The Boy From Oz
is a jukebox musical based on the life of singer/songwriter Peter Allen and featuring songs written by him. The book is by Martin Sherman with the original book by Nick Enright. The production had its world premiere at Her Majesty's Theatre, 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. [1] The production starred Todd McKenney as Peter Allen.
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THE BOY FROM OZ TICKETS
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Plot synopsis
In the 1950s, the young boy Peter Allen started performing and playing the piano. As an adult, Peter is in various early concerts in Australia with his partner. He is introduced to Judy Garland, who hires him for her show. Peter soon becomes romantically involved with Judy's daughter Liza, and they marry. Peter appears in New York City with the Rockettes. As time progresses Peter develops a relationship with a man and his marriage ends.
[2]
Later productions
Broadway
The Boy From Oz
was the first Australian musical to reach Broadway. It started previews at the
Imperial Theatre on 16 September 2003, opened on 16 October 2003 and closed on 12 September 2004, at the end of
Hugh Jackman's contract. The show played 32 previews and 365 performances. Directed by Philip William McKinley, with choreography by Joey McKneely, it starred Jackman as
Peter Allen,
Isabel Keating as
Judy Garland,
Stephanie J. Block as
Liza Minnelli,
Beth Fowler as Marion Woolnough,
Jarrod Emick as Peter's AIDS-stricken lover
Greg Connell, and
John Hill (actor) 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.
[3]
Australian arena tour
The Boy From Oz
returned to Australia from 3 August 2006 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
Kenny Ortega,
Hugh Jackman reprised his New York role as Peter Allen. He was joined by Australian actresses
Chrissy Amphlett and
Angela Toohey, reprising their roles as
Judy Garland and
Liza Minnelli.
Rarmian Newton and
Joshua Waiss Gates, both of whom later starred in
Billy Elliot the Musical
, were two of the four boys who played young Peter Allen in the Australian production. Peter's mother, Marion, was played by
Colleen Hewett.
[4] [5] The show had a support cast of 40 singer-dancers and a 25-piece orchestra.
[6]
The show also featured the vocals of Australian girls' high school choirs from
Penrhos College when in Perth, and, while in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, it featured the vocals of 100 girls from the
Australian Girls Choir.
[7]
Song list (Broadway version)
All songs written by Peter Allen except as noted
;Act 1
- The Lives of Me - Peter Allen
- When I Get My Name in Lights - Boy and Ensemble
- When I Get My Name in Lights (Reprise) - Peter
- Love Crazy - Chris Bell, Peter and Ensemble
(Allen & Adrienne Anderson)
- Waltzing Matilda - Peter and Chris
- All I Wanted Was the Dream - Judy Garland
- Only an Older Woman - Judy, Peter, Chris and Mark Herron
- Best That You Can Do - Peter and Liza Minnelli
(by Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Allen & Christopher Cross)
- Don't Wish Too Hard - Judy
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Come Save Me - Liza and Peter
- Continental American - Peter and Ensemble
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- She Loves to Hear the Music - Liza and Ensemble
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Quiet Please, There's a Lady On Stage - Peter and Judy
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love - Liza and Peter
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Not the Boy Next Door - Peter and Marion Woolnough
(music by Allen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford)
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;Act 2
- Bi-Coastal - Peter and Trio
(written by Allen, David Foster & Tom Keane)
- If You Were Wondering - Peter and Greg Connell
- Sure Thing Baby - Dee Anthony, Greg, Peter, Trio and Male Ensemble
- Everything Old is New Again - Peter and The Rockettes
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Everything Old is New Again (Reprise) - Marion, Dee and Greg
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Love Don't Need a Reason - Peter and Greg
(by Allen, Michael Callen & Marsha Malamet)
- I Honestly Love You - Greg
(by Allen & Jeff Barry)
- You and Me - Liza and Peter
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- I Still Call Australia Home - Peter and Ensemble
- Don't Cry Out Loud - Marion
(music by Allen, lyrics by Sager)
- Once Before I Go - Peter
- I Go to Rio - Peter and Company
(by Allen & Anderson)
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;Original Australian Cast Album track list:
# Continental American
# When I Get My Name In Lights
# Pretty Keen Teen
# All I Wanted Was the Dream
# Only an Older Woman
# Don't Wish Too Hard
# Sure Thing Baby
# Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage
# I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
# (I've Been) Taught by Experts
# Not the Boy Next Door
# (When) Everything Old is New Again
# (Arthur's Theme) Best That You Can Do
# Love Don't Need a Reason
# She Loves to Hear the Music
# I Honestly Love You
# I Still Call Australia Home
# Don't Cry Out Loud
# Tenterfield Saddler
# I Go to Rio
# The Lives of Me
# Love Crazy
# Come Save Me
# Bi-Coastal
# If You Were Wondering
# You and Me
# Once Before I Go