Welcome to Broadway John Owen Jones!

[kec]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 8:26am

As mentioned previously, John Owen Jones, who has been playing the role of Jean Valjean in the London production of LES MISERABLES since 2005, makes his Broadway debut in the that role tonight.

I wish John all the very best, and I look forward to seeing him (again) in the role in a couple of weeks.

Break a leg, John!

[sanda]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 9:22am

I am going to see him in near future as well. Break a leg!

[loveplays]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 9:53am

I saw him when I was in london this past april. I thought he was excellent. I hope he does well on broadway. Break a leg

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 11:31am

Seeing John Owen Jones and Judy Kuhn tonight...so excited!!

[kec]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 11:37am

Loveplays, I saw John in the role in April as well -- I went specifically because I knew I wasn't going to get back to London for some time and wanted to see him one last time. Little did I know then, that I would get to see him in the role again, and on MY side of the pond!

WAT -- full report please.

[zooxanthellae]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 8:22pm

If anyone is seeing Judy Kuhn and John Owen Jones tonight please let us know how they were. Thanks! Best of luck to both them!

[bially082]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 11:54pm

JOJ was the best Valjean I've ever seen. He was astounding tonight. He made Sarich, who I strongly disliked, look even MORE like a high school kid than he already did to me.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 12:29am

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1478089

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 12:40am

Not to be a thread pirate, but um, how has Drewbee's reception been so far? I'm curious to know if the Engalanders are feeling him at all.

[kec]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 8:18am

I haven't seen any comments on the West End Boards regarding Drew yet.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 8:43am

Best cast I've seen overall with this revival (and I've seen it three times). There was only one actor I didn't care for...will go into more detail later!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 10:11am

Judy Kuhn was absolutely brilliant. It was thrilling to see a member of the OBC of Les Mis in this revival. Her "I Dreamed A Dream" was gorgeous and I am so happy to have seen her on stage. Hopefully she will never leave Broadway again...what a talent.

John Owen Jones was also fabulous. His "Bring Him Home" practically stopped the show. It was so heartfelt and emotional.

Also loved Gary Beach (who I didn't care about the first two times), Max Von Essen, Megan McGinnis (On My Own was wonderful), Adam Jacobs, and that actors who played Javert and Madame Thenardier...I don't have the playbill with me.

I didn't care so much for the girl who played Cosette. She looked older than Judy Kuhn in costume, for one, and I didn't care for her voice. I enjoyed Ali Ewoldt's performance much more. It's too bad Judy couldn't have done BOTH Fantine and Cosette last night! Judy still looks like she can be 30 years old on stage...it's crazy to think that she's pushing 50!

Overall though, the show was fantastic...the best I've seen with this revival. I would highly recommend seeing this cast.

[JKlock]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 10:23am

thankyou withoutatrace! I am so excited to see it again next week

[p.s.]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 10:27am

JOJ was the best Valjean I've ever seen. He was astounding tonight. He made Sarich, who I strongly disliked, look even MORE like a high school kid than he already did to me.

I loved both Alex and Drew. I've felt that their performances alone (as well as Lea's) were worth the price of admission. I'll be there tonight and I hope I feel the same about JOJ and Judy Kuhn.


p.s.

I haven't seen any comments on the West End Boards regarding Drew yet.

Yesterday, I booked January vacation holiday to London, including two nights at Les Miz Les Mis hoping to see Drew. I'll report back afterwards.

[kec]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 10:33am

Thanks, Without A Trace... and bially! glad to hear John is in top form! I am sooo looking forward to seeing him again in a couple of weeks.
Updated On: 10/24/07 at 10:33 AM

[sanda]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 10:55am

hehe, I keep refreshing this page since WithoutATrace promising a detailed review. Now I get it. Thanks a lot.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 11:36am

Good to hear everyone is doing well. Judy and John are worthy replacements and I can't wait to see them in January!

[istillbelieve24601]

Posted: 10/24/07 at 9:58pm

Is Judy better than Lea as Fantine?

[JKlock]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:32am

I'm sure that will be answered on a basis of personal preference istillbelieve...you've got two amazing actresses both with outstanding voices

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:36am

They are different...liked them both equally. Both are leagues better than DRV though.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:53pm

Ant pics of Judy in costume yet?

[kec]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:57pm

How about some photos of John?

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:11pm

Is there any more reviews of Judy's performance as Fantine? Is she brilliant like Lea Salonga as the character?

[soulgrrl]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 9:56pm

Bravo to John Owen Jones portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Mis. He was absolutely brilliant in the role. When singing Bring Him Home, you could feel the palpable air of rapt attention in the hall. This man simply has one of the most beautiful voices ever.

Overall, the show was fantastic and the cast filled out beautifully. I was a little disappointed to have missed Lea Solanga in the show but was looking forward to Judy Kuhn's performance. Unfortunately she was out but Rona Figueroa (believe she understudied) did an admirable job.

Robert Hunt's turn as Javert was also wickedly good. He almost stole every scene he was in & was clearly a crowd favorite.

This having been my first time seeing the show, it lived up to all my expectations...minus the two biddies to the left and the two behind who gabbed inappropriately throughout the show....arrrgh!

John Owen Jones certainly has a new fan in me! Definately a must see before he returns to London!

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 6:04pm

Yes, you can say that again. Robert Hunt was "wickedly good"! He was a perfect cast for Javert. His performance demanded attention and delivered with power and authority. Vocally flawless too.

I can't wait to see Jones' in the Valjean role. I've heard many rave reviews from London.

Has anyone seen Judy Kuhn in the Fantine role yet? Any reviews?

Updated On: 10/28/07 at 06:04 PM