Valjean understudy - Holy WOW!

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:23pm

Saw the new Les Mis last night and it was spectacular. I didn't see the last tour but it's completely different from the original production and it's thrilling. The cast is superb... the weakest link is definitely Nikki M. James but overall it's pretty stellar!

I was a little upset at first that the Valjean understudy was in... Aaron Walpole, but holy yowza... this guy was effing fantastic! He literally stopped the show after "Bring him home." People were shouting bravo and they wouldn't stop clapping for a minute or two... he had to stand there and just take it. I've never seen a stop in Les Mis before. Pretty remarkable especially for the understudy.

Samantha hill is also wonderful she could be singing at the MET soon if she wanted. Great surprise!

[loliveve]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:32pm

I'm so glad to read that because I know I will be seeing the understudy! (I bought my ticket before it was announced that Ramin Karimloo wouldn't be performing 8 times a week.)

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:33pm

How do you think the show will fare at the Tonys? Any acting nods on its horizon?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:34pm

There are two Valjean understudies. Has Nathaniel Hackmann gone on yet?

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 1:42pm

I went in thinking "we just had a les mis revival and there's no way this will be competition at this year's TONy's." But I walked out thinking... damn this is going to give Hedwig and Violet actual competition. I think we will definitely see a couple of these get tony nods. My fave was definitely Keala Settle... that girl is just amazing. I doubt she'd get a Tony nod for this but voters love her... There's also a definite possibility for Caissie Levy. Her acting was wonderful, but it's not the best I dreamed a dream you'll ever hear...

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 2:50pm

The last revival (which I personally refer to as a return engagement) was snubbed completely. Of course, there were four other productions eligible that year (110 in the Shade, The Apple Tree, A Chorus Line, Company), this year however, it's such a slow year for revivals as we're getting this, a return engagement of Cabaret, as well as both Hedwig & Violet, two 90's musicals being performed on Broadway for the very first time, so we'll see!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 3:27pm

I saw him Monday night. He had a rough start, but he got better as the night went on, and his Bring Him Home was incredible. I saw Nathaniel Hackman understudy Valjean on the tour, and he was INCREDIBLE. They really need to let him go on!

[brdway411]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 3:33pm

I saw both Ramin and Walpole. We will be returning over and over to see Walpole on Thursdays. He blew us out of the water last night. I, personally thought he was better than Ramin. As mentioned, he started out a little rough but, he nailed it when it counted. A true delight to watch and listen to.

[getatme]

Posted: 3/13/14 at 4:56pm

There are two Valjean understudies. Has Nathaniel Hackmann gone on yet?

He went on when he was on tour, but has yet to go on on Broadway. Aaron was on this week Monday-Wednesday.

I, too, saw Aaron last night and was absolutely blown away. I saw Ramin a couple weeks ago and found his performance to be pretty over the top. A lot of loud singing, a lot of sharp notes, a lot of playing more conversational scenes to a theatre much larger than the Imperial. Overall, I was pretty disappointed in Ramin. Aaron, I thought, was more grounded and natural. He has a completely unexpected but beautiful voice. I was thrilled by him.

[allery]

Posted: 3/14/14 at 4:13pm

Was a fan of Aaron's when he appeared on Canadian Idol - Glad to hear people are enjoying his voice.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 1:43am

I saw Aaron Wednesday night too, and I thought he was fantastic. As I famously said on the other thread, I was prepared to leave at intermission if we got the understudy, but he ended up being one of the main reasons I stayed. (I did feel like some of the physicality was staged for Ramin, who's obviously a different body type, but that's small potatoes.) No doubt Aaron was making a lot of new fans this week, myself included. I don't think this show is going anywhere anytime soon, so I'd love to see Aaron take over when Ramin leaves.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/15/14 at 8:47am

everythingstaboo-I'm with you-Aaron's voice is lovely. His rendition of "Bring Him Home" got wild applause and deservedly so-such a powerful instrument.

I also loved his acting choices and thought he was very good. It was hardly a disappointment.

[PTOPhan]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 10:06pm

In terms of body types, I wonder if the alternate JVJs are taller than Ramin -- he always struck me as too short for the Phantom, whom I picture as tall and lithe (and older) and for JVJ, whom I picture as tall and brawny.

Regarding Samantha Hill, I saw her on Broadway in, I think, her second performance as the alternate Christine Daae. She blew me away, and I wasn't surprised when she became the main Christine and Marni Raab became the alternate.

BTW, is "alternate" the correct term for an actor who plays some in some of the performances every week? Does it matter if they switch off equally or if one is clearly primary?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 10:09pm

Re: nomenclature
I don't know if it is; this situation isn't quite the same as Frankie Valli, Christine, Kim, or Evita for just that reason you mentioned.

[Timmerbo]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 3:24pm

Aaron placed 3rd on a season of 'Canadian Idol' back in the day. I was always impressed by his ability to act pop songs (however subtly), and his voice is tremendous. Only after seeing him on TV did I realize I'd already seen him as a gangster in Guys and Dolls at the Stratford Festival, where he understudied Bruce Dow as Nicely Nicely. Glad to hear that he's going on as Valjean and winning folks over.

[Tag]

Posted: 3/17/14 at 5:01pm

Aaron played Lonny in the Toronto run of Rock of Ages. Quite the opposite of JVJ!

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 10:56am

Hoping to see him August 10, SO EXCITED!!

[prouvaire]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 11:23am

I saw Aaron Walpole about a month ago and thought he was incredible. His Bring Him Home was gorgeous. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[cknick]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 1:09pm

Samantha hill is also wonderful she could be singing at the MET soon if she wanted. Great surprise!

Have you been to the Met?

Updated On: 7/25/14 at 01:09 PM

[broadwayfan1995]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 10:36pm

I've yet to see Nathaniel as Valjean, but I saw Aaron back in May and he is FANTASTIC. I highly recommend going to see him when he's on. You will not regret it.

[Movidude742]

Posted: 7/26/14 at 1:13am

No knock on Ramin, but he had so much hype I was kinda meh to him. There was no way he could have lived up to the expectation. Aaron I knew from Jesus Christ Superstar and Rock of Ages which are such different vocal styles that he just blew me away. Easily my favorite JVJ experience live in person