Tony Winner Lea Salonga to Join Les Miz as Fantine — Page 5

I saw both preformances today (wednesday 1/3)and I asked Lazar how his back was. He said it was doing better. I had asked him if this afternoon's preformance was his first one back and he told me that tuesday nite's was. I saw the show again at night and the understudy was on. I think that until he is fully healed on a two show day Lazar is only going to do one preformance. He also siad that the production staff gave him the green light to ease back into the show slowly cus they want him to be better.

Now, I think that Lea as Fantine is going to be a good idea. It was interisting, someone asked DRV today after the matinee sp? if she knew who was going to be replacing her. She said Lea.

Also, it was known prior to rehersals that DRV would be leaving early to do her other show. Her other show was planned before she even auditioned for Les Miserables.

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A revival cast recording is a great idea.
Oh, on the discussion of the half-Filipino cast members, Adam Jacobs is also half-Filipino.

Article on Adam Jacobs

Great article musicaltheatre1! I especially loved the "Filipino time" tidbit in the end. As a filipina myself, it's great to see actors like Lea, Adam, and Allie on stage. I love how the revival cast is so culturally diverse!

I'm super excited that Lea is coming back to Broadway! I saw her in Flower Drum Song and her concert at Carnegie hall. Great casting choice! Can't wait to see the show =]

Doug Kreeger is part Asian, too! :)

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winston89, while it was known Daphne would be leaving to do another show, it was almost always set that she would return once that other show was done. Her not coming back was a decision that was made by either her or the creative team very recently.

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When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was too good to be true, and would turn out to be full of speculation and rumours. This is FANTASTIC!

I too am excited about how motherhood will affect her acting, especially playing such a hardcore mother! Also, though this is not certain, it is possible that Daphne's performance will inform Lea's, as I'm sure she will watch it at least once. Of course Lea will not go the exact same route, but she may take some sort of inspiration, ya know what I mean? DRV, love her or hate her, raised the bar for how much you can do with Fantine.

Already booked 6th row center orchestra on March 27! I'm so glad this works out perfectly with my Spring Break...

Are there two Enjolras covers? Or is Sarich the only one? (He's the only one I've read about going on, anyway.)

I'm starting to think this production has ranked understudies. Especially since Haviland Stillwell won't be going on as Fantine during the break between Daphne and Lea. There must be an unlisted second cover for Enjolras.

"DRV, love her or hate her, raised the bar for how much you can do with Fantine. "


I sincerely believe the bar was lowered, not raised, by her performance. It's all the majority of the audience talked about at intermission, and afterwards, and it was all negative (what's wrong, is she ill??, etc). I believe those who loved it were in the minority, as judged by exteremely negative audience reaction during the performance, which was very unusual for any actress at any performance I've ever been to.

I'll be thrilled to see Lea in the role am am looking forward to it!

Sorry Daphne, you were just miscast here.... I'm sure your next role will fit your great talents much better.... Good luck!

I've seen Nikki as Belle, and she was so much fun -- gorgeous voice. She also really stood out in Lestat, where her few solo lines were a breath of fresh air. (The rest of the cast was great, too, but there's something distractingly beautiful about her voice.)

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I agree, Lea has a voice and a presence, this was a smart move, ticket sales will show it. I now have to find a way to get to New York.

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Updated On: 1/4/07 at 05:18 PM

Oh you poor dear!

Did you see it in NY too?
I admire your valiance.

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 07:05 PM

Bumping because THIS is the thread that deserves to be up top...

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This awesome news!!! Love Lea and I know she'll be one of the best Fantine's ever!

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Filipino coverage: http://www.pep.ph/articles/views/11692/

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