About the work
Musical featuring songs by Peter Allen with a book by Nick Enright, based on Stephen MacLean's 1996 biography 'The Boy from Oz', which premiered on 5 March 1998 at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, directed by Gale Edwards with Todd McKenney in the title role. A revised version by Martin Sherman opened on Broadway in 2003, starring Hugh Jackman as Peter Allen.
Plot
The show traces the life of Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen, from his early performances as a boy in rural New South Wales pubs, through his encounter with Judy Garland and marriage to her daughter Liza Minnelli, to his international career as an entertainer, told through his own songs.
Cultural significance
As the first Australian musical to open on Broadway, 'The Boy from Oz' won Hugh Jackman the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; the original Australian cast recording won the 1998 ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.