Ramin's Replacement

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:28am

Who would you like to see take over Jean Valjean once Ramin leaves the show in August? Do you think they'll bump up an understudy?

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:36am

Norm Lewis

[felixleiter]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:47am

Since the show is basically just an extension of the 25th anniversary tour I would think that they probably will go with one of the people that have played it on the road. I'm thinking Lockyer, or McVey, etc.
It's too hard to stunt cast and aside from the shirtless photos of Ramin around town, The advertising is not about a specific performer playing a role, so I doubt that they are going to make a huge casting splash when the time comes.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:49am

LOL: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/fans-want-adam-pascal-to-be-broadways-next-valjean-rent-star-weighs-in-345287

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:52am

The last time I heard Adam Pascal sing, about a year ago, his voice was ragged. I can't imagine he'd be able to make it through a week of performances as Valjean, even if he wanted to.

Norm Lewis is all wrong, vocally.

I'd love to see Jason Danieley play Valjean, but he's doing THE VISIT currently.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 12:39pm

I don't know if Norm can hit all those high notes. I'd LOVE to see him reprise his role as Javert, though!


Personally, I'd like to see Alfie Boe take over, but I know that there are very slim chances of it happening. I'd also like John Owen-Jones, but I think he's booked with another project.

Updated On: 3/27/15 at 12:39 PM

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 12:47pm

Adam Pascal: Bring Him Home

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n0JxrC98x-A

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 12:57pm

Considering JOJ was the shortest-running Valjean in the last revival, he may not be particularly motivated to come back.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 1:00pm

I thought this production was trying to get away from the last production, which was so similar to the original. Do you really think they would bring in a LES MIS veteran?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 1:56pm

Kind of. Andrew Varela and Peter Lockyer had been in the previous staging, but in different roles. Ramin had played Valjean in London. J. Mark McVey was Valjean multiple times before he joined the 25th anniversary tour. Laura Mulcahy (Mme. T in the Sydney 25th) had been an understudy in their last revival.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 2:02pm

Don't care who replaces him, just as long at Norm Lewis is the next Javert.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 2:02pm

"Do you really think they would bring in a LES MIS veteran?"


Why not? As long as the vet based his or her performance on the new production's style, I don't see why the powers that be would have too big an issue with it.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 2:04pm

Because this production stated that they were trying to learn from the mistakes of the last revival and not rely too heavily on what they've done before. Of course anything is possible, but it seems more likely that they'd try to bring in someone fresh.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 3:06pm

Yes PLEASE give new people a shot. What's the use of putting the same people in the same roles. And I'm pretty sure after Phantom, Norm Lewis doesn't want to step backwards.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 4:52pm

I heard a recording of Nehal Joshi's Valjean from the Dallas Theater Center production and I've since fallen in love with the idea of him doing it on Broadway.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 3/27/15 at 6:05pm

Norm Lewis couldn't play the role more than once or twice a week, baritones aren't supposed to play tenors' roles: the notes are to high for him! He would damage his voice and couldn't sing it 6/8 times per week.

It would be nice to see Adam Pascal having a career again, but please not as Jean Valjean! Peter Lockyer is doing les miz in London and we don't know if he's leaving in June or not... he's pretty good, I'd like to see him on Broadway!

I think they'll probably take a former Les Miz or Phantom cast memebers like Hugh Panaro or someone else...

[hopefulundertone]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 1:21pm

In my dreams, they bump up Aaron. Or Nate. Or they bring in Peter because he'll be back from the West End by then.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 3:49pm

Imelda, Randal Keith is one BIG exception, but it's not like he was incredibly rare as far as baritone Valjeans, either. I'm not sure if Norm Lewis is right for Valjean, but a strict "no baritones" rule wouldn't be a reason why.

[hi127]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 4:09pm

I have a feeling that his replacement will not come from the most recent tour, even though I think Peter Lockyer is an amazing Valjean. Many current and past cast members of this revival played the leads on the tour (Jason Forback, Betsy Morgan, Max Quinlan and Briana Carlson-Goodman) but were never originally cast or promoted to leads. I assume that they are trying to differentiate themselves from past productions.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 6:07pm

Mark McKerracher is one of my favourite Valjeans and he's a baritone! I was talking specifically about Norm, who had some struggles with the higher notes in Phantom and Valjean has even more high notes to sing! I adore Norm, but I think Valjean is out of his range vocally.

Updated On: 3/28/15 at 06:07 PM

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 3/28/15 at 7:47pm

Norm Lewis indicated in an interview when he was still the Phantom that he'd like to work hard and be able to play JVJ. I just don't know about Bring him Home, even though he'd be superb otherwise.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:12am

Steven Pasquale

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:28am

He's presumably going to be busy for the foreseeable future, but I have always wanted to see Brian D'Arcy James in this role.

[Jay94]

Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:32am

How long do people expect this production to run for?

[Broadwayfan503]

Posted: 4/24/15 at 8:31pm

A perfect choice!  His "Bring Him Home" ... there are no words...