But Jackman started in theater--it's not a crossover.

It's a crossover in the sense that he's full of great potential news inches for Broadway -- he's bringing his American movie audience with him when he hits Broadway for the first time. It mightn't have helped him seal the role, since it certainly seems he has mad skillz, but I'm sure it was a lot easier for him to get a shot at a starring role on Broadway than if he hadn't had a high profile somewhere else.

I don't think I'm being overly harsh about show business -- Sean Combs is onstage with actual actors, after all.

I'd pretty much describe a MOTW ep from earlier in the run -- the gang fighting some scary thing, with quips along the way, etc.

Ahh. I do think you're more statistically supported there, though. Not only are there few (if any) episodes without quips and monsters, there are few shows to confuse it with based on those -- both characteristic and differentiating.

Upon thinking, I figured Denzel's roles weren't that different from many other actors', and not overly similar to each other either.

I'm sure it was a lot easier for him to get a shot at a starring role on Broadway than if he hadn't had a high profile somewhere else.

More than that -- they delayed the show so he could film Van Helsing.

Upon thinking, I figured Denzel's roles weren't that different from many other actors', and not overly similar to each other either.

Sure. He's done many more different kind of things than, say, Meg Ryan in the mid eighties to late nineties. But there still are a bunch where he's played A Good Man, often in some kind of uniform.

I don't think I'm being overly harsh about show business

You're not. One of the most unfortunate trends in the Broadway business these days, especially when it comes to the musical scene, is the promotion of big names to roles they have absolutely no right playing, for the extra ticket sales. The worst offense I've experienced personally was the star of "Ed" playing the lead in Urinetown, about a year and a month after it opened - most of the original cast was still there, but the main character SUCKED!

Currently, Scary Spice is playing Mimi in Rent, Joey Fatone having moved from his role in Rent to one in something else (forgotten what).

Molly Ringwald was surprisingly good as the main chick in Cabaret, but it still speaks to the evil that she had the part.

Nonetheless, there are some 'movie' actors who totally deserve their spots on the Broadway stage - Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Antonio Banderas, and, now, Hugh Jackman spring directly to mind.

I was waiting for Dana to bring the bitchslap.

New Yorkers are thrilled to cut movie stars down to size when they try Broadway. If Jackman had been anything less than brilliant, the reviews would have shot the show down the next day. It was more like discovering that Michael Jordan could tapdance as well as Savion Glover.

Bitchslap me for asking a question? I'm glad she didn't. However am I going to learn if I get beaten up for asking an innocent question?

For asking a question, no. For impugning the Radiance that Is Hugh? Quite possibly.

Now, I know this is going to be weird coming from me, but...if that's impugning, you may very well need to gain some distance from the imaginary people.

I am going to go watch Play It Again,Sam while eating homemade strawberry creme fraiche ice cream. Earlier today we watched Casablanca. This is the One True Double Feature.

I don't bitchslap. I share the love.

Please don't come at me with a baseball bat, hammer, or knife.