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Who better to honor Academy's 156 years?

Hugh Jackman set to perform in January for the Academy of Music Anniversary Concert.

By Peter Dobrin, Inquirer Culture Writer

Posted: October 03, 2012

Who is the special guest for the Academy of Music's 156th birthday in January? Is it:

(a) A highly respected song-and-dance man? (b) The sexiest man alive, 2008? Or (c) a wolverine?

In a gesture of considerably greater Hollywood dash than previous years, Academy leaders are importing all three in a single guest: Hugh Jackman.

The Australian actor and singer will perform Jan. 26 with the Philadelphia Orchestra for the Academy of Music Anniversary Concert.

Jackman, 43, wasn't available for an interview, an orchestra spokeswoman said, and details of the program are not yet set.

However, she said, "we are told we can expect highlights from some of his award-winning performances, that he will dance, and that it will be an all-around theatrical performance, including some of his comedic wit. As always, we will leave much of this to be a surprise to the audience."

Conducting the program this year is new music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Jackman is known as Wolverine in the X-Men film series and for roles in Kate & Leopold, Van Helsing, and The Prestige. He won a Tony Award for his role in The Boy From Oz. He was People magazine's "sexiest man alive" in 2008, and is involved in several charitable organizations.

Tickets, which go on sale Nov. 1, range in price from $200 for the concert alone, to $325 to $1,850 for the entire Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball. For more information, call 215-893-1978 or visit www.philorch.org.

Contact Peter Dobrin at pdobrin@phillynews.com

or 215-854-5611.