspire confidence (from the song "This Is the Moment": "Every endeavor/I have made ever/Is coming into play/Is here and now today" - yikes!).
Theater insiders are betting that, in the end, Jackman will make his triumphant return to Broadway in "Pal Joey" rather than "Stop the World."
It's simply a better show.
But all of Broadway will be watching to see how the musical theater's favorite leading man turns down the mighty Shuberts and still remains in their good graces.
Hugh has such an awesome personality among the ladies. 
I just noticed that is Patrick. I thought it was Avi at first.
