Arts News

Hugh Jackman set for Houdini musical on Broadway

Jan 6, 2012, 12:33 GMT

New York - Actor Hugh Jackman is set to star in a new Broadway musical about the legendary escape artist Houdini next year, it was announced Wednesday.

Jackman, whose recent Broadway concert made almost 11 million dollars in just six weeks, said the role would be the culmination of his life's work.

'I have been deeply fascinated by the life of Harry Houdini since I was young, and in many ways I've been preparing for this role my whole life,' said the 43-year old star of X-Men, who was named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine in 2008.

Jackman has previously won a Tony Award for his role in the musical The Boy from Oz and will be hoping to repeat the success with Houdini, which has the backing of one of the top creative teams in the business.

Aaron Sorkin, the writer of West Wing and The Social Network, is writing the book while Oscar and Grammy winner Stephen Schwartz will write the songs and Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien will direct.