Not too long ago I learned a valuable lesson -- never prejudge. When I was in New York last April attending the Commercial Theater Institute's 3-day producer conference, I could have gone to see The Boy From Oz for $50 - half off at the TKTS booth in Times Square. And great seats to boot. However, I was too skeptical about the star casting: Hugh Jackman as Peter Allen.

Due to my own ignorance, I only knew Hugh as Wolverine and the occasional romantic lead (Kate & Leopold). Don't get me wrong, he was great in X-Men, but I never knew of his musical theater background. So I thought "tsk tsk, I'm sure he is awful...".

By the time I saw him perform on the Tonys it was too late. The tickets were at a premium and hard to get. When I was in New York on holiday with my family in August of last year my husband had to jump through hoops and pay through the nose (sounds like a Cirque du Soleil act...) for tickets for my 10 year old daughter and I to see it. Well, we were blown away, thrilled, entranced, entertained and besotted. Hugh Jackman was amazing.

Not just "good for a movie star". But totally Broadway worthy! The whole cast was phenomenal, but Hugh was thrilling. Although I was a teensy weensy bit weirded out that my daughter and I had a crush on the same guy...It was so great that when I was back in NYC in September I had to see it again, so my husband had to do the same contortions (at even a higher premium) to get me a ticket. But it was well worth it. My only regret was I couldn't be there closing night to see Hugh pull Matt Damon and Barbara Walters onstage for some shenanigans.

Long story short, I have since learned to suspend disbelief, give the benefit of the doubt...you get the idea. So when I heard about the following, I thought, well they could be great. Now I will only pass judgement once I've seen them:

1. Under The Bridge: A new musical with book and lyrics by none other than Kathy Lee Gifford (music by David Pomeranz) that just opened at the Zipper Theater. The Zipper Theater is a way-cool small theater converted from a zipper manufacturer. The seats are old car seats! I was lucky enough to see Bebe Neuwirth in Here Lies Jenny there and had my very own bucket seat -- very comfy. Kathy's musical is based on the book The Family Under The Bridge. It's about a family that has to live under a bridge in 1950s Paris with a helpful bum "Armand". The old me would have scoffed and laughed but the new me will wait and see for myself. It also stars Ed Dixon as Armand, who I saw in Here Lies Jenny and who wrote the musical Fanny Hill.

2. Christina Applegate in Sweet Charity: The buzz on Christina (from my inside sources...) is good. Apparently she has been dancing since she was a mere tot. And she has good comedic timing, my favorite example being when she was a "baby stylist" on Friends. Again, I'll see for myself when it previews in Chicago.

3. Ewan McGregor in Guys and Dolls: He has been cast as Sky Masterson for a West End production. First of all I love Ewan big time in films ranging from Star Wars to Brassed Off to Down With Love. He is gorgeous, romantic, funny, musically inclined etc.(Sorry I didn't mention Moulin Rouge, but I did see that, so I can judge) But can he do a big musical role on stage?? Will luck be a lady for Ewan???

Well, don't look at me for a prejudgement, I've learned my lesson.