Ricky Martin as Marius in 1996?

This is news to me. I was just on Wikipedia and ibdb.com, and both sites confirm that Ricky Martin (yes, THAT Ricky Martin) played Marius in Les Miz in 1996. Apparently, this took place before "Livin' la Vida Loca" became a hit. Did anyone ever see him in it?

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Updated On: 1/27/07 at 04:21 PM

If I had heard of this before, I wouldn't have put a question mark after the title.

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Actually, he was very good in the role and very charismatic. He brought a whole new audience in because he was a soap superstar from General Hospital and already a Spanish-language music superstar. It was long before his (ultimately) short-lived cross-over into mainstream pop music.

After Les Miz, he was offered other Broadway musical roles but turned them all down...and insisted he didn't want to step into an already existing role and would only eventually return to Broadway in a newly created role. He has yet to do so and probably won't for a long while.

I think Ricky and the other former members of Menuda should rotate into Altar Boyz.

Also, he was heavily pursued to replace Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM OZ.

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Entertainment
Sunday February 15, 3:54 PM

Ricky Martin to light up Broadway!

New York, Feb 15 (ANI): Latin singer Ricky Martin could be the next big name to light up Broadway - he's planning to take over the lead role in musical "The Boy From Oz". According to a report in rate the music.com, the "Livin' La Vida Loca" star is poised to step into X-Men star Hugh Jackman's shoes when he finished his stint in the New York-staged production September this year.

However, whispers from the Manhattan theatre district suggest that the show may not last that long, thanks to a lukewarm critical reception. (ANI)

Updated On: 1/27/07 at 05:53 PM

Maybe my expectations were low too, but I didn't think he was that bad either.

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He may not be bad, but he's still Ricky Martin. He should have done Mambo Kings and then maybe it would have life.

When Hugh was interviewed about his possible replacement, had the show continued after him, he said that it was Ewan McGregor ( the first choice he mentioned) ...and Harry Connick ( not 100% sure about this) who were talked to. Although the late producer Ben Gannon did confirm that he had also talked to Russel Crowe who expressed initial interest. The rumor about Ricky Martin was never confirmed by anyone affiliated with the show( I could be wrong).

By the time the show closed, it was already on a sellout phase ( since after the TONYs) . But I guess the producers decided they would rather close the show than continue it without Hugh.

Updated On: 1/27/07 at 08:46 PM

Ricky wasn't to bad...

At least from the forbidden site video I saw.

One complant I have heard about Ricky's Marius is that he seemed too chummy when it came to Eponine. Watching that clip, I can see where they are coming from. Christeena Michelle Riggs seemed to be creating all the tension(knocking his books out of his hands).

He was my first Marius. He wasn't bad, and I don't remember anybody criticizing his performance at the time. That all came later, after he became famous as a pop star in America. That said, he wasn't extraordinary, either. Very middle of the road.

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He doesn't seem "bad" to me at all. Not award-worthy, but considering what some people praise to the ends of the earth around here, I think you need to rethink your judgement.

And yes, he was hired for this because of General Hospital more than his ties to Menudo.

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