Les Misérables returns to Toronto—but will Justin Bieber play the lead?
We nearly started to sing in the office when we heard the city’s latest musical theatre news: Les Misérables is coming back in 2012. After what’s been a gruelling six-year absence, the beloved musical will return to the Toronto stage next July with an all-new, all-Canadian cast, producer Cameron Mackintosh told the Toronto Star yesterday. The British impresario will team up with Mirvish Productions to stage the epic adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, which follows the redemption arc of reformed thief Jean Valjean set against the backdrop of the 1832 rebellion in France. But we’re starting to wonder whether Mackintosh is losing his marbles: he’s considering Justin Bieber for the part of Marius.
We already winced when we saw Nick Jonas’s squeaky, laboured performance in the 25th-anniversary edition, but the Biebs is an even worse choice. We love the kid as much as anyone, but his voice has barely even changed yet. He’s much better suited to the role of rascally street urchin Gavroche than the romantic male lead. (Others, particularly in the tween demographic, might disagree.)
Meanwhile, we have some of our own casting ideas, like Colm Feore as the dastardly Inspector Javert, Adam Brazier as Enjolras and Chilina Kennedy as Fantine. As for the role of Jean Valjean, we can’t imagine anyone but Colm Wilkinson in the part. He’s a little older than the last time he donned Valjean’s iconic blue and red jacket, but a recent solo show in Toronto proved that he still has what it takes (and he can still hit that high A).
(Image: Justin Bieber, Audrey Pilato)
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