There is a lot of hype surrounding the return of Les Miz to Broadway in 2014. As cliche as it sounds, Les Miz is my favorite musical. I saw the show at the Pantages Theatre in L.A. back in 2004 and it totally blew my mind. The music, acting, and singing was dynamic and enthralling. It was an experience I shall never, ever forget.
Anyways, with the hype surrounding a 2014 revival of Les Miz, many theatre-savvy folks are discussing their ideal casts for the revival, and I figured I'd throw in my two-cents worth (although when you think about the broad scope of the internet, it's probably worth .000000000000000000000000000001 of a cent, if that).
Without further ado, here is my dream cast for Les Miz:
Jean Valjean: Mandy Patinkin
Mandy Patinkin is one of those performers people either love or hate. Personally, I love him (okay, I don't like him in Evita, but he is wonderful in Sunday in the Park with George and The Secret Garden). I have wanted to hear Patinkin sing the role of Valjean since listening to the OBC recording of The Secret Garden back in 2003. His high falsetto notes in "Race You to the Top of the Morning" reminded me of the same high falsetto notes in "Bring Him Home." However, it is highly unlikely that Patinkin will appear in the role, since he was a Broadway All-Star during the initial run of Les Miz and has yet to play the part, and he may be considered "too old" for the role. But, hey, this is my dream cast, and I'm gonna dream!
Javert: Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris is one of the best Broadway baritones out there. He was phenomenal in shows like Tommy, Titanic, Sweeney Todd, and Assassins. I think he would be a Javert powerhouse!
Marius: Josh Groban
Josh Groban's Broadway debut is looooooooooooooong overdue, and I think Marius would be the perfect role for him. I first got into Josh Groban's music my freshman year of college, and I remember listening to his stuff and thinking, "This guy would make a great Marius!" I've stuck to my opinion, and I would walk to New York to hear him sing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."
Fantine: Christiane Noll
Christiane Noll is one of my favorite Broadway performers. She has a beautiful, clear voice that can sustain a beautiful, soaring soprano as well as a strong belt (listen to her sing "Back to Before" from Ragtime). Similar to the Josh Groban story above, I've been yearning to her her sing the part of Fantine since I first listened to the OBC recording of Jekyll and Hyde, and I haven't given up on that dream yet!
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Eponine: Laura Osnes
Years ago I remember watching You're the One that I want, and although I liked Laura, I was never over the moon about her. However, over the years she has sustained a steady and successful career, showing off her versatility as a classic soprano and powerful belter. When I first listened to "Dyin' Ain't So Bad" from Bonnie and Clyde, I thought, "Man, I would LOVE to hear her belt out 'On My Own!'" I really hope it happens!
Cosette: Emma Watson
I've never heard Emma Watson sing, but I know she was considered for the role of Cosette in the movie, and I am confident that she could have done a much better job than Amanda Seyfried (seriously, I've yet to meet anyone who liked her in the film). Emma Watson has stated before that she would love to be on Broadway, and I think she could add more depth to Cosette than what we've seen in the past.
Enjolras: Aaron Tveit
I thought he did great in the movie, and I would love to see what he would do with the role on stage.
Thenardier: ?
Seriously, I have no idea. I'm open to suggestions on this one.
Mme Thenardier: Victoria Clark
I know you're probably thinking WHAT? But hear me out. Before making a splash on Broadway with her classic soprano vocals in The Light in the Piazza, Victoria Clark played some smaller character roles on Broadway such as Smitty in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and Alice in Titanic. I think she would be both hilarious and powerful as the vicious Mme. Thenardier, and provide a strong counterpart to whoever plays Thenardier.
Well, that's it folks. As I implied before, it's all highly unlikely that any of this will happen, but I will continue to dream on.
