Hugh Jackman brings unforgettable showmanship and charisma to the stage with his new event, Hugh Jackman live concert From New York With Love, running through October at Radio City Music Hall in New York. This residency showcases Jackman’s ability to blend Broadway spectacle, cinematic highlights, and deeply personal moments, all inside one of the city‘s most esteemed venues.
Though most recognize Jackman as Wolverine from more than twenty years in film, this latest endeavor demonstrates why he’s considered among the rare performers who can transition effortlessly between glamour and heartfelt vulnerability. Watching him perform before a sold-out audience earlier this spring revealed that Jackman is both a magnetic headliner and a host who radiates authenticity throughout the evening.
A Personal Showcase Beyond the Stage
The show, launched in January with fans traveling globally to witness it, is far more than a sequence of career highlights. It is nearly two hours of intimate spectacle, mixing grounded storytelling with dazzling numbers. Guests get drawn into a world shaped by Jackman’s deep affection for New York, its culture, and the quirks that make live theater so exhilarating. Even from mid-theater, you can catch every grin and detail, seeing Jackman transform a grand 6,000-seat hall into a space that feels warm and inviting.
True to his reputation for punctuality, the performance begins on time and opens with a vibrant tribute to Neil Diamond—a subtle nod to Jackman’s upcoming film Song Sung Blue, featuring Kate Hudson and the evening’s guest, King Princess. The night kicks off with “Crunchy Granola Suite,” as Jackman channels the musical icon, igniting the crowd instantly and setting a high-energy tone. His sparkling “Sweet Caroline,” performed in an American-flag-themed vest, raises the energy to stadium levels as everyone joins in an exuberant sing-along.
But the evening’s power does not rest only in showy numbers. The crowd is brought to its feet by renditions from The Greatest Showman and Les Misérables, reminding all of Jackman’s theatrical legacy and his enduring skill as a live performer. While age and years spent playing Wolverine have subtly changed his voice, the emotional conviction and depth he brings remain unmistakable.
Interspersed with these musical peaks are heartfelt anecdotes—especially moving is Jackman’s tribute to his late father, Christopher Jackman, set to Alexi Murdoch’s “All My Days” from Real Steel. As the Radio City screens display scenes from the film, Jackman recounts the experience of his father’s declining health while shooting with director Shawn Levy, creating a moment of sincerity and connection that resonates deeply with audiences.
Storytelling and Musical Versatility Define the Experience
The night is never predictable, with Jackman swinging from tear-jerking performances, such as the poignant “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, to buoyant numbers like “I Go To Rio” from Peter Allen’s The Boy From Oz, all delivered with infectious energy. These shifts in mood expose Jackman’s instinctive ability to connect—sometimes through laughter, sometimes through empathy, always through presence. Each song and spoken word becomes part of an experience that feels genuine, as if Jackman himself is inviting each audience member into his personal story.
The humor woven throughout is particularly charming, especially Jackman’s playful twist on John Denver’s
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy,”
which he humorously adapts as
“Thank God I’m an Ozzy Boy”
accompanied by images of his younger years, Australian emblems, and even nods to Margot Robbie. Later, Jackman’s improvisational jump rope routine to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” brings the crowd to laughter—especially as his trainer, Beth Lewis, joins him for a high-kick sequence alongside the Radio City Rockettes, fulfilling her dream in a display of teamwork and spontaneity.
Guest performers add unique, memorable layers to the evening. Keri René Fuller receives high praise from Jackman after her emotional rendition of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman, which draws thunderous applause. Adam Halpin joins for a lively duet of “The Other Side,” keeping spirits lifted. Notably, a Sonny and Cher-inspired “I Got You Babe” with King Princess (Mikaela Straus) sets the crowd swaying like a festival audience, while nostalgia for Woodstock fills the air.
Other musical selections draw from Oklahoma and The Music Man, with the brisk “Ya Got Trouble” standing out. What makes Hugh Jackman live concert From New York With Love excel isn’t only the music or celebrity—it’s Jackman’s capacity for sincerity, humility, and storytelling when sharing about friends such as Gus Worland, memories from high school productions where he played Salesman #2, or tales about people who have shaped his life and artistry.
An Authentic Showman at the Center
Jackman’s performance at Radio City strips away any stage persona, offering a glimpse of a genuine artist who feels most at home engaging with others. The blend of sharp comedy and moving narrative removes any barrier between Jackman and his fans, creating a mutual appreciation that is hard to find elsewhere. He even sits at the piano, crafting an intimate space where true stories unfold, including those about long-time collaborators and industry friends. These stories, whether about Meredith Willson’s impact or childhood connections, ground the larger-than-life spectacle with true warmth and depth.
Radio City Music Hall itself plays a crucial role—its pristine acoustics and relaxed elegance perfectly suit Jackman’s style. Every production detail elevates the show without overshadowing its star. The venue becomes more than a backdrop; it is a participant in the event, matching the energy and magic Jackman brings to every performance.
One Wish: A Wider Audience Deserves This Spectacle
If there is a single critique of this extraordinary live event, it is merely its limited run at one city’s venue. Unlike previous Jackman world tours, Hugh Jackman live concert From New York With Love remains exclusive to New York, even though plans for a London stint were considered before being quietly scrapped. For devoted fans who traveled from as far as Toronto, the concert’s exclusivity is both a privilege and a frustration, as more admirers around the world would benefit from witnessing Jackman’s artistry firsthand.
Jackman’s journey in live entertainment traverses decades, from Oklahoma! and The Boy From Oz to cinematic turns and now the anticipation of the upcoming Neil Diamond biopic this winter. Each musical phase marks an evolution, with this residency emphasizing his status as both performer and storyteller. The show reaffirms the unique excitement and connection that only live performance—anchored in heart, skill, and genuine love for the craft—can provide.
Hugh Jackman continues his celebrated engagement at Radio City Music Hall on select dates from May through October, offering audiences further opportunities to experience his magic on stage in the heart of New York City.
A Night of Unparalleled Entertainment
Jackman’s ongoing concert series at Radio City Music Hall represents a masterclass in vibrant, heartfelt showmanship, blending blockbuster Broadway numbers with memorable film music and personal tributes. Highlights include intimate anecdotes, genre-spanning musical selections, and collaborations that give every night a fresh spark and bring audiences closer to Jackman himself.
The impact of Hugh Jackman live concert From New York With Love will likely resonate long after the curtains close, as fans and newcomers alike reflect on the joy, emotional richness, and uninhibited energy this remarkable artist brings to one of the world’s grandest live stages.
