von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#1von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:22pm
April 24th is new cast day.
"Assuming the role of Javert (replacing Norm Lewis) is Ben Davis. Taking over the role of Madame Thenardier (replacing Jenny Galloway) is Ann Harada. Stepping into the role of Eponine (replacing Celia Keenan-Bolger) is actress Mandy Bruno. And assuming the role of Enjolras (replacing Aaron Lazar) is Max von Essen."
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=16837
Updated On: 3/20/07 at 05:22 PM
#2re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:27pmOK, I maybe need to see Ann Harada as Mme. Thenardier. Holy crap.
MovieGuy1031
Broadway Star Joined: 11/13/06
#2re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:27pm
For me this announcement just came out of nowhere!
I mean, I knew they were all leaving, but wow, I just didn't expect the announcement of the replacements so soon.
- Eeyore
#3re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:28pmWow, I didn't realize Celia was leaving.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#4re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:29pm
I don't necessarily blame her....not with this production.
Updated On: 3/20/07 at 05:29 PM
#5re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:33pmAnn Harada will be awesome! This is very exciting!
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#6re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:40pmHaha, I remember seeing Max Von Essen before the original closed as one of Thenardiers gang or something. Interesting, I'd like to hear him in the role.
#7re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:42pmAnyone know what Celia's up to next? She was the only one i was suprised to see was leaving.
#8re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:49pm
Sucks for Drew Sarich. He was a real highlight for me when he was on for Aaron.
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#9re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:49pm
Max was the last Jean Prouvaire. I hope he's more exciting than he was as Jesus. 
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#10re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:50pmHe was Prouvaire? I played him before, I didn't know that.
theminutepast
Broadway Star Joined: 2/1/06
#11re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:51pm
I don't like how Les Mis has a preference for re-hiring actors who have appeared in the production before. I think that's what has made the production grow stale and lack innovation.
If anyone wants to see a picture of Mandy Bruno, here's a link: http://www.dailyceleb.com/production/index.php?view=event&eid=4079&cap=mandy+bruno
Updated On: 3/20/07 at 05:51 PM
#12re: von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:56pm
I don't like how Les Mis has a preference for re-hiring actors who have appeared in the production before. I think that's what has made the production grow stale and lack innovation.
Yeah, but FWIW neither of the male replacements have played those particular roles before. And it's really something that they're getting two completely outside hires at the same time.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#13von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:22pmThe more you ruv Les Miz, the more they will extend it.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#14von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:24pmInteresting choices. Ann Harada is interesting as Mdme Thenardier to me but I'd love to see it. And I was really hoping for Megan to move up to Eponine. And Max? They sure want to tempt me.
theminutepast
Broadway Star Joined: 2/1/06
#15von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:36pm
I know the two males haven't played those specific roles before. I was refering to the general practice of recycling actors who've been in it before.
Oh, and I was surprised Lea Michele didn't try for the role of Eponine again. I assume she wants to stay with SA longer, but she's said Eponine is her dream role and she wants to play it sometime. She would attract more people than Mandy Bruno.
Updated On: 3/20/07 at 06:36 PM
#16von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:36pm
OMG! Ben Davis is playing Javert!!!
*Takes deep breaths*
This just makes me want to put more pressure on my family to take that trip to NYC this summer.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#17von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:38pmtheminutepast - you can't be serious (re: Michele attracting more people than Bruno).
#18von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:42pmVery good casting. Kind of can't belive that they are leaving though.
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#19von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:42pm
I want James Barbour as Javert. But I love Ben and would love to see him as well.
Too bad I cannot catch Aron when he is in his best form. Max von Essen is a great choice though.
#20von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:48pm
I am SO excited to get another trip to LesMiz in ... With these replacements! As much as I LOVED the original cast, I have high hopes of getting a pair of tix for me and my father. 
Thanks for the post!
Best,
- Mike
#21von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 6:49pmSteven Pasquale would've made a great Javert. Or a great Enjorlas, for that matter. Doesn't really matter, though---this production is beyond saving.
#22von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:02pmDidn't Pasquale actually audition for Enjolras some years back?
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#23von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:35pmI find Essen to be a little bland in everything he does. But I'd like to see him in this production. Maybe he'll prove me wrong.
#24von Essen, Harada, and more enter Les Miz April 24
Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:40pm
Yes, Steven Pasquale would have made a great anything (I don't know if he ever auditioned), but Max von Essen is a great choice. Does anyone know if Mandy Bruno has stage/singing experience, I really don't know anything about her. Thanks.
This is random, but I would love to see Pasquale play George in the Sunday in the Park revival that is coming next year.
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