Stars (Les Miserables in Concert -The 25th Anniversary, O2 London, 3 Oct)

[bookwork512]

Your so lucky if you got to be there.....

[simisketches]

I love his voice but I wish he didn't cut the notes so short

[AquillaMusic]

I definitely preper Philip Quast's gruff voice for the part of Javert but I must say, this guy have a beautiful tone.

[surita88]

He is very believable as Javert, he is tall and he has that look on his face.

[heberlogo]

dont even want too do the song any more becuse of how gud he did it

[shirkenXCCR]

Best jevert voice. Ever!

[MrDan1906]

he sings really good but Phillip Quast is soooo much better!

[Powderwombat]

Philip Quast did it better.

[Avalon1929]

I think he's the most awesome Javert ever....

[BROADWAYaddict1313]

Everyone stop hating.

This "black" javert is probably the most talented yet and it says NO WHERE in the plot that he should be white. I mean just listen to him for god's sake...

[rexebuza]

@BROADWAYaddict1313 It ist true, it is never explicitly mentioned. But I doubt a black man was given the opportunity to become a police officer in the 19th century France.

Evenso, He gives a great performance. Of cource he can not compare to philip quast, but then no one ever will. Especially in Javert's Suicide there ist a great difference in the quality of those performances....

[leapjrh]

@BROADWAYaddict1313 Dear God, I couldn't agree with Broadway any more. Norm Lewis is nothing short of absolutely fantastic here. When I listen to Lewis, I am convinced that Javert's character is before me. It pains me to no end to see people criticize every man who plays Javert because he doesn't sound like Quast. My assumption is, Quast himself, agrees with me.

[BROADWAYaddict1313]

@leapjrh I couldn't have said that better if I tried...this version gives me chills every single time! He shouldn't automatically be deemed bad because he isn't Quast! Norm Lewis' version is. so. beautiful.

[Neevo87]

@BROADWAYaddict1313 agreed!

[mathilordi]

The gentleman has a fantastic voice, but, he is not Javert, Philip Quast is and always will be Javert to me.

[gregoriresputin]

I prefer the 10 anniversary to this one. This gentlemen truly has a remarkable voice but, I thought the 10th was more plaintive and passionate. In the this one I felt he was speaking to the audience rather then pleading to God. I thought that was a departure from Jarvert's character and the theme of the song.

[pearlywhites82]

This guy is amazing. I literally can't get over how good he was. I choose 10th anniversary for every song except for this and maybe Bring Him Home.

[usagireni]

real acting starts at the mouth. This guy could be a case study on how to perform. I hated fontane in this production, and Val Jean was sub-par... This guy though is amazing. I like him better than any other Javert, mostly because I feel his desire in this, while the others just... well they were pretty, but not very moving.

[unopeneddoor]

@usagireni

So you didn't like Alfie Boe? I thought he had the best voice of anyone EVER playing ValJean.

[chaksheba]

He is awesome as I believe what he is singing, He also is acting it out like it should be...FANTASTIC!

[comedynut2011]

good diction, but i didn't get that presence of Javert, that Quast did so well!

[seanmd80]

What presence.



[sattljes]

I love this man's diction.

[flootentooten]

fab, I thought only Phil Quast did this song any justice, this guy is fantastic!

[Kadzuku]

I do prefer Phillip Quast, but this version is pretty amazing.

[drc500free]

Maybe I hadn't paid enough attention to the subtleties before and just seen Javert as petty and evil. Javert as an equally powerful and righteous counterpoint to Valjean changed the entire performance for me, like a misguided Templar instead of a generic 'bad guy' antagonist.

[Champain11]

yep i think i just melted.... he's everything i dream to be and even more.....

[Sandra123064]

I think this guy is amazing...now I'm a Norm fan too! He'd make an amazing Valjean, has the range to pull off the character. Look past the superficial stuff...he's brilliant.

[Bigs84]

The BEST Javert! Period!!!

[Robi6942]

@Bigs84 you cannot be serious!!! have you seen or heard Philip Quast??

try watch?v=urxk4mveLCw&feature=re­lated

[marquitos41]

He is not Philip Quast, but pretty good.

[gracesbracesarefit]

saw him a few weeks ago in west end. by the of the show he was my best javert ever. and i have seen it 8 times. GO NORM. what an amazing voice, so much emotion.

[AnimalLuva2010]

brilliant :)

[jojoyoyo2006]

This sucked. I felt no pity for his version of Javert....I was kinda happy he was gone after this horrible interpretation.....

[TheBlizzardcat]

To the references about color of skin.......

Get a grip!

Open your mind!

Music knows no color.

A voice does not show color.

It stirs your soul... if you have one.

[jennydai170]

NL was not bad, though his looking and voice is too tender to be like Javert. He had tried his best to cooperate with AB.

But as for AB, errrrrrrrr....... his face expression was just toooo... stable...And when he got enchanted by his own voice in BMH...Sweet Jesus...

