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The Boy from Oz

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The Boy from Oz
Original Broadway poster
MusicPeter Allen
LyricsPeter Allen
BookNick Enright (Australian musical version)
Martin Sherman (Broadway)
BasisThe Boy from Oz (1996), biography by Stephen MacLean
Productions1998 Sydney
2003 Broadway
2006 Australian arena tour
2013 Lima, Perú
2018 Melbourne
2021 Perth

The Boy from Oz is an Australian jukebox musical based on the life of singer and songwriter Peter Allen, featuring songs written by him. The book commissioned for the musical is by Nick Enright, based on Stephen MacLean's 1996 biography of Allen. Premiering in Australia in 1998 starring Todd McKenney, a revised version of the musical, written by Martin Sherman, opened on Broadway in 2003, with Hugh Jackman in the title role.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 the cast recording won the ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.[1]

Plot

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This synopsis applies to the North American production.

Act I

The musical begins with Australian performer Peter Allen recalling his life story, coming to terms with who he was ("The Lives of Me"). Afterwards, we go back to Allen's childhood in Tenterfield, Australia, where a young boy named Peter Woolnough is performing in local bars for money ("When I Get My Name in Lights"). Peter grows up and joins with Chris Bell to become the Allen Brothers, and they perform in Australian Bandstand ("Love Crazy"). After great success in Australia, the Allen Brothers perform in a Hong Kong Hilton hotel to Chinese businessmen. One evening, another person is watching them from the bar: the legendary Judy Garland. Peter convinces Judy to perform with them ("All I Wanted Was the Dream"), and Judy takes Peter to be the opening act in her concert in New York ("Only an Older Woman").

While in New York, Peter is introduced to Judy's daughter, Liza, and they fall in love ("Best That You Can Do"). There are rumors of Peter's homosexuality, and Judy warns Liza ("Don't Wish Too Hard"). Liza gives no attention to her warning and marries Peter ("Come Save Me").

Peter makes some mistakes, and at one of his all night parties, Liza walks in on him ("Continental American"), further fueling her suspicions that he is gay. Liza is working hard to get her career going ("She Loves to Hear the Music"), in contrast to Peter's excessive lifestyle. Judy dies, and Peter honors her ("Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage"). Liza's world comes crashing down as a result of her mother's death.

Liza confronts Peter on his alleged homosexuality, and their marriage ends ("I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love"). Peter returns to Australia but realizes that he is not who people thought he was ("Not the Boy Next Door").

Act II

Back in the US, Peter has gone solo and comes to terms with his bisexuality ("Bi-Coastal"). He meets the hardworking fashion model Gregory Connell. Greg does not want to be a part of Peter's life in show business, but he falls in love with Peter ("If You Were Wondering"). They soon get discovered by music producer Dee Anthony, and he gets them a gig at the Copacabana in New York ("Sure Thing Baby"). Peter's career takes off, and he wins an Oscar for "Best That You Can Do", in addition to writing songs that were covered by artists Olivia Newton-John and Frank Sinatra. Peter gives his best performance in the Radio City Music Hall with The Rockettes ("Everything Old is New Again"), and is surprised to know his mother is also in love.

Greg becomes stricken with advanced HIV, (then known as AIDS defining illness), and even though Peter tries to help him carry on, he succumbs to his illness ("Love Don't Need a Reason"). Peter also becomes sick with advanced HIV, but Greg's spirit urges him to carry on ("I Honestly Love You"). Liza offers her support to Peter, and they both realize they had successful lives and careers without each other ("You and Me").

Peter returns to Australia and tries to tell his mother about his illness, but ultimately can't find a way to tell her. He then performs one last magnificent concert for Australia ("I Still Call Australia Home"), and witnesses a last flashback of his mother's love for him ("Don't Cry Out Loud"). Peter reflects on his life, realizing he has no regrets, before he ultimately succumbs to his disease ("Once Before I Go"), but not before going out in style with a farewell performance ("I Go to Rio"), joined by the entire cast.[2]

Production history

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Script

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Stephen MacLean idolised Allen, followed his career all over the world, interviewed him many times, and filmed his Australian solo cabaret debut. After Allen's death in 1992, MacLean started work on his biography of Allen,[3] which was published in 1996, entitled Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz, (alternative title The Boy from Oz: The Peter Allen Story).[4]

