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Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

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#1

Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/1/04 at 11:35pm

So I'm hearing a lot of love for Michael Ball in the thread about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and (The incredible) Raul Esparza. On that topic, What would be a great role for MB to come back to Broadway in - since apparently it's not going to be Caractacus Potts (at least not for a while!)

Just thinking about shows currently on B'way, the only thing I could really see him doing is The Phantom. (I know he played Raoul a long time ago.) I mean, I - for some crazy reason - can't quite place him in many/any other shows. Though he might be a fun Billy Flynn:) Who knows?
There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

Updated On: 11/1/04 at 11:35 PM

#3

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/1/04 at 11:42pm

AHHHHH!
"The stage is where I live and come alive and act out all the things that go on in my life. It's not just what I do for a living, it's my shrink and my love affair. No one in my life has ever or ever will kiss me on the mouth like this lover called my relationship with my performance."
#4

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/1/04 at 11:45pm

Really? Wow. That would be really... interesting to see. Not to say that he couldn't pull it off (I'm fairly sure he can pull of just about anything) but it would be weird to see him and then listen to some other actor sing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

Good to know, though!
There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.
#5

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/1/04 at 11:51pm

Oh my holy jesus!!! I am sooo going to try to plan a trip to see that. My mothers best friends cousins brother lives just outside of London. It looks like I'm going to be giving the bloke a call! Michael as the villian...I LOVE it! (Big surprise!!!)

As far as Broadway here and now...nothing seems right. I can't think of any shows.
"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL
#6

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/1/04 at 11:52pm

"My mothers best friends cousins brother lives just outside of London."

I just laughed so hard at that!
"The stage is where I live and come alive and act out all the things that go on in my life. It's not just what I do for a living, it's my shrink and my love affair. No one in my life has ever or ever will kiss me on the mouth like this lover called my relationship with my performance."
#8

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 12:09am

Damn it! I read it wrong! Now I'm all dissapointed!
"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL
#9

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:15am

Michael will ALWAYS be my favorite Marius, EVER.

Valjean is something different. But you wont see me in London any time soon so I guess Ill just have to imagine :)
*Krissy* **Support the use of illegal wood burning stoves. Get your own metal trash can today!**
#10

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 4:30am

He will portray Valjean in a Gala performance for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth in a concert version of Les Miserables along other former cast members and members of the current West End cast. There has been many rumors of a 20th anniversary concert with Michael being Valjean. I have to agree that the only role on Broadway at this time that would showcase his talents is Phantom but I think that is why there has been mention of his Alone Together one-man show. I also think a concert showcasing Musical theater songs, like the one last year at the Royal Opera House, or one similar to the one at the Sydney Opera House would also be great. He is also my favorite Marius.
#11

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 4:36am

"He's gonna be Jean Valjean in London sometime (I think) next year "

Actually, he's playing Valjean in one special performance. French President Jacque Chirac is visiting England sometime this month and the Les Miz cast is being bussed to Windsor Castle to perform before Queen Elizabeth and her guests. Michael and I think a couple of others from the original cast will also take part. There's been no further word as to whether Michael will take over the role on a regular basis.

As for something to bring Michael to the U.S. -- I suggest his one man show Alone Together. I saw this as part of the Singular Sensations progam at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, and it was outstanding. Basically, Michael tells the story of a performer's life through music, using songs from from many different sources, including "One" from a Chorus Line, Padam, Padam, I've Got No Strings, even a song from David Bowie -- Life on Mars? (not sure of the title at the moment). The second act of this show opened with a 15 minute medley of songs, different lines from different songs that all connected together that was amazing to listen to.
#12

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 4:45am

I understand the gala concert featuring highlights from LES MISERABLES is going to be performed at WINDSOR CASTLE as part of state activities in honor of visiting French President Jacques Chirac.

