OK, I'm living up to the stereotype. I love a good Broadway Musical. Well, that's not entirely true. I'm a Rocky Horror kind of guy — loved the movie, loved the stage production more. I love American Theater and often lament that it is not a more integral part of the educational process. As a kid I remember my first play, Shakespeare's Othello. Though it was a bit advanced for a kid at the age of 10, I loved it nonetheless. Somewhere along the American journey, we've forgotten to appreciate music, live stage, the arts. I'll save that, however, for a political debate. Right now I want to talk about a soundtrack that has blown my creative mind.
Two years ago last Friday, Australian Actor Hugh Jackman, best known as Wolverine from the X-Men Movies opened on Broadway in "The Boy from OZ". Unfortunately for me I wasn't able to see his amazing performance due to health reasons but that didn't stop me from having the opportunity to see Jackman perform a couple of numbers on television. You see, Jackman brought the life of legendary Peter Allen to the stage. Many had forgotten Peter Allen and his contributions to entertainment in the 70's. His was a story of triumph, rising from the Aussie bush to become one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century. Peter Allen was flamboyant, a hybrid of Liberace and Judy Garland. Oh yeah, he was gay, um, well maybe bisexual — after all he was married to Liza Minelli. Personal life aside, Peter Allen made his impact on the music world with songs like Don't Cry Out Loud by Melissa Manchester; Olivia Newton-John's I Honestly Love You and my personal favorite, I Go To Rio. To watch Allen perform came close to a religious experience and when he died tragically in 1992 I wondered if anyone could ever be that kind of presence on stage again.
Today I picked up the soundtrack to the Broadway Original Cast Album The Boy from OZ. I haven't been disappointed and now I will take you on my journey. As I escaped into the music, I closed my eyes and could see Peter Allen in my mind's eye. Tears came to my eyes. I remembered how much I loved his music, his personality, his very presence. Jackman establishes himself right in the beginning as he sings "The Lives of Me" — telling us that for Peter, "there was nothing left to hide, I come in many colors, assorted shapes and sizes, can adapt to your demands, and if you smile at someone, then I'll just become that one, and throw all the others in for free..." It wasn't Hugh Jackman singing any longer for me. I was back listening to Peter Allen. Progressing through the soundtrack I became lost in Peter's evolution. Coming from Australia, meeting Judy Garland, marrying Liza. Sure, a lot of you aren't Judy or Liza fans but their contribution to what made Peter Allen what he was can't be discounted. Once you get through the Garland/Minelli years you see the real Peter come through in "Not the Boy Next Door," the final number in Act I.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Davis
Awesome. Jackman became Allen during his run with TBFO -- his Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical was most deserved. And yes, the soundtrack is superb.
2 - claud
We were fortunate enough to see Jackman in BFO twice. A life resume experience to be sure. Peter Allen's gusto for life made us realize we had lost that in our own daily life in the rat race. We have been having Peter Allen Friday Evening celebrations every Friday since we returned from NYC a year ago last July. Frequently, these celebrations include dancing with maracas to "I go to Rio". And even friends who didn't get to go to the play - have come to enjoy letting their hair down. My husband actually cried during the play. I have given the CD to many friends and family members - everyone love it.
Thanks Hugh for bringing the memory and inspiration of Peter back into our lives.
3 - kristie
Peter Allen was a good man of course I never met him he died one year before I was bofrn butt my teacher tells my class and I all about him peter allen died of aids poor poor peter
4 - Evan
yes i know Kristie i have an old album of Peter Allens and also i would like to start listening to him im also gonna print out a paper figure of him to go with Neil Diamond Barry Manilow and Neil Sedaka