Casting Announced for Les Mis- Page 3

[Stagerage2003]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:48pm

Has Daphne givin a bad performance...Rent OCR... I dont like her voice. Period...Im glad she didn't get Rent the movie, and I'm Hoping to God that she gets some serious coaching for this upcoming role...

you're right Macintosh is amazing and He probably has something up his sleeve, but until I see it, or hear it I will keep my ways. :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:48pm

LOL Lizzie, you're right but i was talking about the majority of the casting, not just DRV. PG is about the last person I would have expected, well other than DRV for Fantine. How the heck is she going to sing that song?

The Gemignani rumors had been flying around for a while, so I wasn't surprised. But I've also never seen him in anything, so I'm not familiar with him at all (just by name).

Adam Jacobs is fine, but I'm surprised it's him only because there have been better ones before (and after) him on tour.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:50pm

it's so funny how so many people are either/or on Alexander Gemignani. i found him to be AWESOME but i agree that i can't picture him as Jean Valjean. i mean, I'm not a big fan of Les Mis to begin with but when I think of Jean Valjean that is not who comes to mind.

I may end up seeing this show now though if him and Aaron Lazar are going to be in it. i respect them both deeply. i'm with the other poster though who said that he hoped Daphne Rubin Vega gets her singing voice together. eesh! that woman is too pitchy for me...

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:55pm

YAY ALEX!

I hope I get to see this when I head over to NYC!

[Stagerage2003]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:57pm

THanks for the support folkyboy

[BlueStarGirl]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 6:58pm

Alright, this just made me start planning a winter trip back to New York.

SO exciting!

[mijofly19]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:13pm

I can't wait for this production!

I think Alex will do fine. He was one of my favorite parts of Sweeney, and I'm really excited for him to get a leading role.

Norm and Aaron will both be amazing.

Gary and Jenny will be perfect opposite each other. Jenny is my favorite Mme. Thenardier, and I can't wait to see Gary in this role.

I don't know about Daphne. I never saw this coming. I'm not the biggest fan of her voice, but I'm definitley willing to give it a shot.

[boxers7]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:16pm

I for one can not wait to see the spin Daphne puts on the role. It's pretty obvious that she must have sung I Dreamed a Dream for the entire creative team many times before landing the role. I have complete confidence that she will be amazing as usual!

[leon1489]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:20pm

Does anybody else have visions of Fantine wearing hot pants while gyrating around the stage singing "I Dreamed a Dream"...

Or is that just me?

[catsuit]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:24pm

I like the choice of DRV. It will put an interesting spin on the show, to keep it from being exactly like the tour.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:26pm

Enough b*tching about Daphne.

ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI AND GARY BEACH!!!!!!!

That spelled it out for me right there. H-I-T!

[leon1489]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:27pm

I guess I just really wanted to see Lea Salonga be a bad mother and play Fantine. Oh well... maybe for the next "limited engagement".

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:31pm

Daphne is my favorite performer, hands down. Was I shocked when I read that she was going to be in Les Mis? Let's just say I had one of those weird teary/laughter things going on. I honestly have NO idea what to expect. I do think it's a very unique and intereting casting choice for the role, and she'll be singing one of the most beautiful songs that's been written for the stage. I can't wait to see her take on it. I'm very happy that after all the RENT controversy she has the oppurtunity to shine in something brand new.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:38pm

The Broadhurst has standing room right? I will probably do SRO for the first preview.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:39pm

For those of you still questioning why Daphne was cast....

Broadway is a BUSINESS!
A BIIZZZZZNEEESSSS!

Count the number of people in this thread who have said: "OMG! Daphne? I have to see this show now!"

Multiply that by 1000 teeny bopper young Broadway fans...
Turn that number into a DOLLAR SIGN

That's why they did it!

Personally, I can't wait to hear/see Alexander and Gary and Aaron. Sounds SUPERB!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 7:56pm

I am realy excited for this cast. Gary Beach is going to be amazing as Thenardier. I think DRV will bring an interesting dimension to Fantine. PLus I love her voice. And I can't wait to see Alex! He really impressed me in Sweeney Todd and Assassins. I hope they release a cast recording.

this is alittle OT, but does anyone know if Alex will still be in Sweeney when I see it July 8th? Or will he be in rehearsels?

[sanda]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:00pm

I am soooooooooo disappointed for Adam Jacobs' Marius. He is the worst one I ever saw, both acting and singing. Damn it! With so many better candidates, they choose him.

I am not excited for this production any more.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:07pm

Because Marius is the end-all be-all? A bad Marius does not a ruined show make. (Do I get a purple heart for seeing Peter Lockyer 8 times in a row?)

Sanda, I'm sure you'll feel better when you count your blessings no one from your favorite show, Little Women, will be in it.

Updated On: 6/5/06 at 08:07 PM

[Shawk]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:09pm

I was gonna say, I wish Adam Jacobs was the worst Marius I have ever seen, but unfortunately, that is not the case.

I'm more worried about DRV. I don't dislike her but I don't think she's a great fit for the role, either. Maybe she'll do something fantastic and different, but I'm just not picturing it.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:15pm

Can't say I'm overly excited about any of the casting. It's an interesting/servicable mix at best. Marquee name? Beach? Lewis? both talented but barely known.

Cameron played the cards he was left with and threw out some Aces. That's all I will say. Still, it should serve the tourists well for 6 mos. I'm happy that it will put some actors to work and some cheeks in the seats.

[ulkis]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:16pm

I think Daphne can pull this off, since I don't think Les Mis that musically different from Rent or Bernarda Alba, or even the characters are very different (misunderstood outcasts on the fringe of society).

Heck, I think the characters of Mimi and Fantine have a lot in common as well (behaved 'badly' sexually, because of that end up in situations which make them outcasts, end up in 'decadent professions'). So don't think this will be much of a stretch for Daphne.

I've never heard the guy who is going to be playing Valjean, but isn't 26 a little young for the part?

re: Marius, no one bad player should ruin the show, even if it's Valjean or Javert, but I imagine if you like the character or his or her songs the best it could ruin the play for a person.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:18pm

"(Do I get a purple heart for seeing Peter Lockyer 8 times in a row?)"

I STILL like him!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:20pm

I've never heard the guy who is going to be playing Valjean, but isn't 26 a little young for the part?

There's being 26 and then there's playing 26. I've never seen him in anything, but I assume he won't be doing the latter.

He's about the same age as John Owen-Jones and Gregory Calvin Stone were when they started in the role. We'll see.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:21pm

Okay, it is called makeup! Alex's voice is very mature for his ae and he looks much older then he is. Personally after I heard him do Unworthy of Your Love, I saw the song in a whole new way.
Very interested in Daphne and Lea Michelle, whom I have never heard.

[iTaLiAn xOx StAr]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 8:23pm

DAPHNE?! What the heck?!

Her voice ... Oh, God. How do I begin to describe Daphne Rubin-Vega's voice?