Hugh Jackman Dazzles at Hollywood Bowl Opening Night Concert

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Hugh Jackman lit up the stage Saturday night at the Hollywood Bowl, starting the venue’s 2025 season with an energetic performance. Strumming a black acoustic guitar and dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, Jackman charmed the audience right from the beginning.

As the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra kicked off with the upbeat “Crunchy Granola Suite,” Jackman told the crowd, “Little bit of fun!” Inspired by showbiz legends like Neil Diamond, whose 1972 concert was famously recorded in the same venue, Jackman infused his performance with nostalgia and excitement.

Later in the show, the 56-year-old singer and actor honored fellow Australian Peter Allen with a medley of his songs. Jackman had portrayed Allen on Broadway in 2003’s “The Boy From Oz.” He also paid tribute to P.T. Barnum, the character he played in the hit film “The Greatest Showman,” which has become a staple in his performances.

Jackman greeted the enthusiastic audience, remarking, “There’s 17,000 of you, and if any of you did not see ‘The Greatest Showman,’ you might be thinking right now: This guy is super-confident.” The movie’s title song has gained significant popularity, amassing over 625 million streams on Spotify.

The show featured a mix of familiar songs, including “Sweet Caroline,” a nod to an upcoming role where he will portray Neil Diamond. His performance also included numbers from “Les Misérables,” showcasing his impressive range as a performer. With an Emmy, a Grammy, and two Tonys to his credit, Jackman is just an Oscar away from achieving EGOT status.

Conducted by Thomas Wilkins, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra played selections from John Ottman’s score for “X2: X-Men United” before Jackman took the stage. He showcased his comedic side with a remixed version of John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” peppered with playful anecdotes about Australia.

The emotional highlight of the evening was “A Million Dreams,” from “The Greatest Showman.” As children from the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra joined him, Jackman delivered the song with a heartfelt sincerity, capturing the audience’s attention.

Despite the show’s playful and jovial tone, Jackman also mixed in social commentary with clever political jabs that elicited laughter from the crowd. He jokingly remarked about Australia, saying, “Life down under is really quite fun,” before quipping about gun control.

With a mix of musical talent, charisma, and heartfelt storytelling, Jackman’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl proved why he remains an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.