Josh Groban as Jean Valjean

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 5:34pm

I've always been a fan of Josh Groban's and after seeing this I wonder what the chances are that he would ever take on the role either on Broadway or London.  I think he would be great!!

Updated On: 4/8/15 at 05:34 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 5:48pm

Wow!!! He sounds outstanding! I have no idea if he can act, but I would be willing to give him a shot after hearing that. 

 

However, it seems like Mackintosh is aiming to cut costs with this revival's Broadway replacements. I expect Ramin's replacement to be pretty unknown. 

Updated On: 4/8/15 at 05:48 PM

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:01pm

Perhaps his "star status" would offset his cost as I have no doubt his name would "PUT BUTTS IN THE SEATS" 

[Pootie2]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:03pm

"Wow!!! He sounds outstanding! I have no idea if he can act, but I would be willing to give him a shot after hearin that.    However, it seems like Mackintosh is aiming to cut costs with this revival's Broadway replacements. I expect Ramin's replacement to be pretty unknown. "

I don't know about Josh Groban's theatrical potential, but he did study acting before singing, and his break-out acting/singing performance was on the TV show Ally McBeal. (I distinctly remember that episode, too. "Who is that kid?!")

Updated On: 4/8/15 at 06:03 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:07pm

He was hilarious in Girls and It's Always Sunny.  I dont' see him as Valjean until he's a bit older, though.

 

He would have been brilliant in Once, though.

Updated On: 4/8/15 at 06:07 PM

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:26pm

Until he's older? 

Josh is 34

Ramin is 36

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:31pm

I'm aware, but he's still quite young looking and scrawny.  Doesn't work for the part.  

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:33pm

How has this man not reached Broadway yet?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:35pm

He expressed a lot of interest in playing Guy in Once.  He's an international superstar singer who tours all over.  But, I hope he comes to Broadway soon.

[jo]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 6:46pm

The name is Josh Groban, not Grobin.  He does have a big music career and has an impressive number of successful albums.

Didn't he once sing the role of the Russian in a concert version of CHESS?

[sarahb22]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 9:30pm

But this isn't the first song from Les Miz that Josh has sung! Check this out (and look who's accompanying him!!) Warning: a little  naughty language...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 9:32pm

Wouldn 't hurt the box office.

[sarahb22]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 9:36pm

I think Groban would make a pretty awesome Marius, myself. I'd love to hear him sing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 11:13pm

Yea, he'd done Chess at Royal Albert Hall (the one with Idina Menzel, Kerry Ellis, Adam Pascal... that's available on DVD), he's fantastic in it.

I've seen him live in concert, too, and he is just as an amazing singer live as you would hope... and he is really funny which I hadn't known before I saw his show.

I hope he comes to Broadway soon, I don't even care what part. I think his voice can do a lot of things, and he could probably pull off both a dramatic and a comedic part acting-vise... Just cast him in something! ASAP!

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:05am

Updated On: 4/9/15 at 10:05 AM

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:50am

"I think Groban would make a pretty awesome Marius, myself. I'd love to hear him sing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.""

 

You won't have to wait long ... "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" is included on his new album "STAGES" which is released on April 28th. Here's a listing of the tracks.
Stages Track Listing

1. Pure Imagination – Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
2. What I Did For Love – A Chorus Line
3. Bring Him Home – Les Miserables
4. Le Temps Des Cathédrals – Notre-Dame de Paris
5. All I Ask From You (w/ Kelly Clarkson) – The Phantom of the Opera
6. Try to Remember – The Fantasticks
7. Over the Rainbow – The Wizard of Oz
8. Children Will Listen/Not While I’m Around – Into the Woods/Sweeny Todd
9. You’ll Never Walk Alone – Carousel
10. Old Devil Moon (w/Chris Botti) – Finian’s Rainbow
11. Finishing the Hat – Sunday in the Park with George
12. If I Loved You – Carousel (w/ Audra McDonald)
13. Anthem – Chess
14. Gold Can Turn to Sand – Kristina Fran Duvemala (Deluxe Edition)
15. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables – Les Miserables (Deluxe Edition)
16. If I Can’t Love Her – Beauty and the Beast (Target exclusive track)
17. Dulcinea – Man of La Mancha (Target exclusive track)

[dev101]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 9:43pm

wow i never would have thought of him for the role until that video! WOW

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:09pm

Not to threadjack, but I'll NEVER get over the difference between Michael Ball (circa 1995) and the Les Mis 10th Anniversary vs. what he's looked like for the past, oh, gosh, decade? What happened to him?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:34pm

Holy CHRIST that track listing is A MAH ZING!!! 

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:55pm

It's really nice to see someone do a Broadway themed album and do some lesser known songs, not only the standards everybody sings. Or, I guess I should say, lesser known to people other than musical nerds

[Justin D]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 12:43pm

He sounds great there, is that in the same key as the original though? because he didnt do well in Music of the NIght that one time. (remember when he was rumoured to play Phantom at what I think was to be the 20th anniversary RAH concert that ever happened)

I'm just sure I like the look of a tall skinny Valjean, saw Drew Sarich and as much as I love him, I just not sure long and lean is a good look for Valjean

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/10/15 at 1:16pm

I wouldn't say that Ramin is any bigger

[sctrojan65]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 9:26am

I'm really eager to hear his rendition of "Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 10:16am

He's got the pipes, and age isn't a factor since John Owen-Jones was only 26 when he first played the role. I'm not sure he's enough of an actor to pull off the angry, menacing convict Valjean at the beginning of the show, though. He's just too cute and Hobbit-like. :)

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 6:47pm

I cannot imagine a more beautiful performance of this. I have always liked Josh Groban, but I never appreciated what a lovely secure range he has.