Watch Hugh Jackman Dance for Susan Stroman

Before he was singing ballads as Jean Val Jean or strapping on his Wolverine claws, Hugh Jackman had a much more down-to-earth breakout role: cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!. Jackman turned heads in 1998 when he premiered in the acclaimed Susan Stroman-choreographed version at London’s Royal National Theatre, where it was filmed before moving to the West End. For the musical’s 70th anniversary, PBS will be airing the classic film tomorrow night at 9 pm. It’s part of the network’s Fall Arts Festival, which features arts programming every Friday night through December. Take a sneak peek here at Jackman’s moves in the “Dream Ballet,” where Stroman put her own spin on the original choreography by Agnes de Mille (Jackman comes in around minute 4):

Oh, what a beautiful day.

Josefina Gabrielle and Jackman as Laurey and Curly.
Photo courtesy “Great Performances.”