Ramin's Replacement — Page 2

They need to bump up Aaron Walpole. That man was an absolutely stunning Valjean. By far the best in this production (and of others I've seen in the past).

Alfie Boe would be really fun or John Owen Jones

i really like adam pascal but have a hard time hearing him in the role

does anyone know why JOJs last broadway run was so brief? i saw him in phantom in london 2002 and he was off the charts incredible!!!

John Owen-Jones is a wonderful Valjean, and my personal favorite. When his honey timbre and gentle falsetto meet for bring him home he brings the house down! I personally think Valjean is his best role as a character actor, even better than the phantom. The role of JVJ is like a second nature to him, he broke records as the youngest Valjean in history and he has been performing it since 1997 I believe.

Re: being "booked with another project." At best the new musical we hope that John will star in is unfinished and behind schedule. The concept album for An American Victory was supposed to have been released summer of last year-- there has been no explanation about the delay, and I do not know of a new projected release date for the album. Multiple members of the cast have sadly also been changed, the great Ruthie Henshall and great Hugh Panaro are no longer attached to the project. As far as I'm aware John is still interested in the show, but it looks like we have a long way to go. John might very well want something more concrete in the meantime like Les Mis, An American Victory may never even be made. Though I hope this is not the case. I would like to see him create a role in what sounds like a very serious drama.

John has already expressed his interest in returning to Broadway, though it is a little unlikely it will be in Les Mis. I think there are some arguments for why he should be considered. His reputation is larger than it was in 2007 when he first came, he is a very beloved actor, and his 2010 tour was very well-received. If Earl Carpenter is going to perform the Javert this would be an opportunity to recreate the chemistry he and J.O.J had in their previous show, they were both great.

Lets go back to Hugh Panaro too. He and J.O.J I think have a similar vocal range, I consider John the finest tenor voice on the West End and Hugh the best we on Broadway have to offer. If not John, why not Hugh then? He is a very capable character actor, had experience with the role both in 2008 and 2013, the later of which he won an award for. He brings the excitement and prestige of a familiar face-- a recent phantom and broadway veteran with decades of experience, yet we might also avoid the matinee idol salaries. He's had time to rest from the phantom and may be ready for a fresh start. He sounds like a sensible choice to me, and would sing the score divinely.

the show is not selling well, so unless they book in a major name, they will close it.

What's considered not selling well? The show routinely grosses over $700,000 a week.

"How about Cuccioli?"

I could be entirely wrong, but I remember reading somewhere that Cuccioli had some difficulties with singing the Jekyll parts in the J&H score, since he's apparently a baritone. If that's true, would he be okay singing Valjean?

Yes, I remember reading that, too. ^ Shame it didn't end up happening.

Not only does Les Miz have its own fan base, it has Phantom's, probably because there is so much cross-pollination between the two shows. If any Phantom has not played JVJ, it's probably because he's played Javert instead.

I do believe that Ramin as JVJ will be a hard act to follow. I was not impressed with him in POTO or on the Love Never Dies album, but he was amazing as Javert. I wonder if he'll be followed by another ex-Phantom, specifically baritone Norm Lewis, who is taking singing lessons, according to an interview I read or saw on television. He said he wants to increase his tenor range so he can have a chance to play JVJ someday. Unless he squeaks during "Bring him Home," he'd be celestial.

I thought Ramin was fine when I saw him, but I've definitely seen/heard better Valjeans out there, both vocally AND acting-wise. In my opinion, it won't be hard for them to find a good replacement.

"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."

John Owen-Jones originated Valjean in this production when it first opened in 2009 in Cardiff.

Oh God, I hope Alfie Boe will never return to Les Miz... the voice is excellent, but his acting is simply atrocious.

What about John Cudia? He did a nice job with Valjean in Chicago some years ago and it has been too long since his last performance on Broadway... his Phantom was stunning!

Updated On: 5/2/15 at 01:11 PM