This season runs through the 28th of September, visit the website to be up to date. Credit to Hollywood Bowl.
Los Angeles, California (June 12, 2025)- The stars were out in more ways than one on June 7, 2025, as the LA Philharmonic launched its 2025 Hollywood Bowl season with a spectacular celebration: An Evening with Hugh Jackman. More than 10,000 guests filled the legendary venue for a night that blended Broadway charm, Hollywood grandeur, and community spirit in classic LA fashion.
With his signature magnetism and vocal prowess, Jackman led an unforgettable performance featuring beloved songs from The Greatest Showman, The Boy from Oz, The Music Man, and more. Accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under the baton of Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins, the evening struck a perfect balance between polished entertainment and heartfelt homage.
The program opened with patriotic flair as Wilkins led the Orchestra in “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by a spirited performance of Prokofiev’s March in B-flat. From there, the musical journey moved into a suite from Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, hinting at the Broadway delights to come.
The first half of the evening also spotlighted LA Phil’s robust educational mission. A moving video introduced the YOLA (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles) program, a cornerstone of the LA Phil’s community work. Musicians from YOLA then took the stage to perform A Troupe’s Cadence, an original piece by Ethan Chaparro, an alum of the LA Phil’s Composer Fellowship Program. The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra closed the first act with a cinematic suite from X2: X-Men United, bridging Jackman’s superhero legacy with his symphonic stage presence.
Following intermission, Jackman joined the orchestra for a charismatic second act filled with musical theater highlights and classic standards. His set included timeless hits from Neil Diamond, John Denver, Peter Allen, and Frank Sinatra—interspersed with stories from his journey on stage and screen. A standout moment came during “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman, when 18 young YOLA musicians joined Jackman and the orchestra, embodying the night’s theme of inspiration and aspiration.
The guest list was as impressive as the performance. Among the notable attendees were LA County Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath, Janice Hahn, and Kathryn Barger; LA County CEO Fesia Davenport; LA City Councilmember Nithya V. Raman; Director of LA County Parks Norma Garcia; and former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The night’s philanthropic efforts were led by Opening Night co-chairs Lisa and Robyn Field, Anthony O’Carroll, Monique and Jonathan Kagan, Barbara and Jay Rasulo, and Kaiser Permanente executives Gregory A. Adams and Michelle Gaskill-Hames. As the LA Phil’s official partner in health and harmony, Kaiser Permanente played a key role in the evening’s success.
More than just an entertainment milestone, Opening Night raised over $2.6 million for the LA Phil’s Learning and community programs, underscoring the deep connection between music and civic life in Los Angeles.
The 2025 Hollywood Bowl season continues through September 28, offering a wide range of programming from classical symphonies to genre-crossing concerts. With a spectacular opening night setting the tone, this summer promises to be one of the most vibrant yet at one of the world’s most iconic music venues.
For tickets and more information, visit hollywoodbowl.com.
About the Author
