I’ve dragged poor Sebastian out to the movies to see the US showing of the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert tonight. I’m nervous. There’s a Jonas brother in it. I know nothing about Jonas brothers other than they appear on TMZ from time to time, and teen girls apparently throw their undergarments at them. Fortunately, this particular species of Jonas brother plays Marius, and I have no particular favorite actors in that role whose work said Jonas brother could destroy.
The characters that make me the most nervous are Enjolras and Javert. I don’t think there’s any room to improve upon those in the 10th anniversary concert “dream cast.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPpkTgMbhRU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuBNLsvNntw[/youtube]
As I’ve previously stated, Michael Maguire has the kind of voice to inspire some patriotism. If I’m not up on my feet and trying to lead a revolution in the theater during Red and Black, then the current actor playing Enjolras has failed. Not that I have high expectations or anything…
By the time you read this post, I’ll be well on my way to bawling my eyes out. I cry every time I see Les Mis. It’s just that good.
Worst Marius ever. The Jonas kid acts like a brat whose toy was taken away, not a man in love.
Such a great play. I saw it soon after I saw Phantom of the Opera and I loved Les Mis so much more.
Jonas boy slaughtered that whole thing
Javert was okay couldn’t be as good as the 10th anniversary though
I thought the only things that weren’t quite up to par of the 10th for Javert were in slight delivery styles. That could have been by order of the director as much as the actor. (I suggest that’s a likely source of differences since the same woman played Eponine in 1995 who played Fantine this year. I thought Fantine was a bit over-acted while her Eponine was just right.) For his vocal ability, I thought he was just as incredible as the 10th anniversary Javert.
I think one of the big differences was that this concert was actually barely delivered as a concert. It was very close to the real show – more props, more staging, more acting, and the delivery was more focused on how characters might be acting rather than simply singing the songs that make the musical great. I don’t know if I like that or not, to be honest.
I think when the cd comes out in the US, we may still buy it just because so many of the other characters were incredible singers. If we could figure out a way to dub Michael Ball over the Jonas creature, then it would be great. :)
Oh, I have to say that while I though the Enjolras was pretty good, he doesn’t have the passion that Michael Maguire does in his voice. I wasn’t ready to go lead a revolution after listening to him sing.
No fave actors as Marius? I was about to say “What about Michael Ball?” but you mention him in a later comment.
I do like Michael Ball in the role, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone in the role who makes me feel an emotional attachment to the character.
To be honest, even though I will now rate Alfie Boe as my all-time favorite Valjean, I wasn’t sure of him in the first couple of songs. When he really got into the emotional songs, I was just done for. And when he really belted it out in the encore of Bring Him Home with the 3 other Valjeans, I wanted to jump up on my feet clapping. I’ve been picky about my Valjeans before, but now I have a bit of an emotional attachment to Alfie in the role. Or at least his abilities as applied to those songs.
“I do like Michael Ball in the role, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone in the role who makes me feel an emotional attachment to the character.”
Aha. “Emotional attachment to the character.” I see what you mean.
Yeah, I’m a complicated girl like that. :)
I’m looking for that something special that draws me in to the performance. Just like technically, Anthony Warlow does a great Enjolras. But, there’s just something about Michael Maguire’s that makes me want to jump up and run off waving a flag into an opposing army’s camp.
I really do enjoy Michael Ball’s performance. I would rate his as better than both versions of Marius I’ve seen live.