Recently I had the chance to attend one of the many sold-out performances of Hugh Jackman’s “From New York With Love” residency at Radio City Music Hall. As a longtime admirer of Jackman’s career across both stage and screen, I couldn’t have been more excited to experience this live. Hugh Jackman more than lived up to his reputation as The Greatest Showman, the same magnetic energy that defined the 2017 musical. From the moment the lights dimmed, Hugh Jackman’s stage presence was captivating. The show unfolded like a live highlight reel of his most iconic moments, re-igniting the exact spark that made audiences fall in love with his performances.
One of the performance’s highlights came when Jackman reflected on his time spent filming 2011’s Real Steel, directed by Shawn Levy. Before performing a number inspired by the film, he shared the real-life story that inspired the movie’s opening moments, setting the scene perfectly before singing accompanied by the footage. Having grown up with the movie, watching it come to life out of the screen in such a personal way with the new backstory of the real life moment that inspired it is something I’ll never forget.
What made the night so memorable was watching Hugh Jackman reflect not only on his history in film, but also his extensive body of work in live theater. The performance felt like a journey through his career, with Les Misérables serving as the perfect bridge between his cinematic and theatrical roots. After several vocally demanding numbers, Jackman shifted gears, sharing stories of his on-set experiences. His comedic timing was another stand-out from the show, and may have surprised some audience members who primarily knew him as Marvel’s Wolverine. He addressed the elephant in the room when it came to his claw-wielding alter-ego, and joked that audiences may need to take an hour-long restroom break if they only knew him from his X-Men role. His humor was effortless and the whole evening felt like an intimate performance and conversation. Underneath the Adamantium skin of his Wolverine character, Jackman has the charisma and stage presence to hold his own for a night of entertainment.
Many special guests were in attendance for the evening as well, including The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. During the performance, Jackman invited special guest King Princess to the stage to perform a duet from their upcoming film Song Sung Blue, in which he portrays a Neil Diamond impersonator. The two will portray a father-daughter duo on-screen this December. Earlier in the night, Hugh Jackman had already set the tone for this by performing his own rendition of Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” The performance lit up the room, with audience members rising out of their seats as he made his way down the aisles of Radio City Music Hall. The entire evening maintained this energy, almost feeling like a big interactive party event.
As it finally approached the show’s final numbers, Jackman couldn’t resist the opportunity to perform Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York.” The entire evening felt not only like a love letter to New York City itself, but to all the fans who have supported him over the years. The stage was filled with projections of towering city skyscrapers and busy streets, creating the ultimate backdrop for an unforgettable New York night. Hugh Jackman’s performance truly felt as major of a spectacle as the city it took place in.
Overall, “From New York With Love” felt like a personal celebration for Jackman, a tribute not only to New York City, but also to the many chapters of his own career and to the fans who have been there to see it all. The show felt like a heartfelt reflection looking back over his extensive acting portfolio. People oftentimes say not to meet your heroes either, but in Hugh Jackman’s case that couldn’t have been further from the truth. After the performance, I got the chance to discuss the show with him & it served as a reminder why he’s always stood out to me in a world where I’m lucky enough to meet so many talented people. “From New York Love,” captured the spirit of both the city and the performer himself, turning a grand stage into an unforgettable and inspiring night. For more on all things going on in the city, keep it here on NYCityGuys!
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