Hugh Jackman has revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19.
The Greatest Showman star took to Instagram on Tuesday (December 28) to share that he contacted the virus. He said in a video clip posted on the platform:”My symptoms are like a cold. I have a scratchy throat and a bit of a runny nose, but I’m fine.”
Along with the clip, Hugh wrote this caption:
“I just wanted to make sure you heard this from me. I tested positive for covid. Mild symptoms and looking forward to getting back on stage ASAP!
Sending love for a happy and healthy new year.”
It’s also been announced that The Music Man, the Broadway show Hugh stars in, has cancelled all performances through Saturday. Performances are set to resume on Sunday (January 2).
The 53-year-old actor, who stars as Professor Harold Hill in the production, is not set to return to the show til January 6.
Hugh’s announcement and the show’s cancelled performances come days after he gave a powerful speech on stage celebrating understudies and swings following Sutton Foster – Marian Paroo in the musical – missing a performance in the first week of previews due to having caught the virus.
In the heartfelt speech, caught on video by an audience member, Hugh revealed that Sutton’s understudy Kathy Voytko only found out that day around noontime that she would be stepping into the role to perform that evening. He said:
“This is a time we’ve never known. We’re in our fourth preview, we’re all just sort of learning so swings and understudies have not had a chance to learn.
They watch from the corner of a room while we rehearse, while we get to practice over and over again. They just get to watch and write notes, and then five hours before performance they’re told, ‘You’re on by the way, you’ve for a wig fitting, go!’”
Hugh invited other understudies to join him on stage as he continued his speech, emotionally saying:
“I’m emotional because it humbles me. Their courage, their brilliance, their dedication, their talent. The swings, the understudies, they’re the bedrock of Broadway.”
The Hollywood star, who played Wolverine in the X-Men films, then made a claw-like gesture and stated:
“Take it from me: Real superheroes do not wear capes!”
