Preston had musicality and rhythm and pizzazz up the wazoo, especially shocking as he hadn't really had any prior musical productions or films on his resume, and he had a basically nice singing voice with excellent diction. (Yes, he overdoes the end of "Movies were Movies were MOOOOOOOOooooVIIEEEEES" in "Mack and Mabel.") But otherwise, he gives the songs in his shows their due.
Jackman will be fine, as this is an easier score to sing certainly than "Les Miz" (!) where his rather unpleasant blend of nasality and throatiness really couldn't be overlooked by looking at him being charming, whereas Harold Hill, like his Peter Allen, you probably can. I wouldn't put it past him if he tries to do that one-person "Rock Island" thing as an encore at the end of the show, though it's not as good as he thinks it is. |
