- HUGH JACKMAN – THE MAN, THE MUSIC. THE SHOW.
- The United Center – Chicago, Illinois
- October 11, 2019
Most people know Hugh Jackman as the claw sprouting X-man known as Wolverine. And if that’s all they know him as, shame on them. True fans know him as the Oscar-nominated, Tony Award winning actor whose been singing and dancing for years. And it was those fans that were in attendance at the United Center in Chicago as Jackman continues his very successful tour.
The show kicked off with a rousing performance of “The Greatest Show,” followed by “Come Alive,” both from the very popular film “The Greatest Showman.” While performing, Jackman noticed a fan holding up a sign stating it was her birthday. He very graciously bent down to give her a hug as well as take a selfie with her. He then noted that it was technically his birthday already in Australia (he turned 51 on October 12). While addressing the audience he noticed a young boy down below in the floor audience who was dressed up like Jackman in “The Greatest Showman.” He climbed off the stage to say hello to the boy and received a huge hug from the boy. Returning to the stage, he explained how his first stage musical was “Beauty and the Beast,” then proceeded to perform the song “Gaston.”
He shared some information about his wife of 23 years and then sat down at the piano to play (and sing) “All the Way.” After a medley saluting New York City he told a story about how he had worked on “The Greatest Showman” for eight years before it was made. He also noted how there had been multiple workshops for the film and that Keala Settle had participated in all of them. He then introduced Ms. Settle, who pretty much brought the house down with a rousing rendition of “This is Me.” After performing a song from her upcoming album, Jackman returned to the stage and closed the first act with a few numbers from “Les Miserables,” accompanied by an enthusiastic group of singers and dancers.
The second act opened with a clip of Jackman receiving the Tony Award for his portrayal of songwriter and performer Peter Allen in “The Boy from Oz.” Jackman took to the stage AS Peter Allen and sang a few of the songs Allen had written/co-written in his career. The amazing dancing continued as he performed a song – “A Million Dreams” – which included sign language which was part of the choreography. Between numbers, Jackman continually told great stories and would occasionally wander into the audience to greet concert goers. At one point, he addressed the audience as honestly as I’ve ever head a performer, thanking all in attendance for not only supporting him but for taking the tine and spending the money to do so. This is a man who not only appreciates his fans but goes out of his way to let him know so.
A couple of Aboriginal songs, complete with Didgeradoos helped close the show, along with Jackman doing a moving version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” All in all, it was an amazing night with an amazing talent!
Mr. Jackman’s tour is continuing throughout North America. To see if he’s coming to your town, click HERE!
SET LIST
The Greatest Show, Come Alive, Gaston, All the Way, New York, New York/On Broadway/Empire State of Mind, This is Me, Harder, Valjean’s Soliloquy/I Dreamed a Dream/One Day More, Not the Boy Next Door, Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)/Don’t Cry Out Loud/ I Honestly Love You/ Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage/ I Go to Rio, Tenterfield Saddler, A Million Dreams, Luck Be a Lady/ Singin’ in he Rain/ I Got Rhythm/Steppin’ Out With My Baby/ Sing Sing Sing, 42nd Street/Thunderstruck, Art Song, Inhibition, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, From Now On, Once Before I Go