Who is your favorite Cosette in Les Miserables?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:35pm

I know many of you have seen the show numerous times, and I'd like to know who you thought was the best (Adult) Cosette and why.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:40pm

For me, Cosette has always been the character in Les Miz who is the palest adaptation of her character in the novel. In Hugo's novel, Cosette is an innocent, charming young girl who is on the verge of womanhood--utterly lovely in every way. In the musical, Cosette comes across (at least to me) as a bird brained half-character who serves little purpose at all.

That said, the material presented is so weak, there's not much hope for an actress to really do much with the role than stand there and look/sound pretty. Rebecca Caine on the OLC and Judy Kuhn on the OBC probably come the closest of making me care for Cosette. The best I can explain is that they actually attempt to show motivation for the character--Kuhn provides emotional dimension and heart to the character. Caine evokes the loveliness of the girl-woman from the novel.

As for the Cosettes I've seen, none of them stand out to me. None was any better or any worse than the other. As long as you can stay on pitch and not sound too shrill, you've done an acceptable job.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:41pm

Ali Ewoldt, Ashley Jarrett, and Leslie Henstock.

I've never really seen a bad Cosette.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:44pm

What about Ali made the producers decide to bring her Cosette to Broadway? Was she significantly different than the others?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:46pm

Why, are you bitter?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:49pm

No, not at all. I just want to know if she has a different interpretation of the role. I've only seen Les Mis once (twice if you count at my school), and I don't recall caring for the Cosette at all.

It's just that there are so many people who could do the role. I just wanted to know if she was amazing .

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:05pm

I wasn't particularly impressed by Ali's Cosette. All the Cosettes kind of blend into one for me, so I didn't notice anything different. She does have a very pretty voice, though.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:06pm

Oh--if it matters, I saw her on the tour, not in previews. Her interpretation may have changed since then.
Updated On: 10/29/06 at 06:06 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:09pm

I don't think she's amazing, but her Cosette is very sweet and headstrong -- something the other two I mentioned also were.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason she was cast was to accentuate the ethnic diversity of the revival (and I'm Asian, FWIW).

[javertim]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:32pm

Hrm ... I have a few favorites, but my all-around favorite is the lovely Sandra Turley. She was meek at first but seemed to gain a backbone as time went on, and her voice is absolutely liltingly lovely. I was a really big fan of Leslie Henstock when I first saw her, but as time went by, she seemed to lose the wonderful high notes she had in the beginning. Ali Ewoldt is one of the highlights of the current revival cast, IMO. My old-time favorite is Regan Thiel who was the most lively Cosette I've ever seen. And "Honorable Mention" goes to Heather Ferguson and Rena Strober.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:46pm

Based on the English recordings I would say Judy Kuhn. She just presents the most emotional and vocal depth of any Cosette.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:51pm

i've never seen les miz before but i love "castle on a cloud" or whatever it's called. Updated On: 10/29/06 at 06:51 PM

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:52pm

The song is called "Castle on a Cloud."

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:59pm

^ Little Cosette sings Castle on a Cloud

I felt nothing about Cosette's performance when I saw it. IF she had a solo, then I'm sure I would've cared more about her as a character, but I feel like Cosette's unnecessary naive character.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 7:07pm

She had a solo in the Barbican production ("I Saw Him Once;" you can hear it on the OLC cast recording), but it slowed the show down.

I like the character, but, like Enjolras, she doesn't need a solo.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 7:23pm

I actually deeply enjoy "I Saw Him Once." I like it better than the recitative of "In My Life" that Cosette sings before Valjean comes in. It just seems more faithful to the character in the novel.

If you want a song from the OLC that slowed the song down, might I suggest "Little People"?

[popculture37]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 8:49pm

javertim, I loved Sandra Turley as Cosette. She has a beautiful voice, and she was so much more exciting than most actresses who play the part. She also had a playful sense of humor which is essential to the role and something that many actresses don't do.
I actually think Cosette is the most underrated character in the show. When played properly, she can be breathtaking, its just that many actresses seem to play her in exactly the same way so it gets boring.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 10:52pm

that's hard because it's one of those thankless roles like Raoul in POTO, but to an even greater degree. regardless of the authors' intentions, not many people are willing to sympathize with adult Cosette because of their Eponine fetish. it's also a soprano vocal part that can be very grating when not sung properly. I've seen a number of different people perform the role, but the only one I really loved was Christeena Michelle Riggs. There was another gal on tour who was really good too, but all I remember is that she was Mormon as well. I don't know why but it's one of those odd cultural trends. Mormons make good Cosettes, the same as Canadians make the best Rogers in RENT.

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:09pm

Ah, Christeena, yes. LOVED her. By far the prettiest Cosette ever as well. I also like Regan Theil a lot (it was also interesting having a blond Cosette). Stephanie Likes (a u/s from the tour back in 97-ish) was also very good.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:11pm

I've basically disliked every Cosette I've seen, except Leslie Henstock. I at least enjoyed her voice and her stage presence.

I too enjoy "I saw him one" from the CD, it's nice.

[CompletlyNakedStatue]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 8:26am

More votes for Christeena Michelle Riggs and Regan Thiel. Regan was the only Cosette who ever made me laugh... in a good way, at least!

[JLY's Jersey Gal]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:18am

Judy Kuhn. The original Broadway Cosette. No if's ,and ,or buts about it.

[WhoCouldBeBlue]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:42am

Judy Kuhn!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:48am

Debbie, excuse me Deborah Gibson without a doubt.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:52am

Debbie, excuse me Deborah Gibson without a doubt.

She played Eponine...
http://www.broadwaylesmis.com/actors.asp?id=136