There’s showbiz and then there’s Hugh Jackman — a man who doesn’t just embody the term, but constantly redefines it through everything he does. Across nearly two decades of film and television, Jackman might best be known for playing Wolverine (and will do until he’s 90), but he’s also the magnetic centerpiece of From New York With Love, a full-blown theatrical concert that runs through October at Radio City Music Hall. While it’s hard to believe Jackman is 56 years old, the award-winning actor is busier than ever and proving he’s one of those rare talents who can move from razzle-dazzle to raw vulnerability with complete ease. And after having watched him live to a sold-out crowd this past April, it’s immediately clear: No one else does it quite like him.

Kicking off in January to a sold-out crowd with fans attending from around the world, the nearly two-hour concert is more than just a polished celebration of Jackman’s career. It’s a deeply personal, surprisingly intimate evening that manages to vibe between glitzy and grand (even if I got a New York hot dog from the concession stand), while also feeling incredibly grounded. It might sound sappy to say it’s enchanting, but it really is the kind of show that leaves you a little misty-eyed one moment and cheering at the top of your lungs the next.
‘From New York With Love’ Is More Than Just a Show

Turning a 6,000-seat venue into something that feels warm and personal, From New York With Love is not just a concert for fans or even Broadway enthusiasts — it’s genuine fun for everyone. In every sense of the word, it’s a heartfelt invitation into the generous host’s world, his love of the city, its culture, and everything that makes it so charming. Of course, it includes a slick highlight reel of his greatest hits and movie moments, but it’s also so much more than that. From my seat, about 26 rows back at Radio City Music Hall, the view was a perfect one: Close enough to catch every grin and glint of his stage magic, but far enough to take in the full spectacle of the showman’s ambitious vision.
Starting just minutes after 8 p.m. — a move aligned to one of Jackman’s greatest principles — the multihyphenate performer opens the show with a tribute to Neil Diamond, which is also a nod to his upcoming film Song Sung Blue with Kate Hudson and one of his later guests of the evening, King Princess. Instantly getting the crowd on their feet against a bright background that just powerfully pops him into view, Jackman opens with “Crunchy Granola Suite” while looking and sounding exactly like the musical icon. Of course, he also later gets into “Sweet Caroline” while wearing a glittery American flag-inspired vest — a moment that turns Radio City Music Hall into one of the most electric places on a Friday night with some very heartwarming stadium-level sing-along fun.

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But it’s the real showstoppers that get everyone excited and tuned into Jackman’s heart when he breaks out into The Greatest Showman (the part of the evening where I lost my voice and lost some hot dog calories) or Les Misérables. While he’s definitely in his Jean Valjean era and giving us some real “big daddy energy,” Jackman’s theatrical talents are striking as he proves to be a natural-born performer living his best life on stage. Yes, his voice has aged a bit since The Greatest Showman, and playing Logan Howlett for 20 years has no doubt transformed his registers. But as we can see from the musical numbers, he can still command a room with an honest, compelling conviction that sincerely connects you to his heart.
A lot of that spirit is also shared in anecdotes about his family, friends, and the industry. In what is a real standout moment that will surely tug at your heartstrings is the performance of Alexi Murdoch’s “All My Days” from Real Steel as a tribute to his late father, Christopher Jackman. Framing it around the moment he found out about his dad’s deteriorating health, the actor spoke about his mindset during that shoot with director Shawn Levy as the scene played out on the Radio City screens.
While that kind of honesty gives the show unexpected emotional depth, it’s these moments that elevate it to more than just a concert — it’s, in every understanding, an experience with the talented star. One minute, he’ll break your heart with a gripping performance of “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen — but then he’ll turn on a dime into something cheeky the next minute, like his lively, bouncy “I Go To Rio” from Peter Allen’s Tony award-winning The Boy From Oz.
Why Hugh Jackman’s ‘From New York With Love’ Works

