He hopped into the theatre like a kangaroo, and now Hugh Jackman has left Tony Awards viewers scratching their heads by rapping a popular show tune.
In his fourth outing as Tony Awards host, Jackman tried his hand at staging a one-man version of classic musical, The Music Man.
But as he spun the quick-paced lyrics to one of the show’s popular tunes, the X-Men star decided to enlist the help of rappers LL Cool J and TI to rap the rest.
Wrapping the segment, Jackman even joked about his new rapping moniker: Biggie Tap Shoes.
“I think Wolverine is having a breakdown,” viewer Andi McLellan tweeted.
Another quipped that Jackman should leave the rapping to the professionals because he was “Les Miserables” at it.
Meanwhile, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton seemed sum up what many fans were feeling with: “What am I watching right now”
But others seemed to appreciate the silliness of the rap spoof.
“This is theatre blasphemy but I can’t stop laughing. Mostly because rap with an Australian accent is funny,” said Brittany Berger.
Jackman’s hosting performance appears to be dividing viewers on Twitter, with his opening dance routine also leaving some cold.
A homage to Bobby Van’s hopping routine from 1953 musical, Small Town Girl, the energetic routine saw Jackman jump through New York’s Radio City Music Hall high-fiving audience members before heading backstage.
There he continued his boppy journey to greet high-profile guests like Sting, Neil Patrick Harris and casts of Aladdin, Cabaret, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder and the stage musical revival of Les Miserables.
Jackman fans on Twitter welcomed the high energy routine as they watched the awards show kick off.
“I don’t care if is clawing mutants, raising orphans, arm wrestling or dancing, he can do no wrong,” viewer Toby Williams quipped.
But others weren’t impressed.
“Jumping does not an opening make,” Blake Erickson tweeted.
Jackman had teased the opening routine in the lead up to this year’s ceremony via social media, posting a video of himself bouncing through a series of daily tasks ahead of Sunday’s show.
The Australian actor picked up an Emmy in 2005 for his Tony Awards hosting efforts the year before.
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– AAP
