Okay theater lovers Wolverine is heading back to the stage but not in a musical this time. Hugh Jackman everyone's favorite Aussie actor and song-and-dance man just announced something really cool . He's teaming up with mega-producer Sonia Friedman to launch a brand new theater company called "Together". And it sounds like it is going to be something special.
'Together' Theatre Company: Intimate Shows Affordable Tickets and Actor Focused Productions? Yes Please!
So what is "Together" all about? Well it sounds like Hugh and Sonia want to create something different from your typical big Broadway or West End show. They are aiming for "intimate and accessible " live theater. Think smaller venues shorter runs and a focus on the raw power of storytelling.
They are joining forces with director Ian Rickson and together they want to put on fully-rehearsed full-length plays. But it's not just about plays. They are also planning readings panel chats and other events all over the place in the US the UK and maybe even beyond.
The company's core values are really interesting. They are all about teamwork collaboration ensemble casts equal pay for actors and sharing creative credit. It sounds like a really supportive and artist-driven environment. They want to strip things back to basics with minimal sets and let the stories and performances shine.
Why "Together"? Jackman and Friedman Want to Rediscover the Magic of Live Performance
Hugh and Sonia released a joint statement and it really explains what they are going for. They said they want to create a space where actors writers and directors can really "experiment explore and take risks". They want to get away from the usual pressures of commercial theater and get back to the "simple thrilling essence of live performance."
They are not leaving Broadway or the West End behind though. They see "Together" as something that will exist alongside those big productions supporting them in a different way. For them theater is all about the "raw energy" the "excitement of a first reading" the "joy of an unexpected role" and that "shared experience" with the audience. "Together" is their way to share those moments and make audiences part of the whole creative process.
Flexibility is another key word for "Together". They want to try different performance schedules maybe plays in repertoire and let productions "evolve in a spontaneous and organic way". By taking away some of the usual constraints they hope to make theater that feels "fresh alive and ever-changing."
Hugh Jackman Back to His Roots: From Broadway Star to Championing Intimate Theater
Hugh Jackman is no stranger to the stage. He even won a Tony Award for "The Boy from Oz" and was nominated again for "The Music Man". He has done Broadway plays like "The River" (which he actually worked on with Sonia Friedman and Ian Rickson before) and "A Steady Rain". So this new company feels like a natural step for him a way to give back and support the kind of theater he clearly loves.
Sonia Friedman is a powerhouse producer with tons of hit shows running right now like "Sunset Boulevard" and upcoming musical s like "Stranger Things: The First Shadow". Ian Rickson is a respected director who also directed "The River" on Broadway. This trio has a strong track record and "Together" sounds like a passion project for all of them.
What to Expect from "Together": Key Features of the New Theatre Company
To sum it up here's what "Together" theatre company is all about:
- Intimate and Accessible: Focus on small venues and affordable tickets.
- Actor-Centric: Emphasis on collaboration ensemble casts and equal pay.
- Back to Basics Storytelling: Minimal sets and focus on raw performance and script.
- Experimental and Flexible: Willing to take risks try new things and adapt productions.
- Global Reach: Productions and events planned for the US UK and other locations.
- Experienced Leadership: Founded by Tony winners Hugh Jackman and Sonia Friedman and director Ian Rickson.
Get Ready for a Different Kind of Theater: "Together" Aims to Shake Things Up
It sounds like Hugh Jackman and Sonia Friedman 's "Together" is going to be a really exciting addition to the theater world. They are trying to create something that is both high quality and accessible putting the focus back on the actors and the stories themselves. If you are someone who loves live theater and wants to experience it in a fresh and intimate way "Together" is definitely a company to watch out for. Keep an eye out for their upcoming productions and get ready for a new kind of theatrical experience!