“Music Man” star Hugh Jackman is not leaving the show, don’t worry. He’ll still be starring in the musical revival this winter even with the scandal surrounding producer Scott Rudin.
Jackman sent out a statement, all in CAPS, although I’m not sure that means he’s screaming. The statement below says basically Rudin is stepping back and they’re all moving on.
“I hope and pray this is a journey of healing for all the victims,” says Jackman, “and the community.”
It’s a tepid response, I think. I’m frankly a little surprised by it. There’s still trouble with a capital T in River City.
Here’s the statement:
“I WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I RESPECT AND APPLAUD THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPOKEN UP ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH SCOTT RUDIN. IT TAKES AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO STAND UP AND STATE YOUR TRUTH. THIS HAS STARTED A CONVERSATION THAT IS LONG OVERDUE, NOT JUST ON BROADWAY, AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, BUT ACROSS ALL WORKFORCE. THE MOST IMPORTANT VOICE WE NEEDED TO HEAR FROM WAS SCOTT RUDIN, HE HAS NOW SPOKEN UP AND STEPPED AWAY FROM THE MUSIC MAN . I HOPE AND PRAY THIS IS A JOURNEY OF HEALING FOR ALL THE VICTIMS AND THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE CURRENTLY REBUILDING THE MUSIC MAN TEAM AND ARE ASPIRING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT ONLY SAFE, BUT ENSURES THAT EVERYONE IS SEEN, HEARD AND VALUED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.”
