Hugh Jackman’s One Man Show

Posted by Peter on Jul 6, 2011 in Featured, Reviews | Comments Off

Sue, Anusha and I went to see Hugh Jackman in his “One Man Show” on tuesday along with probably most of the woman over 50 years of age in Toronto.  If you get a chance, “have a go”.  It’s fun.   It really is.  But more interesting than the show is to listen and watch someone who has, admittedly by way of many fortunate bounces and turns, been able to drive his own destiny and continues to push it in directions that he chooses.

The show itself is mostly Hugh singing with a supporting cast of orchestra and backup dancers inter mixed in with some commentary about his life.  While the commentary was fun, I doubt many people enjoyed the talking moments as much as either the signing or the occassional hints of a shirt falling off.

I, however,  enjoyed them more.

Take for example his story about how he ultimately ended in Toronto.  His X-Men movie has been postponed leaving him with some time on his hands.  His agent calls him up, asking if he’d like to revisit his old idea of doing a one man show.  Hugh says “sure” and the rest is history.

Now this may not sound like much – he’s a famous actor that has lots of money; what could go wrong.  But remember, he could be doing anything.  He could be laying on a beach.  Going out to party.  Whatever.

But he said Yes to a whimsical idea that he had a while back while talking to his agent.

Throughout the performance, you can’t help but think that a lot of it – not all of it mind you since being an actor is more work than it seems for sure – is just the willingness to “have a go” as Hugh says.  It’s being open to the idea.  And having the energy to chase it when the moment arrives.  It’s saying “yes” as much as you can.  Like Hugh says, “You regret the things you don’t do, more than the things you do.”

I don’t know much about the guy really and don’t think he’s particularly gifted as an actor.  But when it comes to “having a go”, he seems to have a lot to show for it.  And most of it looks like success, his “One Man Show” included.