Let's Cast the 2014 Revival of Les Miz! Go! — Page 3

My picks are likely going to get some eye-rolls, but I'm going to explain why I think they'd work:
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean (this is the role Jackman was BORN to play; he knocked it out of the park in the film and more than deserves a chance to reprise it on stage)
Earl Carpenter as Javert (I love Carpenter's version of Stars - as heard on the LIVE 2010 U.K. Tour Cast recording - and think he'd play fabulously off of Jackman)
Anne Hathaway as Fantine (Hathaway wasn't particularly known for her singing ability before the producers cast her as Fantine for the film, but, after the performance she turned in, she really should be the first person they approach for the role)
Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier (I loved the take on the role that SBC brought to the table and think it'd be perfectly adaptable to the stage; he's not the most dynamic singer in the world, true, but you really don't need a great singer in the Thenardier role)
Hannah Waddingham as Mdme Thenardier (I don't know if she'd do it, but Waddingham has a vocal style that would mesh very well with SBC's Thenardier)
Eddie Redmayne as Marius (I don't know about anyone else, but I really liked Redmayne's performance as Marius, particularly on Empty Chairs at Empty Tables; he really brought a remorseful, regretful quality to the song that I haven't heard in other performances, and I think he could very easily adapt his singing style for the live stage even though he has no formal experience in live theater)
Julianne Hough as Cosette (Hough has a really good singing voice and vocal quality that would be perfect for the role; I also think she'd play well off of Redmayne)
Aaron Tviet as Enjolras (I loved Tviet's performance, particularly on Do You Hear the People Sing?; it also doesn't hurt that he's got Broadway experience; he also plays exceptionally well off of Redmayne)
Samantha Barks as Eponine (she's already got experience in the role, and also has the talent to bring something fresh to the table while still drawing on that experience; she also had really great chemistry with Redmayne)

Julianne Hough as Cosette

Ok... Cosette is not a role that anyone who has sung any songs before can sing. Example: Her last note in "A Heart Full of Love". Yes, Amanda "sang" it, but I doubt even Amanda could sing it, let alone sing it beautifully, eight times a week or sixteen if you count the reprise near the end. Julianne would fail in that miserably.


For some reason, I can picture Claybourne Elder as Enjolras and Michael Cerveris as Javert

Updated On: 2/20/13 at 11:48 AM

"I can picture Claybourne Elder as Enjolras"

That thought never crossed my mind and yet it's perfect.

"There's a difference between Hough and Hall having similarities in tone than in range."

I come from a very musically oriented family - both immediate and extended - and therefore know from having personally seen it happen that you can tailor any given song to fit a particular voice without hurting the integrity of that song. I've personally seen my two oldest younger sisters sing songs that, on the surface, didn't seem 'right' for their voices and done an amazing job. Even if Hough CAN'T hit the highest vocal range on something like A Heart Full of Love, that shouldn't exclude her from being considered for the role.

Again, as I said, though, YMMV.

Valjean- Alfie Boe
Javert- Andrew Varela
Fantine- Sierra Boggess
Eponine- Samantha Barks
Cosette- Laura Osnes
Marius- Aaron Tveit
Thenardier- James Corden
Madame Thenardier- Jackie Hoffman
Enjolras- Ramin Karimloo

I'm never good at these things, if I actually try to be serious about it, but here goes...

Valjean - Ramin Karimloo
Javert - Michael Cerveris
Fantine - Lindsay Mendez or Betsy Morgan
The Thenardiers - Matt Lucas and Maia Nkenge Wilson
Marius - Craig Mather
Enjolras - Claybourne Elder
Cosette - Colleen Ballinger
Eponine - mind went blank

Updated On: 2/20/13 at 05:53 PM

I wonder if Linzi Hateley will finally make her Broadway return... Cameron asked her to come over for Fantine in the last revival, but now that she's playing Mme Thenardier, that would work too.

Ramin has been very keen to distance himself from theatre lately, and I suspect he is only doing Toronto as he has said performing in his home town is something he wanted to do, plus it would allow him to see friends/family. Im not sure how successful his solo album and in turn what future plans there are with that.

Im not 100% sure he would want to come to Broadway with Les Mis.

Id guess it would be Alfie Boe or Ramin. Outsider being the Spanish Valjean currently in London. They seem to be Camerons favourites at the moment

Gavin Lee is unlikely to ever be in anything that doesn't require dance. Having spent nearly 10 years playing Bert in MARY POPPINS around the world, and now playing the lead in TOP HAT in London, he has no previous credits that would suggest him for being suitable for anything in LES MIS.

Marius- I can't think of anyone but Eddie, although I really really really want to say Ricky Martin since this was his first broadway role but I know he's probably too old for him

It would be the first time Marius was practically a decade older than Valjean and Javert

Please, no Lea Michele.

Colleen Ballinger as Eponine and Laura Osnes as Cosette

Andrew Varela for Javert, please! You can cast anyone else you like in the other roles, just please give Andrew Varela a chance to reprise his brilliant turn as Javert.