Will Hugh Jackman work his magic on Broadway again?

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Culture Monster was thrilled last week when People magazine finally woke up and named Hugh Jackman the Sexiest Man Alive. (We could have told you that back in 2003, but obviously the staffers at People missed Jackman’s turn as Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz” on Broadway.) We were delighted when we read Times movie critic Kenneth Turan’s thumbs-up review of Jackman’s new film, “Australia.” And we were happy to learn that the hunky actor is just a regular guy, with a wife, two kids and sense of humor and humility.

So you can imagine our reaction when word started spreading that Jackman would be cast in the title role of the new musical “Houdini.” According to Fox News, the show will feature a book by Kurt Andersen (yeah, the N.Y. novelist and magazine radio guy) and music by Danny Elfman and David Yazbek (“The Full Monty”). They say Jackman is already getting tips from magician Ricky Jay and may soon turn to David Blaine and Cirque du Soleil (funny, no mention of Criss Angel).

Jackman’s reps couldn’t be reached to confirm the item. The report says the musical reportedly has its eye on Broadway in 2010. Tony winner Jack O’Brien, former artistic director at the Old Globe theater in San Diego, is slated to direct.

All this makes sense, really. Jackman already played an illusionist in the 2007 film “The Prestige.” And we can name several women and men who have fallen under his spell. Stay tuned — Culture Monster is on the case.

-- Lisa Fung