While working on the biography, MacLean suggested making a biographical film about Allen to producer Ben Gannon, having previously alerted Gannon to Allen's work back in the early 1970s. Gannon, however, thought that a documentary should come first, and produced The Boy from Oz, written and directed by MacLean. This screened on ABC Television in 1995.[3]

After the biography was published in 1996, Gannon and Robert Fox decided to use the work as the basis for a stage musical. The book to be used for the show was commissioned from Nick Enright, and MacLean acted as consultant on workshopping the musical.[3]

Original Australian production

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The Boy from Oz had its world premiere, directed by Gale Edwards, at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Sydney, Australia, on 5 March 1998 and toured Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, playing to over 1.2 million theatre patrons. It ran for a total 766 performances over two years.[5][6] The production starred Todd McKenney as Allen and Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett as Judy Garland, Angela Toohey as Liza Minnelli, and introduced Mathew Waters as Young Peter.

Broadway

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The Boy from Oz began previews on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on 16 September 2003 and opened on 16 October 2003. It closed on 12 September 2004, at the end of Hugh Jackman's contract. It was adapted for the American audience by playwright Martin Sherman, who removed some of the Australian terms (such as "jackaroo") and expanded the role of U.S. characters Garland and Minnelli. The musical played 32 previews and 365 performances. Directed by Philip William McKinley, with choreography by Joey McKneely, it starred Jackman as Allen, Isabel Keating as Garland, Stephanie J. Block as Minnelli, Beth Fowler as Marion, Jarrod Emick as Greg, and John Hill as Mark Herron (Judy's husband). Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and Keating won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. The show also received nominations for four other Tony Awards, including Best Musical.[7]

Ben Brantley of The New York Times panned the show, calling it an "indisputably bogus show", but praised Jackman's performance.[8] The musical recouped its investment of $8.25 million.[9]

Australian arena tour

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The Boy from Oz returned to Australia from 3 August to 10 September 2006 in a new production especially designed for the arena stage (audiences of over 10,000 people), called Boy from Oz Arena Spectacular. Directed by American choreographer Kenny Ortega, Hugh Jackman reprised his New York role as Allen. He was joined by Australian actresses Chrissy Amphlett and Angela Toohey, reprising their roles as Garland and Minnelli. Shardyn Fahey-Leigh played the role of Young Allen with Dylan Speedy. Rarmian Newton and Joshua Waiss Gates, both of whom later starred in Billy Elliot the Musical, were understudies in the Australian production. Peter's mother, Marion, was played by Colleen Hewett.[10][11] The show had a support cast of 40 singer-dancers and a 25-piece orchestra.[12]

The show also featured the vocals of Australian girls' high school choirs from Penrhos College[citation needed] when in Perth, and, while in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, it featured the vocals of 100 girls from the Australian Girls Choir.[11]

Melbourne revivals

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In 2010, McKenney returned to the title role with The Production Company in a version of the show that climaxed with an Allen recording projected on the stage. In 2018, to celebrate the show's twentieth anniversary, The Production Company staged a new production with anachronistic elements such as Aboriginal and rainbow flags. Rohan Browne starred as Allen, with Caroline O’Connor as Garland, Loren Hunter as Minnelli, and Maxwell Simon as Greg.

Perth production

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In 2021, Platinum Entertainment presented "The Boy From Oz" at Crown Theatre - one of the only venues in the world producing large scale theatre at the time. Directed and choreographed by Drew Anthony, and musically directed by Joe Louis Robinson, the show debuted Ethan Jones in the title role of Allen alongside Lucy Williamson as Garland, Elethea Sartorelli as Minnelli, Casey Edwards as Marion, and Peter Cumins as Greg. An acknowledgement of country was presented by Jones as Allen in the introduction to "I Still Call Australia Home". The production included a full stage LED screen with integrated audio-visuals throughout, and concluded with a transition from Jones to the late Allen singing "Once Before I Go".

