A Major Hugh Jackman Production Was Just Shut Down
Hugh Jackman took to social media to share the news of his diagnosis. In a video posted across various platforms, the 53-year-old said he wanted fans to hear it from him first.
This article is more than 2 years old
Performances of Broadway’s revival of The Music Man have been cancelled through January 1st after Hugh Jackman tested positive for Covid-19. The Australian actor took to social media to share the news of his diagnosis. In a video posted across various platforms, the 53-year-old said he wanted fans to hear it from him first.
Check out Hugh Jackman’s full announcement below…
Fortunately, the actor’s symptoms aren’t too severe as he likened it to the common cold. “I have a scratchy throat and a bit of a runny nose, but I’m fine,” Hugh Jackman said. TheX-Men star also assured fans he will do everything he can to get better quickly. “As soon as I’m cleared, I’ll be back on stage, heading to River City,” he said. He ended the video on a sweet note, asking folks to stay safe, healthy, and kind.
This isn’t the first pandemic-related setback The Music Man has experienced. Hugh Jackman’s co-star, Sutton Foster missed several performances after coming down with the virus. She will return on January 2nd, with Jackman expected to resume performances on January 6th. Filling in for Foster was her understudy Kathy Voytko who quickly stepped into the role and smashed it with a stellar performance. During the curtain call following her performance on December 23rd, Hugh Jackman gave a heartfelt speech honoring the often-overlooked swings. He mentioned how they watch from the corner of the room, take notes, and are expected to step into various roles at a moment’s notice. “It humbles me. The courage it brings, the dedication, the talent,” the actor said. He added that the swings and understudies are the bedrock of Broadway.
But without its lead stars, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster who are stuck in quarantine, all performances of The Music Man have been cancelled until 2022. And as the virus makes its way through the cast, all tickets can be refunded or exchanged at the point of purchase. The company also sent fans warm wishes for the New Year in a post on social media.
The Music Man is based on the musical book by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey. The story follows con artist Harold Hill, (Hugh Jackman) who poses as a band organizer to trick naïve Midwestern townsfolk, into buying uniforms and instruments with a promise of being in his band. But Harold is no musician and plans to leave River City after collecting the cash. Things change when Hill starts to fall for the town’s librarian, Marian Paroo (Foster), who is suspicious of his intentions from the start.
Sadly, Hugh Jackman’s musical is just the latest Broadway show forced to go dark as the world endures the latest spike in Covid-19 cases, due to the more-contagious Omicron variant. Other shows that have been cancelled in the past weeks include Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Hamilton, and The Lion King. Tony Award-winning musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations also announced that it would close at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on January 16th. No official reason was given for the show’s planned end, Variety reports.
