Hill tells Washburn that he'd be selling them still if somebody hadn't ruined his game by actually inventing such a vehicle! Marcellus has given up his old ways and has settled down in River City to work in the livery stable. Washburn, who knows Harold's real first name is Greg, remembers Hill's last sales gimmick was selling steam-powered automobiles. There, he meets his old friend and one-time partner-in-crime, Marcellus Washburn. As they disperse, Hill enters the scene and tries to rent a horse and buggy at the livery stable. They sing with pride of their contrariness ('Iowa Stubborn'). He finds himself facing River City's Main Street, decorated with Fourth of July bunting and crowded with townspeople.Īs workers move a pool table into the River City Billiard Parlor owned by Mayor Shinn, the townspeople greet the mayor and each other. Harold Hill,' and quickly exits the train as it starts to move. When asked his name, the stranger flashes his suitcase, bearing the name 'Prof. Before the train begins to move again, a salesman who has quietly been playing cards, grabs his suitcase and announces that the conversation has prompted him to give Iowa a try. As the train stops in River City, Cowell, who has been trying to find and expose Hill, mentions that Hill wouldn't get far with the stubborn Iowans. and then leaves town with the collected money before anyone has discovered that he is musically illiterate. Cowell explains that Hill moves from town to town, selling musical instruments, uniforms and the promise of lessons for a boy's band. One of the salesmen, Charlie Cowell, asks if anyone has heard of Professor Harold Hill, a salesman who is ruining the reputation of all traveling salesmen. Speaking rhythmically (keeping time with the movement of the train), the salesmen begin a conversation about the merits of cash versus credit and the ways their products and lives have changed as the result of 'modren' merchandising ('Rock Island'). A railroad conductor announces the next stop, River City, Iowa, to a coach filled with traveling salesmen. Sissy.' Like, for days.The play begins on the morning of July 4, 1912. I said, 'Dad, can I get dance lessons?' My brother overheard, and he's like, 'Yeah. And that was, that became habitual.'Īnd it nearly derailed a brilliant career: 'I really loved dance. And so, I found a way of not really being a bother. What do I need to do in this situation to make everything okay, make sure everything's fine and no one's arguing? Where does that come from? It must come from years before. 'I think – I know, actually – that that was my way of finding security. 'I think, for me, my default was, 'Yeah.' A little. Look for scars from his childhood trauma - and you'll find a chronically 'nice' guy. 'But when I went to see him in June, he would smile, and he was there. 'It's just the first time I've talked about it, so it's a bit hard,' Jackman said. Today, Jackman has a close relationship with his mother, but he had an even closer one with his father, whom he lost to Alzheimer's in September. It was extraordinary.' Hugh Jackman with his father, Christopher. So, five kids in that, and working full-time and cooking and cleaning and all of that. If I think to what those ten years must have been like…'

'From the age of eight, my father brought me and my siblings up.

But nine years later, his mother went back – alone – leaving five children, Hugh the youngest. His parents, Christopher and Grace, emigrated from England to Australia in the 1960s. Jackman didn't come from a show business family. It's easy to see why … Hugh Jackman practicing his Harold Hill moves. At 53, he's taken on a part so physically challenging, he's lost ten pounds since the start of rehearsals. They're too tough for him.' And that's when he goes, 'Oh, gentlemen, you intrigue me!' He's like, All right, and now I've got a challenge.'Īnd so does he. 'He gets off that train because they're talking about, 'There's no way he could do what he does in this town. In the show, so-called 'Professor' Harold Hill is a huckster: 'Harold Hill loves danger,' said Jackman. Pauley said, 'You've got a little Professor Hill in you, a little bit?'

The mudic man