International productions

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In Peru, the show premiered in May 2013, starring Marco Zunino as Allen,[13] Érika Villalobos appeared as Liza and Elena Romero as Judy . It was the first Spanish language adaptation.[14]

Musical numbers

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Original run

All songs written by Allen except as noted

Act I
Song Performer(s) Composers Source
Not the Boy Next Door Peter and Trio Not the Boy Next Door
If You Were Wondering Peter I Could Have Been a Sailor
Name in Lights Young Peter and Ensemble Legs Diamond
Pretty Keen Teen Peter, Chris Bell and Ensemble The Allen Brothers
All I Wanted Was the Dream Judy Garland Legs Diamond
Only an Older Woman Judy, Peter, Chris and Mark
Don't Wish Too Hard Ensemble Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) I Could Have Been a Sailor
Somebody's Angel Trio Bi-Coastal
Sure Thing Baby Liza Minnelli Legs Diamond
Quiet Please Peter, Liza, Judy and Ensemble Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Taught by Experts
I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love Liza I Could Have Been a Sailor
Bi-Coastal Trio Allen, David Foster, Tom Keane Bi-Coastal
Taught by Experts Judy and Peter Taught by Experts
Name in Lights (Reprise) Young Peter and Ensemble Legs Diamond
Not the Boy Next Door (Reprise) Peter and Trio Not the Boy Next Door
Act II
Song Performer(s) Composers Source
When Everything Old is New Again Peter and The Rockettes Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Continental American
Best That You Can Do Liza and Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach,
Carole Bayer Sager,
Christopher Cross 		Arthur
Love Don't Need a Reason Peter and Trio Allen, Michael Callen,
Marsha Malamet 		Making Every Moment Count
She Loves to Hear the Music Trio Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Taught by Experts
Fly Away Peter Bi-Coastal
I Honestly Love You Greg Allen, Jeff Barry Continental American
I Still Call Australia Home Peter and Ensemble Bi-Coastal
Legs Diamond Opener/Name in Lights (Reprise) Peter/Young Peter and Ensemble Legs Diamond
Don't Cry Out Loud Marion Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) I Could Have Been a Sailor
Tenterfield Saddler Peter Tenterfield Saddler
I Go to Rio Peter and Company Allen, Anderson Taught by Experts
Once Before I Go Peter Not the Boy Next Door
Broadway

All songs written by Allen except as noted

Act I
Song Performer(s) Composers Source
The Lives of Me Peter Peter Allen, 1971 self-titled album
When I Get My Name in Lights Boy and Ensemble Legs Diamond
When I Get My Name in Lights (Reprise) Peter
Love Crazy Chris Bell, Peter and Ensemble Allen, Adrienne Anderson It Is Time for Peter Allen, live album
Waltzing Matilda (in Mandarin) Peter and Chris Banjo Patterson
All I Wanted Was the Dream Judy Legs Diamond
Only an Older Woman Judy, Peter, Chris and Mark
Best That You Can Do Peter and Liza Allen, Burt Bacharach,
Carole Bayer Sager,
Christopher Cross		 Arthur
Don't Wish Too Hard Judy Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) I Could Have Been a Sailor
Come Save Me Liza and Peter Legs Diamond (cut)
Continental American Peter and Ensemble Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Continental American
She Loves to Hear the Music Liza and Ensemble Taught by Experts
Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage Peter and Judy
I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love Liza and Peter I Could Have Been a Sailor
Not the Boy Next Door Peter and Marion Allen (music),
Dean Pitchford (lyrics)		 Not the Boy Next Door
Act II
Song Performer(s) Composers Source
Bi-Coastal Peter and Trio Allen, David Foster, Tom Keane Bi-Coastal
If You Were Wondering Peter and Greg I Could Have Been a Sailor
Sure Thing Baby Dee Anthony, Greg, Peter, Trio and Male Ensemble Legs Diamond
Everything Old is New Again Peter and The Rockettes Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Continental American
Everything Old is New Again (Reprise) Marion, Dee and Greg
Love Don't Need a Reason Peter and Greg Allen, Michael Callen,
Marsha Malamet		 Making Every Moment Count
I Honestly Love You Greg Allen, Jeff Barry Continental American
You and Me Liza and Peter Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) Not the Boy Next Door
I Still Call Australia Home Peter and Ensemble Bi-Coastal
Don't Cry Out Loud Marion Allen (music), Sager (lyrics) I Could Have Been a Sailor
Once Before I Go Peter Not the Boy Next Door
I Go to Rio Peter and Company Allen, Anderson Taught by Experts

Reception

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In his review of the Broadway production for The New York Times, Ben Brantley wrote, "His limbs twirling like the blades of a windmill, Mr. Jackman channels the energy that was Allen with a rejuvenating life force all his own. And you don’t feel — as you so often do with such interpretations — that your memories of the prototype have been blurred. This is a performance that, against the odds, holds on to its integrity." However Brantley went on to write: "...this musical settles for a staleness and a hollowness that even Mr. Jackman's blazing presence can't disguise."[8]

