Les Miserables Anniversary Concert

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:47am

I know they were talking a while back about making a 20th Anniversary Concert or something for Les Mis. Does anyone know if they are still planning on doing that next year?

Sorry if this has been discussed already...

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:55am

Well, the 20th anniversary (in the US) would be 2007, which is not next year.

[kec]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:56am

The question was raised on another message board a couple of weeks ago, but no one had any answers.

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 11:09am

Well the 10th anniversary concert was based on the London opening so I assume the 20th would be as well.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:15pm

There's going to be a concert performance for the Queen and French President Chirac at Windsor Castle, isn't there? With Michael Ball as Valjean. That's what I heard.

I think they should make a big deal about the 25th year anniversary.

[EDIT: It was Windsor Castle, not Buckingham as I previously wrote.]

Updated On: 11/9/04 at 01:15 PM

[kec]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:19pm

Yes, a special -- I guess you could call it a "command performance" -- of Les Miz will be done at Windsor Castle next week. And yes, Michael Ball will be playing Valjean.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:20pm

well, the US anniversary year is inconsequential. the real 20th is next year. I guess the Wembley Stadium thing didn't pan out.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:23pm

I would like them to release a DVD of the full version of the musical. Not just in concert but all the blocking and action included. And with some good up and coming performers, rather than some of the old farts that are a little passed their peak. Updated On: 11/9/04 at 01:23 PM

[scotty]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:24pm

'Wembley stadium' does not exist anymore supposedly. Michael Ball as Valjean..........hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:26pm

I personally like the idea of Michael Ball and Judy Kuhn being forced to portray the young lovers well into their golden years. a full DVD would be wonderful. It'd be fun to see Colm trying to carry Michael Ball around at current fighting weight.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:28pm

Colm did do a wonderful job "carrying" (well, more dragging) Marius around in the wonderful 1998 return engagement in Toronto.

Oh my god, that was 6 years ago. I feel old.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:30pm

oh I have no doubt that Colm is still a rock. the problem is that so is Michael Ball these days.

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:36pm

Yeah, I saw Colm a couple times in Toronto as well, he really did an amazing job, and I honestly am not even the biggest fan of him.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:40pm

I really can't deal with him in any other roles. He was born to play Valjean, and I'm happy if that's all I ever see him in.

[AbsolutKnight]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:44pm

HAHA I just heard him singing a version of "Pity the Child" from Chess. It was interesting to say the least.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:47pm

I really can't deal with him in any other roles. He was born to play Valjean, and I'm happy if that's all I ever see him in.

He was a really amazing Phantom for many years in Toronto. But I agree, he was born to play Valjean - it's his definitive role, and fits him like a glove ("Bring Him Home" was, after all, written specifically for him).

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 1:56pm

I didn't care for his Phantom in the least. It was also a little disconcerting seeing him be romantic with Rebecca Caine, who had played Cosette oppposite his Valjean originally. Mainly I don't find his voice to be fitting for the part. I've always been a big fan of the Phantom being a more operatic singer, so Crawford and Colm are low on my list. Not to take anything away from Colm's utter brilliance as Valjean!

Absolut, "Pity The Child" has broken many a fine performer. There should be a law restricting its use.

Updated On: 11/9/04 at 01:56 PM

[mizzie]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 3:30pm

Colm Wilkonson was supposed to have a concert at our town theatre - I actually applied to be his opening act(and almost got to be!) - but now the theatre has been sold so noone knows whats going on!

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 3:53pm

I thought I had read that Colm had been having some problems with his vocal cords. Is that true/Not true?? I am all for a 20th Anniversary concert. Don't know if they can top the last because it was fantastic

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:11pm

To the best of my knowledge, Colm's vocal chords are fine. He's retired, though (he retired after doing Phantom in Toronto, I believe -- and came out of retirement briefly to do a year stint in the 1998 engagement of Les Miz in Toronto and Dublin). I know he still performs at charity events in Toronto, where he currently resides.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 7:30pm

Thanks I guess that is how rumors start.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 11/9/04 at 10:46pm

In my opinion... I think the 10th anniversary people should make the full DVD. I truthfully loved all of them as their roles... especially JAVERT! he was so amazing... and of course Lea.
I would actually want to see Marius back, becuase I just loved him. He was amazing as Marius... and that really stinks that he is retired. I'm sure they are not going to ask him, becuase he was in the 10th anniversary one.

No offense to all those who like Michael Ball, but I liked Javert better in the 10th anniversary.

2007 is coming up folks... ... ... I really hope they don't pick an Eponine that is whiny, like the Broadway version of Les Miz.

~Kangaroo

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 12:23am

No offense to all those who like Michael Ball, but I liked Javert better in the 10th anniversary.

Do you mean Valjean, or Javert? Because Michael Ball will be performing Valjean at Windsor Castle. I agree with you that the 10th Anniversary cast is PERFECT. I wouldn't change a single thing about it, it was like theatrical ecstacy.

2007 is coming up folks... ... ... I really hope they don't pick an Eponine that is whiny, like the Broadway version of Les Miz.

The 10th Anniversary of Les Miz is actually next year, 2005. The Broadway anniversary is 2007, but alas the Broadway production has closed.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 12:29am

Michael Ball as Valjean... WHOA.

Yes, the TAC cast was perfection! Loved every single one of them, especially Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshall, Michael Ball, Judy Kuhn, Michael Maguire....so yeah basically everybody. I can't believe I still don't have the DVD...

[kangaroo]

Posted: 11/10/04 at 12:33am

I meant that I loved the Javert more so than Valjean. I thought Michael Ball was the Valjean in the 10th anniversary? But still, that cast is perfect.

Is there techincally a 10th anniversary DVD? Because I have only ever seen VHS.