Hugh Jackman just kicked off his highly anticipated From New York With Love residency at Radio City Music Hall, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of epic! The Prestige star treated the crowd to an unforgettable night filled with music, memories, and a few surprise moments, including one featuring his longtime friend and Deadpool & Wolverine co-star, Ryan Reynolds. Talk about a dynamic duo!
The magic all started when Jackman decided to engage the audience with a fun little Q&A between his songs. What happened next, though, was completely unexpected. Out of nowhere, Ryan Reynolds popped up on stage, microphone in hand. "Hello, Hugh, it's Ryan," he announced, instantly lighting up the room. The crowd went wild, and Jackman couldn't help but chuckle, noticing that his friend had somehow snuck into the venue.
"You have a microphone!" Jackman joked, clearly amused by the surprise appearance. "You can just bring one of these!" Reynolds teased back, offering to lend Jackman his mic.
But the banter didn't stop there. Reynolds, with his signature comedic flair, quickly made fun of Jackman's From New York With Love concert series at the historic venue. He said, "I was told this was going to be a comedy version of Les Mis as a one-man show." The crowd erupted in laughter, and Reynolds followed up with a playful jab: "We all said it was a terrible idea, but he carried on. I see he's duped me once again." The playful teasing set the tone for what turned out to be a truly special night of comedy, music, and heartfelt moments.
As the evening went on, Reynolds didn’t just make a brief appearance and leave; he stayed in the spotlight and took on the important task of helping Jackman with the audience questions. He moved through the crowd, delivering the mic to lucky fans who had the chance to ask Jackman everything from his favorite role to what it’s like working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
When the Q&A portion wrapped up, Reynolds had a heartfelt message for his friend and colleague. “This was the first major movie star I ever worked with, 16 or 17 years ago,” Reynolds said, taking a moment to reflect on their journey together. He was talking about their first collaboration on X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, a film that not only helped define their careers but also cemented their friendship. “Going to this movie set with this guy right here, and I really didn't know what was gonna happen ... But what I saw was just about the best thing anyone could possibly experience if you're working your way up in the industry,” Reynolds recalled with genuine admiration.
But what Reynolds really admired was Jackman’s unwavering character, even as his stardom exploded. “I saw a movie star, a capital M movie star,” Reynolds continued. “I saw this gentleman right here walk around that set, and just like here, he knew every single person's name, even though he was making them up half the time. He showed a kind of courtesy and gentleness and curiosity, and he put value into every single crew member that we were working with.” It was clear that the bond between these two actors goes way beyond the screen.
But the sweet moments didn’t stop there. Reynolds went on with another quip, adding a bit of humor to the situation. “I know we were supposed to finish this bit where these two security gentlemen come and they try to take the mic from me, there's like a struggle, and then they tase me, and I go down, and then they hogtie me, and they put me in the Radio City Music garbage dump, and then they just light it on fire,” Reynolds joked. It was a classic Reynolds-style punchline that had the crowd in stitches. But before wrapping up, he offered a genuine sentiment, “I love this man. I care about this man. He is genuinely the best human being I know — and I have four children! He is the best. Enjoy the rest of the show. You owe me a hundred bucks.”
In true Jackman fashion, he responded with warmth, “I love you, Ryan Reynolds. I love you, man.” The love between these two is evident, and it's not just for show—it’s real.
But that wasn’t the only Deadpool-Wolverine connection on that magical night. Jackman also took a moment during his performance to pay homage to his time as Wolverine and Deadpool’s unlikely but hilarious rivalry in the films. Jackman reenacted the famous “Bye Bye Bye” dance sequence from Deadpool 2, where Deadpool dances to an *NSYNC song. He decided to up the challenge by incorporating a jump rope into the routine. As he explained, “The opening of the movie had this dance sequence — I don't know if you saw it — it had the character of Deadpool dancing to an *NSYNC song. I thought maybe tonight I might just have a little go at, perhaps, what could have been." The audience was living for it, as Jackman flawlessly recreated the quirky, unexpected moment from the film. He truly knows how to entertain!
As the show went on, it became clear that Jackman is not just a seasoned performer; he’s someone who pours his heart into every performance, and the crowd couldn’t get enough. Jackman’s residency, From New York With Love, isn’t just a concert—it’s an experience. Over the course of 23 more shows, spanning eight weekends, Jackman will be serenading audiences with tunes from some of the most iconic stage musicals and films he’s starred in, including songs from Oklahoma, The Music Man, Les Misérables, and The Greatest Showman. Talk about a variety show! After this initial weekend, Jackman will return for one show per month from April to October. So, if you missed the first show, there are plenty more chances to catch him in action.
This concert series isn’t just a chance to hear Jackman sing; it’s an opportunity to witness a true Hollywood legend in his element. His energy, humor, and love for his craft shine through in every performance. And, with a little help from friends like Ryan Reynolds, it’s clear that From New York With Love will be one for the history books.
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