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Playbill.com polled our readers via Facebook and Twitter asking who should take on the role of Jean Valjean, the musical's protagonist who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread — forever branded as prisoner number 24601?
Here are some reader responses followed by our own commentary:
@codykgriffin: @raminkarimloo as Valjean because he is insanely talented and perfect! And it would be a dream to see him in the role or any role.
Jacob Holland: I would LOVE to see Ramin Karimloo make his Broadway debut in the role of Jean Valjean. He has already played the role in London.
Drew Koon: Ramin Karimloo! With his fantastic voice he deserves to be on Broadway!!
London star Ramin Karimloo, who has yet to make his Broadway debut, has had a long connection with Les Miz. The actor performed the role of Marius as well as the role of Enjolras in the 25th anniversary of Les Miz at the 02 in London. In September 2013 Karimloo will reprise his performance of Jean Valjean, a role that he also played in Les Miz, in a Canadian tour of the newly staged production. It's about time the actor, also known for his performance in the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, makes his Broadway debut.
Photo by Alastair Muir |
BroadwayBabyy97: Alfie Boe, of course! He blew us all away with his incredible voice for the 25th anniversary. Alfie Boe, a Tony Award recipient for his work in La Bohème, was a popular choice for the role of Jean Valjean among our readers. Boe, the opera, stage and recording star, played the moral center of the musical in the televised 25th anniversary concert of the show at London's 02 Arena in 2010, and joined the cast of the West End production in spring 2011. Nick Allott, managing director of Cameron Mackintosh, previously told Playbill.com, "We've always said to [Alfie], 'If we ever take the show back to Broadway, we'd love you to think about doing it.' And he's always said, 'Yes, let's talk about it.'"
Photo by Brett Thomas |
Ana Galang: I can't believe I'm going to be the first person the suggest Brian d'Arcy James, yet here I am. And Raúl Esparza for Javert. How have neither of these been mentioned? Two-time Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James, who received nods for his work in Shrek the Musical and Sweet Smell of Success, has also been seen on Broadway in Next to Normal, Time Stands Still, The Apple Tree, Titanic, Carousel and many more. The versatile actor would be well suited for the iconic role of Jean Valjean in the upcoming Broadway revival.
Photo by Matthew Karas |
Juan Carlos Garza Segovia: Raul Esparza Four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza was last seen on Broadway in the short-lived musical Leap of Faith. The actor, who recently appeared in City Center Encores! The Cradle Will Rock, is another ideal choice for the role of Jean Valjean, having received acclaim for his roles in the Broadway productions of Taboo, Company, The Homecoming and Speed-the-Plow.
Barbara Ritacco: Robert Cuccioli. Robert Cuccioli, best known for his Tony-nominated performance in the dual title roles in Broadway's Jekyll & Hyde, currently appears in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The actor, who has also been seen on Broadway as Javert in the original production of Les Miz, would be an ideal choice for the role of Jean Valjean if and when he concludes his stint as the evil Green Goblin in Spider-Man.
Photo by Chris Cassidy |
Charlene Beckwith: Adam Pascal (: Adam Pascal, who was Tony-nominated for his performance as rocker Roger Davis in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent, has also led the casts of Aida, Memphis, Cabaret and Chicago. Pascal would be an exciting and different choice for the role of Valjean in Les Misérables.
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN |
Photo by Deen van Meer |
Sadie Equality McCurry: JOHN. OWEN. JONES. He is perfect. PERFECT In 1998, John Owen-Jones became the youngest person to play the role of Jean Valjean full time when he took over in the London production at the age of 26. Owen-Jones also appeared in the tenth anniversary concert at Royal Albert Hall in 1995, the 25th anniversary international touring production and the 2006 Broadway revival. If Owen-Jones auditions for the upcoming revival, we're sure that he'd be well prepared.
Photo by Universal Pictures |
@noelsterSF: @RealHughJackman because, duh..... Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman starred as Valjean in the star-studded, Oscar-nominated movie adaptation and received his first Academy Award nomination for his performance. We wouldn't be opposed to the Broadway favorite reprising his performance on stage in the 2014 revival.
Photo by Michael Le Poer Trench |