Norm Lewis: Les Miz revival's Javert?- Page 2

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 11:36am

Ooh! That actually sounds like great casting, if it works out.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:08pm

Valjean veterans such as Schulman, McVey, Keith are more than likley getting the nod from Mackintosh. It makes dollars and sense. "Marquee names"to you many not be the same to Mac. I'd venture to say he is not sharing your opinions.

The only thing I can confirm is that Schulman is indeed "being considered" for Valjean. ( I work with Craig, for those who may/may not know)It's certaintly your choice to think he and other Les Miz leads are icky but he played the role for 10 years with 6 different contracts and McVey may very well hold the Broadway record. ( I know he was the one last thing good about that show when it closed, despite the way he was snubbed from the closing.) Cameron will not chance this role.

Lea Salonga's "Little Fall of Rain" is about to turn into a visit from the stork. She was pregnant when I last saw her. A new mom in her 30's playing a 20's Eponine opposite a 40/50's Valjean? with a contract for 6 mos? That's crazy. They'd have to offer her the sun and the moon for this.

I can't say who's being considered for Javert that's anymore than speculation at this point. But my money is on Mackintosh casting former Les Miz male leads first and the girls roles are up for grabs. And...NO I don't think it will matter if he cast Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. People will come in on busses to see this again for 6 mos.

just my opinons folks. Have a good one!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:39pm

These people may well have a track record on Broadway that goes back a number of years. However I stand by my "icky" statement. None of the Broadway Valjean's are on the same league as the talent thats been on the London stage throughout the years. For whatever reason Cameron used different criteria for casting this part on Broadway.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 1:01pm

Looks 99% true about Norm. I just heard back from Elizabeth Maupen who wrote the article. She said " Norm told her personally AND it was in the concert program". Now if I get a call back from Norm, then I'm a believer....and doing the happy dance for him.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 1:11pm

Good for Norm! I've been a fan of his for awhile now and think he's so underrated and deserves a huge role like this. He is just so talented, what a voice!

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 1:56pm

I agree with little_sally...I'm looking foward to seeing what he'll do with the role. He's not too hard on the eyes either...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 1:58pm

Oh no, he is very very good on the eyes.

And what a voice!

He should be great. I can't imagine why someone would have a problem with this. Norm is one of the greatest working actors on Broadway today.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 2:09pm

Looks 99% true about Norm. I just heard back from Elizabeth Maupen who wrote the article.

Yay!

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:32pm

99% ...happy, happy. Of course, I'd be estactic if he told us it was in ink! Hoping it's listed as "will play Javert" and not "being considered for Javert" in that program.

But then I'm trusting our guy Norm to be a smart fella.

[sanda]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:38pm

I still hope they can try harder to get Stokes do it.

Please, please.

And for Valjean, if they bring Les Miz veterans from Schuman, McVey and Keith, my vote will be McVey.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:39pm

Yeah, I don't think Norm is foolish enough to announce something before it is solid.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:41pm

I still hope they can try harder to get Stokes do it.

Because CLEARLY, if you can't get Stokes, get someone substandard like Norm Lewis!

*snort*

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:44pm

A black Javert...?

[sanda]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:46pm

Lizzie,

I am not agains Mr.Lewis. I know he is talented. I just want Stokes, my most favorite actor, to do my most favorite show so much. Of course, if they couldn't get him, I will accept other solid choice happily.

Don't take it personal.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:47pm

JudasIscariot: You've never heard of Cornell John?

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:48pm

Yes, he plays Javert in London, right?

I'm not trying to sound racist, but I don't like the idea of Javert being black.

I hope he has a great voice, I won't judge until I've heard it.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:52pm

well, then let's paint him green and he could be Elpha-Vert?
Yeah, they could combine songs... how 'bout "Stars Defying Gravity". What's with the colors folks?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:52pm

Why can't he be black? Just curious. I mean, after all, they are singing pop ballads in 1800's France after all.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:55pm

I don't know, but something really irks me about the idea.

See, I love Les Miserables and I always imagine Javert as being white. I really don't enjoy colorblind casting. It takes away from something for me to see Javert who I've always envisioned as white, played by a black man.

I'm not saying that my vision is always right, I am just saying what I think. I'm going to try to keep an open mind though, I just hope he doesn't dissapoint me.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:55pm

THIS IS A NO WANKERY ZONE. I HAVE DECREED IT SO BECAUSE IT IS MY THREAD DAMMIT!

(Nothing has happened yet; I'm just taking preventative measures. )

Updated On: 4/8/06 at 03:55 PM

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:56pm

"I'm not trying to sound racist, but I don't like the idea of Javert being black. "

That is very strange. He is sooooo good! I cant wait!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 4:01pm

Besides, if you want to get really picky, Javert is one of the few characters who has no blood relatives in the story. It makes sense if you look at it that way, as compared to all the Asian Eponines and black Fantines in the past.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 4:26pm

Don't worry, I still have an open mind. Lizzy, does Norm have a website or anything I can go to listen to any of his voice clips?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 4:29pm

The current London cast has a black Javert and Enjolras. Plus in the recent past we have had a Phillipino Fantine with a White (Welsh!) daughter Cosette. On both occasions I have not cared less. Its LesMis. Colour blind casting works just perfectly in this show.

So what about Miss Saigon then? The part of John was created by a White guy (the fabulous Peter Polycarpou) and yet in almost every recast its been played by a black actor (current UK tour being a notable exception)....Would you feel cheated in seeing a white actor play John?

I think not

I dont think are being malicious in what you are saying at all. I just think its typical of a certain image that casting enforces on us with this sort of show. Most people will have seen the 10th Anniversary Concert and then compare everyone to that because its the visual they can see again and again. Therefore it becomes the default image when you think of this show. I am almost as guilty when it comes to Rent. Whenever I imagine Collins or Benny I picture a Jesse or Taye. If I see a future amateur production in the UK with white actors playing those parts I will flinch for a sec. But then be able to accept it

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 4:06am

Judas, I've tried, but it appears Norm Lewis doesn't have an official website. Oh well.

Kringas, I know what you mean -- when something goes against the norm (no pun intended, I swear), it does make you sit up and take note. Even if there is no maliciousness behind it. I'd seen two Equity tours of Miss Saigon before I saw a regional production which had absolutely no black men in the cast. (So John was white, too. He wasn't so great. But I didn't dislike him for not being black; I disliked him for his lack of acting ability. )