Ramin Karimloo to reprise role as Jean Valjean in Toronto production of Les Mis?

[thespian geek]

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/onstage/article/1316058--les-miserables-returns-to-toronto-stage

"If you dreamed a dream of seeing Les Misérables live onstage in Toronto again, that dream will come true soon.

According to reliable sources, the 2013-2014 Mirvish subscription season will open this September with a production of the beloved musical currently earning major attention on the movie screens of the world.

The roster of players isn’t complete, but some impressive names are already on board and this version will feature revisions that producer Cameron Mackintosh and his creative team made for the show’s 25th anniversary tour.

Ramin Karimloo from Richmond Hill will appear in the lead role of Jean Valjean, which he previously performed at The Queen’s Theatre in London, England.

The 34-year-old has starred on the London stage in a variety of mega-musicals (including The Phantomof the Opera and Love Never Dies) but has never done a show on his home turf.

Karimloo was scheduled to make his Toronto debut as Bobby in the Theatre 20 production of Company this month, but once that show was postponed his involvement became impossible.

Melissa O’Neil, the Season 3 Canadian Idol champion, star of Ross Petty pantos and a Broadway veteran from Stratford’s Jesus Christ Superstar, will tackle the role of Eponine.

And Mark Uhre, who has made a strong impression at the Shaw Festival with his musical performances, will lead the student revolutionaries as Enjolras.

Quebec artist Genevieve Leclerc, who is playing the role of Fantine in the U.S. tour, is expected to continue in the role when the show reaches Toronto.

Cliff Saunders, whose resumé includes Beauty and theBeast and The Lord of the Rings in Toronto, as well as a critically acclaimed role in The 39 Steps on Broadway, will play Monsieur Thénardier.

And Lisa Horner will have to choose the greater of two evils: playing his wife, the venal Mme. Thénardier, or continuing as the Wicked Witch of the West in TheWizard of Oz, where she’s earning positive reviews.

Various other roles such as Javert, Marius and Cosette remain uncast. There is a possibility they will be filled from the current U.S production.

Les Miz was supposed to have arrived here in the summer of 2012, but casting problems stymied its return.

“I am delighted that we are finally bringing Les Misérables back to Toronto,” Mackintosh told the Star recently."

[bwayto]

Yes I saw this in the star this morning. However, this has been rumoured for quite some time around the Mirvish offices. Glad to see we're finally getting Les Mis! I was so saddened after the July 2012 engagement was cancelled due to "Casting" (ehem.... Money) issues.

[thespian geek]

I'd heard for a while now that Mackintosh wanted Ramin to play Valjean in Toronto when this production finally happened. I also remember hearing at the time that he wanted THAT production to transfer to Broadway, I think..? I could be wrong? The timing just seems convenient now if that was the case.

[GavestonPS]

I just discovered Karimloo when the Anniversary Concert version was rebroadcast on PBS and I'm sure he sings Valjean beautifully, but isn't he a bit slight to play that character? I thought ValJean's great physical size and strength were central to the story, no? (I know, I know, this probably belongs in the "Appearance" thread.)

[thespian geek]

He played Valjean a year ago on the West End opposite Hadley Fraser's Javert. I think if the two actors playing those roles physically match one another and look fit enough, it works. But that's jut my thought on the matter.

[LizzieCurry]

He's one of the skinnier Valjeans, but it's not like it hasn't happened before (Fred Inkley comes to mind).

http://london.broadway.com/buzz/159717/ramin-karimloo-on-trading-the-phantoms-mask-to-play-jean-valjean-in-londons-les-miserables/

[GavestonPS]

Fair enough. I haven't read the novel. But I did read several reviews of the film that said, "Finally! A Valjean who actually looks strong enough to play the part."

(Is the episode where Valjean hesitates to lift the carriage because his strength will betray him to Javert in the stage musical? I seem to have heard of that even without reading Hugo, and, of course, it was in the film.)

I thought Karimloo looked slight for Enjoiras (sic?), but he certainly won me over when he sang.

[thespian geek]

No, Valjean lifting the cart in front of Javert (I think?) is in the stage musical as well, though everything happens so fast at the beginning of the show that it fits in there awkwardly.

[GavestonPS]

Don't get me wrong; I'd love to hear the man sing the part. I was just surprised that he was considered right for it.

[Tsao5]

The body types of Valjean (and Javert) have been all over the map through the years.

Though the original Valjean, Colm, is not a big guy (nor was the original Australia Valjean-Normie Rowe) those actors who followed were more burley (think: Craig Schulman, Gary Morris, Bill Solo, Dudu Fischer,Tim Shew, Dave Clemmons, Randal Keith Donn Cook, Jeff Layton (London) and Ivan Rutherford).

Beginning in the mid-2000's in London, there was a shift and the Valjean's started to become slighter-David Shannon (who is on the promotional video for the London production) and Drew Sarich (pre-rocky: 6'4, 185lbs) come to mind, as does currently Peter Lockyer on tour.

