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Le Switch: London Valjean Will Trade Places With Broadway Valjean in October
By Kenneth Jones
05 Sep 2007
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Jean Valjeans John Owen-Jones (top) and Drew Sarich (bottom).
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| photo by Michael Le Poer Trench (top) | Think of it as a high school foreign exchange program, but for Broadway and West Ends pros. Cameron Mackintosh's Broadway and London productions of Les Misérables will swap Jean Valjeans this October.
John Owen-Jones, currently playing Valjean in Les Miz at the Queens Theatre in the West End, will make his Broadway debut in the role beginning Oct. 23 at the Broadhurst Theatre. On Oct. 22 Drew Sarich, currently playing Valjean on Broadway, will make his West End debut in London's Les Miz, currently the world's longest-running musical production, now in its 22nd year.
The duration of the pond-hop has not been announced.
John Owen-Jones, originally from South Wales, became the youngest actor ever to play the massive role of Jean Valjean at the age of 26 at the Palace Theatre. He recently returned to the London production for its record-breaking 21st anniversary year, also performing the role for a special concert version of the show for BBC Radio. Owen-Jones also spent four years playing The Phantom in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera, making him the West End's longest-running Phantom. John's first solo CD recording, "Hallelujah," was recently released.
Drew Sarich performed the role of Grantaire in the original cast of the current production, assuming the role of Valjean in July 2007. He was also recently seen on Broadway as Armand in Lestat. His Off-Broadway credits include Jacques Brel…, Tony n' Tina's Wedding, and he also created the role of Quasimodo in Disney's stage version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Berlin. His other European credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hair (Berger), Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus and Judas). In 2000 Sarich released his first album, "Say It!"
The current Broadway production of Les Misérables opened at the Broadhurst on Nov. 9, 2006. It currently features Sarich as Jean Valjean, Robert Hunt as Javert, Lea Salonga as Fantine, Gary Beach as Thenardier, Ann Harada as Madame Thenardier, Megan McGinnis as Eponine, Adam Jacobs as Marius, Ali Ewoldt as Cosette and Max von Essen as Enjolras.
The original production of Les Misérables is the third longest-running show in Broadway history.
John Owen-Jones is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.
For tickets visit Telecharge.Com or call (212) 239-6200. For more information visit www.lesmisnewyork.com.
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