From what Michael recounts, Cameron Mackintosh asked him over lunch to play the senior lead role ( to which he aghastly replied - What, not the juvenile lead role anymore re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!) for this special occasion . Cameron Mackintosh has called Michael Ball the definitive voice of Marius ( and he will remain the same to me as such). But playing Valjean is now a new challenge. The 20th anniversary of LES MIS is coming up in 2005 - it would be quite a coup if Cameron can get together some of those identified with younger roles in the past to portray other roles in a limited run of Les Mis around the timing of its milestone anniversary ( Maybe Michael as Valjean, Anthony Warlow as Javert, Lea Salonga as Fantine, etc.).

#13

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 5:34am

I have to agree. The opening of the second act of Alone Together is really phenomenal. How he remembers it all I don't know. But it is a masterpiece. For those of you who have not seen or heard it you must.
#14

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 8:46am

"Alone Together" is a fantastic show. Having just seen it reprised at the Theatre Royal Haymarket I really think it would be perfect for a limited run over here. I loved the original version, but the few changes that were made for Haymarket worked really well, particularly the inclusion of "One" (brilliant self-parody in that number). For anyone interested, you can purchase the converted VHS or DVD (if you have a mult-regional player) of the Donmar Warehouse version "Alone Together" on-line at Discount Music Connection.

http://www.discount-music.co.uk/

As for roles currently on B-Way that he would be suited for...have to agree...other than Phantom I can't think of any. He was a great Caractacus, but that role was not vocally challenging enough for him

"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"
#15

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:19am

Michael Ball=Jean Valjean? Never occurred to me. It might be interesting! Sorry to disagree, but I just don't see Lea Salonga as a Fantine....but that's just me.
Currently: FASTRADA in Pippin Dream Role: Mimi in RENT "No day but today." "PATTI: Would you mind if I sang? JACK: Shut up, Patti LuPone! Shut your brassy, magnificent trap! I don't wanna hear you sing. I don't wanna cut your hair. And I certainly don't wanna hear you singing while I'm cutting your hair! Got it?! Now I'm talking to my best friend, so stand back, Buenos Aires!"- from Will & Grace
#16

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 12:42pm

Lea is my favorite Eponine. It would be interesting to see her as Fantine, although not my first Fantine choice.
*Krissy* **Support the use of illegal wood burning stoves. Get your own metal trash can today!**
#17

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:57pm

Ahhh...Michael Ball is my first love! My sister, my best friend and I actually considered going to Salt Lake City from the Mississippi Gulf Coast for a weekend just to see him when he was there. =) I would love to see him back on Broadway! I love the Passion recording with him!
I should have eaten the saw and used the cake to bludgeon my way out - Alfred Hitchcock
#19

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 4:23pm

May I start the "Never come back to Broadway, Michael Ball" thread? Anyone?
Variations on a Theme blog: http://panekattack.blogspot.com/
#21

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 5:13pm

judging by the complete lack of support from anyone else, I'd say no it's not necessary.

Michael Ball is a gem, and we should be so lucky to have him back on Broadway. It would rank somewhere between Barrowman and Warlow on the "valuable imports we don't deserve" list. I'd happily close most of the shows currently running in exchange for "Ball on Broadway" 4 times a week.

"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#22

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 5:33pm

I second that. I'm a bit disappointed that he won't be doing CCBB, but I hope something will come up soon...
#23

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 6:34pm

Well said Broadway Matt. You really have to see this man perform live to appreciate his talent. The voice (as spectacular as it is) is just part of it. The opportunity lost in Chitty, I really hope there is another avenue to bring him back to the States and to Broadway.
"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"
#24

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 6:55pm

I just don't get it...he was a good Marius.....but I can live without him. And as far as him doing PASSION....no thanks.
#25

re: Come back to Broadway, Michael Ball!

Posted: 11/2/04 at 6:58pm

well brodybaby, there are rumors going around that he's been in other shows besides Les Mis and Passion.

"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

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