Ramin in a CamMac darling, and can sing the part, and marketing wise it makes sense as he is known for the Phantom and Les Miz concerts, has a good resume and being from Canada doesn't hurt, eh?

[michellek45]

Peter Lockyer's slim build is pretty comical when he's singing "I am warning you Javert, I'm the stronger man by far!" in Andrew Varela's face. I liked Ramin as Enjolras, but he is WAY too young to play Valjean. At the start of the play Valjean is at least 39/40; Ramin has yet to breach 35. And he ends the play somewhere in his mid-50s, I believe. I've heard recordings of him singing Valjean, and he sounds more like Cosette's brother than her father. I think in another 15/20 years he'll make an excellent Valjean but for now, he's just too young.

[Dave19]

Let's hope this isn't true.

His "singing" is like a parody on musical theatre.

He manages to sing a whole song hysterically with NOT ONE note on key. That is not good.

[Wynbish]

I think he's marvelous

[thirtythirtyninety]

Valjean is 46 in 1815 when the story begins; he's 63 in 1832.

According to Hugo, anyway...

[KylePKJP]

I'm in the camp of those who hope this bit of casting does not come to pass. Yes, Karimloo emmigrated from Iran to Canada when he was young and grew up in the Greater Toronto Area. Though this is touted in his bio, and I am sure he is rightly proud of it, he is not a well-known name in Canada. A "name" as Valjean in Les Mis, while beneficial in terms of ticket sales, is not necessarily the sole selling point in attracting audiences to Les Mis - especially following the release of the film.

I completely give Karimloo his due as a singer. He got pipes! However my personal opinion is that there are equal and even far better singers active in the Canadian musical theatre scene who could portray Valjean over Karimloo. As an aside, the younger-than-Karimloo Irishman Killian Donnelly served as an emergency Javert and Valjean cover in the London production of Les Mis, performed both roles, and formidably surpasses Karimloo vocally.

Again my own opinion, Karimloo has a tendency to string every note together without any distinction in what I can only describe as a sort of wail. He also always seems so have a hint of a rock edge in his vocals as rock was heavily part of his musical beginnings and influences.

Hey - if it works and attracts an audience that can sustain a respectable Toronto run then best wishes for Ramin. I guess from where I sit the Canadian connection is a weak selling point and, as I look at him/his resume, I feel like he's done it. Move on, look for exciting new material and give the role of Valjean to a Canadian who isn't an expat (if they are in fact seeking a Canadian cast).

[Dave19]

My biggest problem is his constant off-key singing, everything is above the note.

In this clip, Valjean's Soliloquy, he does not sing 1 note on key in the entire song.

There are about 4 notes in the song that seem right, where he does his hysterical long, hard, straight notes, like a howl, wail, but if you listen carefully they are off key too. I think he is a parody on musical theatre. Everything is too much.

The things I love in other Valjeans and Phantoms is this quality that Karen Carpenter had, this relaxed, silky quality that is mesmerizing in the lower and softer registers. That is what singing is. Listen to John Owen Jones, wen he sings low notes, it is so relaxed and beautiful, yet strong and convincing, but it has nothing to do with this hysterical, off-key, mess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9WGxjBEtyQ

[GavestonPS]

I do hear what you are saying about Karimloo, but Karen Carpenter as Valjean? Really?!

[CarlosAlberto]

Is it right for me to say that I want Karmiloo to do me?

[GavestonPS]

Carlos, I'm sure we all took that for granted. (Not that I blame you.)

[Dave19]

That was just an example, I'm talking about a way of singing that actually uses the lower half of your voice, the relaxed vocal chords part, too. Not every note has to be so forced and end up being above the tone because of that....

[sparrman]

Dave19 -- While I think you wildly overstate Karimloo's vocal problems, I have to say I don't like his singing either.

I think it can be stated very simply: He has no lower range. None. I was appalled when I heard his Enjolras in whatever concert version of Les Mis it was that he sang it. In the lower parts of the role, he was shockingly off key. I decided that when a note was too low for him, he simply hit the lowest note he possibly could, and stuck with that.

His upper register is impressive, granted. But most of these roles he's playing (Phantom, Enjolras, even Valjean) are perhaps better served by a high baritone than a tenor.

[Dave19]

I think it is a serious problem that he is given those roles, while he actually can't hit more than half of the score.

Or actually, hit almost nothing, except for 4 high notes in the show. Is that enough for some people?

The middle and low parts are just as important. More important actually.

[Wynbish]

Dave, did he not call you back? Did he not write and send you a picture or something? Did he hurt you?

[Dave19]

Not liking a way of singing/voice equals personal problems with someone?

You've got issues.

[LizzieCurry]

LMAO

[beautywickedlover]

I am excited about Karimloo playing Jean Valjean. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am very much looking forward to seeing Melissa O'Neil play Eponine. I downloaded her performances from 'Canadian Idol' the year she won and I thought her voice was terrific. She also seemed likable and was a great performer as well. I wouldn't mind seeing Eva Avila, season 4's champion, as Cosette. She is extremely talented as well.