HUGH JACKMAN

THE MUSIC MAN HUGH JACKMAN DAZZLES

By Robert Massimi

ugh Jackman is amazing as Harold Hill, the charismatic con man who uplifts an entire Midwestern Iowa town, in this glorious revival as American as apple pie. Meredith Willson's "Music Man" is what we need in these rough times. run, don't walk to The Winter Garden Theatre and feel the energy that is this great musical. Where the 2000 version of Music Man was tired and listless, director Jerry Zaks gives this corny 1957 musical a fresh coat of big-time entertainment. The cast is huge and hugely talented with great costumes and sets (Santo Loquasto) and superior choreography by Warren Carlyle. The opening scene could not be more old-time Broadway, grand and glorious as the train bears down River City, and it is where we meet the bigger-than-life Hugh Jackman. As the story goes, Harold (Jackman) convinces the town that sin- by way of a popular pool hall- will corrupt their idyllic town. To save their souls, Harold will sell them a bunch of musical instruments so that they can form a marching band. In a role made for Jackman... he can act as well as keep up with the dance ensemble in a dance-heavy show. Things look rosy for the big con; however, it is up to the town's librarian, Marian Paroo (Sutton Foster) to keep the town from becoming infatuated with Harold. Marian

His not taken in by Harold's smooth talk. This leaves a battle between the locals where the town gets divided between Harold versus the Mayor (Jefferson Mays). In full-scale dance numbers, it feels like the entire town is on stage including kids. Well-directed, these children too are larger than life. A standout among the kids is Benjamin Pajak, Winthrop Paroo, Marian's kid brother. In a classic, big-time musical, a show needs great singing, dancing, and light-hearted comedy. From the singing quartet to the comic blusterer Mayor and the star-struck mayor's wife, Eulalie (Jayne Houdyshell), we get plenty of the latter. Both Foster and Jackman have such wonderful chemistry in this show, they are radiant in the way they feed off each other all evening. Foster's range was impressive in songs like: "Goodnight, My Someone", "My White Knight" and "Till There Was You". Jackman brought the house down with: "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "The Wells Fargo Wagon". With two Tony Awards under her belt, Foster is a serious contender for a third. Jackman, too, no doubt will be up for a Tony nomination in his performance in this grand musical. "Music Man" is for all ages and should be enjoyed by the entire family.