Les Miz cast guessing- Page 5

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 9:45pm

I completely agree that it would be fantastic to have the cast mostly made up of people who've never been in the show before. It could end the recycling. (Not that Les Miz is as big an offender as, say, Phantom or Rent, of course.)

[beyondthebreakofday]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 10:03pm

Didn't Lea say in an interview that she would love to play Fantine so that she could play "both the dead girls"? It seems like this would be the perfect opportunity, though she will be busy with her new child. I feel that she has to be somehow involved- whether as Eponine or Fantine I think that we will see her for at least a short amount of time. But, perhaps that's just wishful thinking...

I'm still thinking about BSM as Javert. I can't really see it right now, but give me some time to think about it...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 10:08pm

I've thought for a LOOOONG time (as in, years before yesterday's news) about BSM as Javert. It'd be nice, but I don't see it happening.

Lea would be more suited to Fantine, I agree.

Also, I would be happy if Max Von Essen were not Marius. Or in it at all, preferably.

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 11:09pm

OMG, absolutely TERRENCE MANN as Javert!!!!

RAYMOND MCLEOD as Valjean or Thenardier
RAUL ESPARZA as Enjolras
MAX VON ESSEN as Marius
MANDY GONZALEZ as Cosette (so we don't have to suffer through a nails on a blackboard voice as in past performances)
JULIA MURNEY or ALICE RIPLEY as Fantine
LIZ MC CARTNEY as Madame Thenardier
JENN GAMBATESE as Eponine

[thejcm]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 11:56pm

Jennifer Holliday as Mme. Thernadier.
Stephanie Mills as Eponine.

Sorry, I'm on a Dreamgirls/The Wiz kick lately.

But for real, I'd love to see Randy or Ruthie back as Fantine, both owned the role in my eyes. Hey, bring back Frances too. I don't really care much about the rest of the cast, but those three define my entire Les Miz experience.

[kec]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:03am

"I would lovelovelove the chance to see Daniel Torres in the role. I think he'd be amazing."

I had this same thought -- Daniel as Marius. I'd love to hear him sing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

And, adding my wish for Michael Ball as Valjean -- or Javert.

Updated On: 2/18/06 at 01:03 AM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:06am

its over with i'm going to play marius you guys...jeez. lol

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:24am

I think I'd rather see Mandy Gonzalez as Eponine.

Julie Hanson or Marni Raab would make great Cosettes.

Updated On: 2/18/06 at 01:24 AM

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:48am

Only if Julie Hanson has learned to sing on pitch since her stint on PHANTOM.

[timote316]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:55am

MEF mentioned one casting bit pages ago that no one discussed... it's really got me thinking. Michael Arden would be fantastic as Marius! Too bad he'd be a bit busy with the Bob Dylan show...

[paulie23]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 2:17am

Menzel would be a great Eponine. She sang "On My Own" a go-zillion times at weddings which warranted a standing ovation.

[Poodle]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 3:53am

Some people will go for an actor because they're a fan, but it should be about getting the cast right to make this revival a huge success on Broadway.

I think the best Valjean since Colm is John Owen Jones who's currently playing the part in London. The last one I'd go for is Michael Ball because he dropped out of Woman In White after only weeks in the role here. Valjean needs someone with the stamina and ability to take on this demanding role and have the right voice for it. I've nothing against Michael Ball, but I think he'd put this fantastic revival in jeapardy. For Javert, I'd go for Philip Quast but as he's tied up in Evita, Mike McCarthy is equally good. Thenardier would have to be Alan Armstrong from the original cast. He could still do it. Ruthie's in town and I'd like to see her in this fabulous show too.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 4:26am

Why import people who were never involved in the production? Sure, it's a celebration of Les Miz, but IMO the past American performers (and there are hundreds, I'm sure) who have contributed to all three tours and the Broadway company should have precedence.

[tim10086]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 5:04am

Ideally, for me:

JVJ: Rob Guest (from the 10th anniversary finale)
Jav: James Barbour
Fant: Joanna Ampil
Ep: Lacey Chabert mmmmm
Enj: Patrick Wilson, what a legend
Mar: Hayden Tee, (London at the moment)
M.Then: Ernie Sabella
Mme.Then: Annie Golden.

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 10:23am

How about Lilias White as Mme. Thenardier? And I agree with Brian D'Arcy as Enjolras (or anything for that matter!)

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 10:44am

James Barbour should definitely be Javert. And I adore the idea of Laura Benanti as Cosette. Julia Murney as Fantine, Vicki Clark as Mme. Thenardier (don't remember who said that but I LOVE that idea as well), and... hmm. No idea for who could play Valjean. Michael Cerveris? Michael Cerveris and James Barbour, ohhhh man, that would be exceedingly hot. I might pass out.

Posted: 2/18/06 at 10:53am

Ep: Lacey Chabert mmmmm

Lacey looks the part, but that voice of hers isn't exactly suited to Les Mis. Where did this suggestion come from, anyway?

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 10:56am

"Some people will go for an actor because they're a fan, but it should be about getting the cast right to make this revival a huge success on Broadway"

FTR, this isn't a revival.

[sunsignleo]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 10:57am

Lacey played little Cosette as a child.

Posted: 2/18/06 at 11:26am

Lacey played little Cosette as a child.

Thanks! I vaguely recall reading that. Although... the voice needed for Eponine is drastically different from little Cosette's voice, and Lacey still has that nasal quality to her voice. I don't see it happening.

[JakeBraith]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 11:41am

the fosters would be wonderful, though the whole love tr1angle (sorry my "eye" key's broken) would be somewhat awkward, but completely based on the songs, that would be wonderful

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 12:18pm

Ho hum, am I the only one that does not want a bunch of unknowns?

Valjean: Colm Wilkinson
Javert: Just bring back Terrence Mann
Marius: Hunter Foster

Hunter Foster is a "known" to people outside of the community.

[Feathah]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 12:27pm

Okay, I LOVE Terrence Mann. Love him to pieces. He's one of my favorite actors. But I don't think he should return to the role of Javert again. It was great seeing him towards the end of the run. But it was one of the first times I found him to be pretty inconsistant and thought he made some strange choices. (Singing and talking through a clenched jaw, etc.) I'd like to see someone new.

Ohhhh I'd love to see Mandy Gonzalez as Eponine!

[matiboi]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 12:33pm

Max Von Essen as Marius
Elena Shaddow as Cosette
Tracy Miller as Eponine
Emily Skinner as Mme. Thenardier

[Cyndy]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 1:28pm

Valjean-Michael Ball
Javert-James Barbour
Marius-Max von Essen
Fantine-Alice Ripley
Cosette-Elena Shaddow
Mme.Thenardier-Liz McCartney