Who is your favorite Cosette in Les Miserables?

For me, Cosette has always been the character in Les Miz who is the palest adaptation of her character in the novel. In Hugo's novel, Cosette is an innocent, charming young girl who is on the verge of womanhood--utterly lovely in every way. In the musical, Cosette comes across (at least to me) as a bird brained half-character who serves little purpose at all.

That said, the material presented is so weak, there's not much hope for an actress to really do much with the role than stand there and look/sound pretty. Rebecca Caine on the OLC and Judy Kuhn on the OBC probably come the closest of making me care for Cosette. The best I can explain is that they actually attempt to show motivation for the character--Kuhn provides emotional dimension and heart to the character. Caine evokes the loveliness of the girl-woman from the novel.

As for the Cosettes I've seen, none of them stand out to me. None was any better or any worse than the other. As long as you can stay on pitch and not sound too shrill, you've done an acceptable job.

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What about Ali made the producers decide to bring her Cosette to Broadway? Was she significantly different than the others?

No, not at all. I just want to know if she has a different interpretation of the role. I've only seen Les Mis once (twice if you count at my school), and I don't recall caring for the Cosette at all.

It's just that there are so many people who could do the role. I just wanted to know if she was amazing .

Oh--if it matters, I saw her on the tour, not in previews. Her interpretation may have changed since then.

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 06:06 PM

Hrm ... I have a few favorites, but my all-around favorite is the lovely Sandra Turley. She was meek at first but seemed to gain a backbone as time went on, and her voice is absolutely liltingly lovely. I was a really big fan of Leslie Henstock when I first saw her, but as time went by, she seemed to lose the wonderful high notes she had in the beginning. Ali Ewoldt is one of the highlights of the current revival cast, IMO. My old-time favorite is Regan Thiel who was the most lively Cosette I've ever seen. And "Honorable Mention" goes to Heather Ferguson and Rena Strober.

i've never seen les miz before but i love "castle on a cloud" or whatever it's called.

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 06:51 PM

^ Little Cosette sings Castle on a Cloud

I felt nothing about Cosette's performance when I saw it. IF she had a solo, then I'm sure I would've cared more about her as a character, but I feel like Cosette's unnecessary naive character.

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I actually deeply enjoy "I Saw Him Once." I like it better than the recitative of "In My Life" that Cosette sings before Valjean comes in. It just seems more faithful to the character in the novel.

If you want a song from the OLC that slowed the song down, might I suggest "Little People"?

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that's hard because it's one of those thankless roles like Raoul in POTO, but to an even greater degree. regardless of the authors' intentions, not many people are willing to sympathize with adult Cosette because of their Eponine fetish. it's also a soprano vocal part that can be very grating when not sung properly. I've seen a number of different people perform the role, but the only one I really loved was Christeena Michelle Riggs. There was another gal on tour who was really good too, but all I remember is that she was Mormon as well. I don't know why but it's one of those odd cultural trends. Mormons make good Cosettes, the same as Canadians make the best Rogers in RENT.

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I've basically disliked every Cosette I've seen, except Leslie Henstock. I at least enjoyed her voice and her stage presence.

I too enjoy "I saw him one" from the CD, it's nice.

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Judy Kuhn. The original Broadway Cosette. No if's ,and ,or buts about it.

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Debbie, excuse me Deborah Gibson without a doubt.

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