In his review for Variety of the Broadway production, Charles Isherwood praised Jackman but panned the show: "Jackman is giving a vital and engaging performance in this pitifully flimsy musical almost in spite of the material he’s been handed. It’s a sad waste of an exciting talent."[15]

David Rooney, writing in Variety about the Australian arena tour, said, "When he first performed the role on Broadway in 2003, Hugh Jackman’s charisma, vitality and breezy confidence onstage far outshone the narrative or emotional scope of the by-the-numbers biomusical of singer-songwriter Peter Allen. The scales have been tipped even further toward the performer in this pumped-up reconfiguration of the show, playing state capitals in venues of 10,000 seats or more. It’s as much a concert platform for a returning local boy made good in Hollywood as it is a life story of Peter Allen. And that’s no bad thing."[16]

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Jackman's performance of "Once Before I Go" was featured in a montage dedicated to Alex Trebek in his final episode of Jeopardy!, which aired on January 8, 2021, exactly two months after Trebek's death from stage IV pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2020 at the age of 80.[a][17][18]

Awards and nominations

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Original Australian production

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Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2001 Helpmann Awards Best Musical Won
Best New Australian Work Nick Enright Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical Gale Edwards Won
Best Choreography in a Musical Anthony Van Laast Nominated
Best Male Actor in a Musical Todd McKenney Won
Best Female Actor in a Musical Chrissy Amphlett Nominated
Best Musical Direction Max Lambert Won
Best Sound Design Wyn Milsom Nominated

The original Australian production was also received six Melbourne Green Room Awards for 1999, including Outstanding Contribution by a Music Theatre Management.[19] It was also nominated for the Green Room Award for Best New Australian Play.[20]

Original Broadway production

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Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2004 Tony Award Best Musical Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Martin Sherman and Nick Enright Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical Hugh Jackman Won
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Beth Fowler Nominated
Isabel Keating Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Hugh Jackman Won
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Mitchel David Federan Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Isabel Keating Won
Theatre World Award Mitchel David Federan Won
Hugh Jackman Won
Isabel Keating Won

Notes

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  1. ^ Originally scheduled to air on December 25, 2020.

References

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  1. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  2. ^ "The Boy from Oz: Synopsis". Stacy's Musical Village. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c The Boy from Oz (Script of the musical.). Music and lyrics by Peter Allen & others; Book by Nick Enright; Original production by Ben Gannon and Robert Fox; Original direction by Gale Edwards. DSPress. 2006.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ "Stephen MacLean". AustLit. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  5. ^ Boy From Oz Opens Mar. 5 in Sydney Playbill, March 5, 1998
  6. ^ "Peter Allen Musical Bio, The Boy From Oz, Bows March 5 in Sydney" Playbill, January 27, 1998
  7. ^ "The Boy from Oz". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Brantley, Ben (October 17, 2003). "Theater Review; Flash Of 70's Sequins". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Green, Jesse (September 5, 2004). "Theater: Debriefing; Eight Days a Week". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  10. ^ "The Boy From Oz". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 4, 2006. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Rooney, David (August 6, 2006). "Abroad: The Boy from Oz". Variety. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  12. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (February 13, 2006). "Hugh Jackman The Boy From Oz Tour Gets New Director, Cast and Dates for Oz Return". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  13. ^ "Musical de Broadway "The Boy From Oz" será adaptado en Lima". El Comercio. December 17, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  14. ^ "Marco Zunino recibe consejos de actor Hugh Jackman". entretenimiento.terra.com.pe.[dead link]
  15. ^ Isherwood, Charles. The Boy From Oz Variety, October 16, 2003
  16. ^ Rooney, David (6 August 2006). "The Boy from Oz". Variety. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  17. ^ Dalton, Andrew (January 8, 2021). "Sentimental video tribute closes Trebek's final "Jeopardy!"". Associated Press. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  18. ^ The Associated Press (January 8, 2021). "Alex Trebek's final Jeopardy! episode closes with heartfelt tribute". CBC. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "1999 Music Theatre". Green Room Awards. Archived from the original on November 29, 2003. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  20. ^ "1999 Drama". Green Room Awards. Archived from the original on November 26, 2003. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
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