Norm Lewis Replacement?- Page 2

[Starship]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:03pm

Cool! Next up we'll have George Zimmerman on Broadway!

[philly03]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:11pm

Great news for Jim. What a terrific vocalist! I believe he sang "Music of the Night" on his last album, "Bring Him Giants."

I also find it ironic - "The Beast of Broadway" is now the "Phantom"... I'm sure there will be plenty of (unnecessary) uproar if his past even regional performances give any indication. Truly a shame, he gave one of my all time favorite performances in "A Tale of Two Cities." Too bad the garbage came with it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:17pm

"Barbour should be blacklisted from Broadway"

Why? Is there something special about the industry that is "Broadway"? Tons of people in the entertainment business have committed misdemeanors. They do their time, pay their fines and move on.

His voice is crystal clear and perfect, great choice. Shame he's a Scientologist!

Updated On: 1/12/15 at 02:17 PM

[philly03]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:25pm

I don't believe he is a scientlogist anymore, either.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:25pm

He might have been booted out after his severe ethics violation. Tragically entheta entubulated.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:31pm

Can we go over the "alleged" crime? I always felt I had information missing. Is the allegation that he seduced a underage girl? He was found guilty by a court of law? Is he a convicted felon? Is he now about to star in a family musical? Can someone give me facts with links and backups?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:32pm

These Vocals definitely kick ass. I think I prefer this over Norm:

James Barbour Music of the Night

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:36pm

Dame, in what I have read it seems like she seduced him and lied about her age or he never asked her age. The details online are murky, so it is hard to make out exactly what happened. At the end of the day, she was 15 and he had some sort of inappropriate relationship with her. It is not a felony, only a misdemeanor, and he did not have to register as a sex offender.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:36pm

DAME http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/nyregion/04actor.html

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:40pm

Well, there you have it. he knew hold old she was. Dude is a creep. Still a good actor with a great voice though. He paid his debt to society, I don't see a reason why he shouldn't be allowed to work.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:43pm

What he did was so sickening. That poor girl.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:47pm

There is probably more to it. I've never been much of a fan of his to begin with. Always found his performances to be very affected and mannered, So I wouldn't be spending my money to see him in anything anyway.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:51pm

I am also sure there is more to the story. If I really cared, I would read the public court documents, but it really doesn't interest me quite that much.

[philly03]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:51pm

There is of course more to the story (ie who the victim is). The Post (including Riedel) crushed him from the time he did the Tale of Two Cities world premiere in Sarasota, through his stint in jail, and again when he was on Broadway. Far enough to contact the parents of the children actors in "Tale." Gross.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:53pm

As of 2014, he is still doing fundraising events for them.


Axiom!

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:56pm

"There is of course more to the story (ie who the victim is). The Post (including Riedel) crushed him from the time he did the Tale of Two Cities world premiere in Sarasota, through his stint in jail, and again when he was on Broadway. Far enough to contact the parents of the children actors in "Tale." Gross. "

I agree. Gross. So why is the theater community still embracing him? Do they know something we don't know?

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:57pm

From the article linked above, is sounds like he was required to notify parents of children he was working with as part of his plea deal.
From the first paragraph:
"A Broadway actor admitted on Thursday that in 2001 he seduced a 15-year-old girl who visited him backstage, and agreed as part of a plea bargain to reveal that admission to anybody he works for in film, television or theater for up to the next three years."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:58pm

I was surprised he ended up playing Valjean.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/photo-call-james-barbour-is-jean-valjean-and-anthony-fedorov-is-enjolras-in-322438

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:01pm

So the actors, crews, child actors, children of all employees involved in these shows...are they all ok with having him around? This is what I am trying to understand. The theater community must know him in a way we don't.. which in their eyes makes him ok.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:06pm

They are embracing him for the same reason Hollywood still embraces Roman Polanski. He is good at his job. At least Barbour followed through with his sentancing. Polanski chose to flee and no justice was served in that case.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:11pm

I get what your saying. But "hollywood" is not embracing Polanski. And the theater community IS a community... not a general "Hollywood ". People do have to show up and do a show every week, 8 times a week. Not show up for two days work, film a scene, call it a wrap, and never see these people again.

Updated On: 1/12/15 at 03:11 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:17pm

I think Hollywood is still a community, it isn't as tight nit as Broadway, but it is still a community. People still flock to work with Polanski, despite his disgusting past. I think most people separate their professional feeling from their personal feelings. I am sure there are still some folks who prefer not to work with these folks. That being said, it isn't like they have to be friends off of the set, they just work together, so they just keep it professional.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:19pm

No it is not. I work in the film industry. Hollywood is NOT a community, Sorry. It just isn't.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:27pm

I'm in the "he paid for his crime, now let's forgive him" camp. It was many years ago now. Let's move on and just enjoy his great performances. He'll be an amazing Phantom.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 3:27pm

LOL Fair enough. Maybe it is too cut throat to be a community.

But still, I think this is just a case where most will choose to put personal feelings aside for their profession. If the guy can do the job, then work with him and leave him alone. I don't know whether or not the Broadway community embraces him outside of work. I can honestly say that I probably wouldn't. As an audience member, I would like to see him in the role because I see talent (although you are not a fan) and as an actor, I'd still work with him. I guess that is all I can really say on the matter.