Hugh Jackman is set to star as Professor Harold Hill in the Broadway revival of The Music Man. The show began previews at the Winter Garden Theatre on December 20, 2021, and will have a limited engagement through January 1, 2023.
Initial Broadway Run
The Music Man was originally announced to open on Broadway on October 22, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down theaters in March 2020, the production postponed its opening multiple times. The show finally began previews on December 20, 2021 and opened officially on February 10, 2022.
When the production was first announced in 2019, Hugh Jackman signed on for a limited run from October 2020 through June 20, 2021. This initial contract was for a 9 month run.
Contract Extension
In August 2021, it was announced that Hugh Jackman had extended his contract to star in The Music Man through January 1, 2023. This added an additional 6 months onto his original 9 month commitment.
Producer Kate Horton explained, “We are thrilled that Hugh has extended to January 1, 2023. There is no one better to lead the cast of The Music Man than the consummate Broadway showman Hugh Jackman.”
Updated Broadway Run
With Hugh Jackman’s contract extension, here are the updated dates for his run in The Music Man on Broadway:
- First preview: December 20, 2021
- Opening night: February 10, 2022
- Final performance: January 1, 2023
This means Jackman’s full run will be approximately 13 months. It encompasses the originally scheduled 9 month run from Fall 2020 through Summer 2021, plus an additional 6 months with the new extension.
Reasons for Extension
There are several possible reasons why Hugh Jackman decided to extend his time in The Music Man:
- The show was postponed over a year due to COVID-19, so he may have wanted to give fans the full run they missed out on
- His performance has received critical acclaim, including a Tony Award nomination, so he may want to continue the role while the show is so well-received
- May allow more fans chance to see the hot ticket show and his sold out performance
- Extra 6 months fit within his schedule before taking on new projects
Cast Changes
In addition to Hugh Jackman staying on, several other cast members also extended their contracts beyond the original June 2021 end date:
- Sutton Foster remains as Marian Paroo through January 2023
- Jefferson Mays continues as Mayor Shinn through January 2023
- Jayne Houdyshell stays on as Mrs. Shinn through January 2023
However, some cast members left the production when shows resumed in December 2021:
- Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo was replaced by Jane Pfitsch
- Remy Auberjonois as Charlie Cowell was replaced by Jordan Gelber
Ticket Demand
The Music Man has been one of the hottest tickets on Broadway since beginning previews in December 2021. The show repeatedly broke the Winter Garden Theatre’s weekly box office record.
In the week ending January 1, 2023, The Music Man grossed $3,871,681, setting a new house record. It was Broadway’s highest grossing musical that week.
With Hugh Jackman extending his run through January 2023, demand will likely remain high to see his Tony-nominated performance.
Critical Reception
In addition to being a box office success, The Music Man has received strong reviews, especially for Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Professor Harold Hill:
- “Hugh Jackman is at his charismatic best as he leads a splendid cast”: The Hollywood Reporter
- “Jackman more than justifies the hype surrounding his performance. He fully captures the swaggering warmth and twinkling duplicity of the role”: Variety
- “Watching his hearty indictment of the barefaced fraud known as Harold Hill, you’d swear that the actor was born to play the role”: Vulture
Jackman received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance.
Future Plans
After The Music Man concludes its run, Hugh Jackman is expected to take some time off before his next project.
In 2024, he is set to star as Enzo Ferrari in the Michael Mann directed film Ferrari. He will portray the legendary Italian automobile magnate.
Jackman has not announced any upcoming theater projects after ending his year-long run in The Music Man. However, given his lifelong dedication to musical theater, it is likely Broadway has not seen the last of Hugh Jackman.
Conclusion
Hugh Jackman’s run as Professor Harold Hill in the Broadway revival of The Music Man has been extended from June 2021 to January 1, 2023. This adds an extra 6 months onto his original 9 month contract.
Demand to see Jackman’s acclaimed performance remains sky-high, making The Music Man one of Broadway’s top grossing shows. After taking a break, Jackman will next appear on the big screen in the film Ferrari.
The return of Broadway legends like Hugh Jackman in The Music Man reminds us of the unique thrill of live theater and why audiences cannot wait to fill these seats again.