The lighter parts are just as sharp and entertaining, especially when he digs into some more self-deprecating styles of humor. During the evening, Jackman puts a delightfully irreverent spin on John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with lyrics that reflect his Australian pride (“Thank God I’m an Ozzy Boy”) and a giant screen behind him showcasing images of a young Jackman, symbols of Australia and Margot Robbie.
But it’s his attempts at jump rope in place of being a part of the Deadpool & Wolverine hoopla with NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” that takes the cake and brings another level of excitement to the crowd. Mid-jump and mid-blooper, Jackman’s boyish charm and unfiltered laughter (mostly at himself for flubbing) prove that authenticity is far more captivating to the masses than perfection. With his trainer, Beth Lewis, by his side, he also pays it back by fulfilling her dream of performing alongside the Radio City Rockettes for a high-kick routine that is wholesome in every sense.
Aside from Jackman’s singing throughout the evening, the star also brought on several guests, like Keri René Fuller, who sang “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman in a performance that brought the house down. A visibly touched Jackman, much like his on-screen character, spoke highly of her before and after the showcase. In keeping with the vibes of my favorite musical, audiences were also in for a treat with a duet from Adam Halpin for “The Other Side” that was just as lively as the Zac Efron number from the film. But it was Jackman’s sweet Sonny and Cher duet for “I Got You Babe” with King Princess (real name Mikaela Straus) that got everyone on their feet, and the crowd swaying like it was Woodstock all over again.
In addition to singing some of my all-time favorites from Oklahoma and The Music Man, like the incredibly sharp-paced and quick “Ya Got Trouble,” From New York With Love works because it doesn’t just rely on the spectacle of the show. So much of it is about who Jackman is at the core, and a lot of it is about the people he surrounds himself with. When he sits at the piano (yes, he can play more than just Chopsticks), we see this actor creating an intimate space for sharing genuine stories. Like, when he speaks about Meredith Willson’s classic, we get a sense of Jackman’s genuine humility in how he reveals the full circle moment of playing Salesman #2 in high school to the 2022 Broadway revival. It’s in how he shares stories about his friends, like his 51-year-old friendship with Gus Worland, that we see another side of the star.
Jackman is not interested in playing a persona. He is a very basic, ground showman who thrives on authenticity and quirkiness, as the show proves with the curtain drawn just enough to let us in. His gift for blending sharp comedic timing with emotional storytelling is what elevates the evening beyond just some jukebox concert. And hosting it at Radio City Music Hall? Talk about being inspired. The venue’s acoustics are pristine, the ambiance elegant without being stiff — like, did I mention I ordered a hot dog? Every detail in his stunning show enhances the performance without ever overshadowing him. It’s the perfect stage for a man who can command it with little more than a smile.
Hugh Jackman’s Show Is Perfection, Even If There’s Just One Nitpicky Criticism

Okay, so that might have been dramatic to state upfront, but if there’s one misstep to Jackman’s bold and ambitious show, it’s that From New York With Love needed to be a nationwide tour like his former concerts. He nearly brought it to London (a short run was in the works before being quietly pulled), so it’s hard not to wish the rest of the world had the chance to see this live. Having traveled from Toronto for Jackman, it was a show worthy of more eyeballs because he isn’t just performing — he’s sharing the best piece of himself that we all appreciate. If I could see From New York With Love again tomorrow, I would — no question. It’s a reminder of how thrilling live performance can be when it’s done with heart, craft, and a deep love for the audience.
And it’s no secret that his lifelong relationship with music from his Broadway roots to Oklahoma!, Les Misérables, The Boy From Oz, and, of course, The Greatest Showman — has undoubtedly shaped him. And now, with the Diamond biopic ahead this winter, the living icon is channeling that connection into something resonant and real. From New York With Love is proof that Jackman isn’t just a star — he’s a storyteller, and we’re lucky he’s still telling them live.
Hugh Jackman Live From New York With Love continues its engagement on select dates from May to October. Get your tickets from AEG here.