Ramin's Replacement
Ramin's Replacement
#1Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:28amWho 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?
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
#2Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:36amNorm Lewis
Countdown til Jordan comes on raging about how much loves me! 3..2..1...
felixleiter
Understudy Joined: 11/10/12
#2Ramin's Replacement
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.
#3Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 11:49am
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#4Ramin's Replacement
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.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#5Ramin's Replacement
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.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
Updated On: 3/27/15 at 12:39 PM
Broadwaystar2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/4/13
#6Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 12:47pm
Adam Pascal: Bring Him Home
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n0JxrC98x-A
#7Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 12:57pmConsidering JOJ was the shortest-running Valjean in the last revival, he may not be particularly motivated to come back.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#8Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 1:00pmI 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?
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#9Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 1:56pmKind 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.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#10Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 2:02pmDon't care who replaces him, just as long at Norm Lewis is the next Javert.
#11Ramin's Replacement
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.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
#12Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 2:04pmBecause 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.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Broadwaystar2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/4/13
#13Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 3:06pmYes 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.
#14Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/27/15 at 4:52pmI 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.
#15Ramin's Replacement
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
Swing Joined: 10/6/14
#16Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/28/15 at 1:21pmIn my dreams, they bump up Aaron. Or Nate. Or they bring in Peter because he'll be back from the West End by then.
#17Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/28/15 at 3:49pmImelda, 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.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
hi127
Swing Joined: 1/18/14
#18Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/28/15 at 4:09pmI 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.
#19Ramin's Replacement
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
#20Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/28/15 at 7:47pmNorm 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.
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.
#22Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:28amHe'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
Featured Actor Joined: 4/10/11
#23Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 3/29/15 at 11:32amHow long do people expect this production to run for?
Broadwayfan503
Swing Joined: 12/8/13
#24Ramin's Replacement
Posted: 4/24/15 at 8:31pm
A perfect choice! His "Bring Him Home" ... there are no words...
Videos