Michael Crawford, Michael Ball, Colm Wilkinson were all shot to fame because of their 80's pop shows, Rentboy.
Yes, Crawford had worked before that - but he took everyone by surprise with PHANTOM playing a completely different character than the public was used to. He was a comic lead, really, before PHANTOM. And if I remember correctly, Sir Webber even thought he was a long shot.
Michael Ball had one major credit to his name before being cast in LES MISERABLES.
And Colm Wilkinson's performance as Valjean will always be remembered as one of the best.
Today people can't really reclaim said status because, I think, those British shows were created to work like a machine. They weren't written to be vehicles for its stars. Instead, the actor had to make the role his own. And to these shows, that was dangerous. In order for them to work - they had to move as gracefully as a machine. They were created so every Valjean would be the same and every Phantom would be the same. They weren't made for completely different interpretations - good or bad. So the originals were really able to leave their mark on the role. Everyone after Wilkinson was a copy. At least that's how it would seem.
You can't deny people go see PHANTOM for the chandelier...but that's because the show wasn't created for its star...and thus isn't marketed that way.
But look at shows like FIDDLER, MAN OF LA MANCHA, OKLAHOMA, CABARET (even), and even THE PRODUCERS to an extent, for example. These show rely on their stars.
But, yes. It is easier to name shows with female leads.
Updated On: 5/11/07 at 12:19 AM
