I just saw Hugh Jackman in his one-man show in Toronto and I was amazed at his range. Despite the raves and awards for The Boy from Oz, I still might have had doubts about his ability to play Valjean. Not now. I think he really has the chops to do it. And as others have said, they have the luxury of doing multiple takes until they get it right.
By the way, as of the Friday that passed, it’s not confirmed that he has the role, but it’s very, very close. This information was given by Hugh Jackman himself, on stage during his show.
Turning is one of the most important songs in the show. It’s not one of the best, but it’s one of the most important. As opposed to Castle on a Cloud, which is one of the best, but one of the least important. Turning shows the futility of war and, although Hugo didn’t stress it in his novel, the disproportionate impact it has on the genders. The men die, and the women are left to try to pick up the pieces and keep the family together. You see the men’s blood and you see them do violence to women with Eponine’s death, but you don’t see the other ravages of war except in Turning and in Dog Eats Dog, and that’s mostly the reprehensible character of Thénardier which comes in through in Dog Eats Dog.
I’ll be disappointed if they cut Turning, but if they do the show justice, finally, I’d be happy with that.
This way lies madness.
JM could do a crook and a rat bastard quite well, but, there is something of the perpetual loser in Thenardier that says “I’m not John Malkovich!”
It’s the fact that Thenardier is low rent-Malkovich is always upper class when he is murdering, or doublecrossing the hero, or what have you.
Agreed. While Turning may not be the most musically interesting song in the show, the lyrics are what’s important there. And if they cut Castle on a Cloud I swear I will go kiss whoever made that decision because I #$%&*ing hate that song. It is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Les Miserables is my favorite musical but that song makes me want to walk up on stage and kick that little girl in the face. Ugh I especially hate this part right after Castle on a Cloud proper…
“Oh help! I think I hear them now,
and I’m nowhere near finished sweeping and
scrubbing and polishing the floor.
Oh, it’s her! It’s Madame!”
Ugh ugh ugh. I just hate Young Cosette. Thank god she grows up quickly.