A tender Javert and a stone-face Jean...Perhaps they two should exchange the roles...

[John234pwns]

@jennydai170 I think Javert is more portrayed as bipolar. During the confrontation, his opening lines sound like he wants to rip Valjean's head off, and the suicide has very stressed, cracking tones in it, along with the tender stuff like above. Where as Quast's Javert was eloquent but also immovable till the end, with a bit of sneer to give character.

Also, stone-faced Valjean isn't too far off, if you've read the novel.

[MilMil182]

wow x so jelouse that you went to see it x



[jorcha1960]

Norm is definitely my favorite; what a voice! He and Aflie are my preferred combo for Les Mis.

[MaryAD7]

Each actor brings something different to the role. Personally, Terrance Mann (NY Orig. cast) is still a favorite of mine, although I DO love Quast.

This actor brings a bit more misguided sense of justice and a little less straight out villain to the role from what I've heard so far.

[TorrentUK]

This is not a bad rendition but unfortunately anybody following Philip Quast in this role has a big job on their hands. Philip Q was absolutely stunning as Javert

[kirstyasher2]

he acts out the part incredibly well but i didn't think his voice was all that good and it seemed like he was very strained towards the end :\

[lakerman34]

After watching the 10th Anniversary, EVERY SINGLE Les Mis showing has disappointed me.

Phillip Quast has made Javert my most favorite character in the musical, and I'm sorry, this guy just isn't close for me.

Valjean was pretty good in this rendition though, however.

[rikkulockhart15]

@lakerman34 Well, he's no Phillip Quast, but Norm Lewis had one of the better voices out of the 25th anniversary cast. He has a good resume (leads in Miss Saigon, Chicago, and Little Mermaid,) so he's not bad.

They couldn't get Philip Quast, Roger Allam, or Terrence Mann to play Javert:

-Quast was in Australia's production of Mary Poppins, playing Mr. Banks.

-Allam was under contract to Disney and HBO; he could only be in one number.

-Mann was in The Addams Family musical until April 2011.

[unopeneddoor]

@lakerman34

YOu HAVE to love Alfie Boe though.

[TheaterFan24601]

Wow. Norm is 2 die 4. He's sexy. And oh, what a voice. (sigh)

[gmdohiorep]

I don't care that he's black, he's a heck of a singer. I just don't feel his voice is appropriate for Javert. I like him better in this than I did in the Soliloquy, but I feel that Javert's voice should be more of a reedy tenor, as it add to his shrill character. The emotion conveyed and singing are spot on, but nobody will ever beat Phillip Quast as the quintessential Javert.

[angelofmusicamy]

This guy is fantastic and although I prefer good ol' Phil, he definately brings something different to this song. A really haunting version. But i'm team Philip :)

[WEEZERman1212]

i just dont even know who i like more.... quast or norm.

[Agathaleon060]

This is a great theatrical performance, his voice is very rich. I do prefer Quast, but this one is wonderful as well. The song is very moving.

[limsinger]

I LOVE this song... This guy is amazing!! He's so different to Phillip Quast... I love the resonance in his voice!! It's just so RICH!! :-)

Check out me singing this song on my page if you're interested. Let me know if you think I'd ever make a Javert!! :P haha

[kasia1milka15]

This is great- a wonderful voice he has...

But well to be honest, NOTHING can beat the 10th anniversary cast- just too perfect :)

[ChristophProbst]

Between Phillip Quast and Norm Lewis.....NORM LEWIS WINS!

[piratzrule]

@ChristophProbst ur nuts. no way man

[musicalchix]

What amazing seats! luckky duckkk

[uberathlete]

Great singer. Quast is bette of course but he can sang. Just needs a little umph.

[davorshan]

damn, the pipes on this brother are superb. Still like Phillip Quast better though. Especially like the crucifix he makes, nice touch! Indeed uo there with the best

[davorshan]

damn, the pipes on this brother are superb. Still like Phillip Quast better though

[caravision]

Norm gives me goosebumps EVERY time I hear him! No matter what role he plays! He is absolutely WONDERFUL!

[TheHeretor]

hey this is really  a good rendition, philip quast and he is different though they share the same excellence, i think they both done an amazing jobs in their own perspective way of acting

[jadem1122]

yes FINALLY sum diversity in le miz

[XxArceliaxX]

They totally should have brought Philip Quast back for the encore of One Day More (even if he wasn't part of the original Broadway cast) - just to remind us how amazing he is...

[onwithdashow]

Perfect, interesting casting. Norm was incredible. Best actor and singer in the show, hands down.

[il0vegermany]

since when has javert been black??

[jadem1122]

@il0vegermany Are only white people allowed on broadway nowadays???

[jadem1122]

@il0vegermany I think Norm is amazing as Javert his color shouldnt matter

[an4491]

@jadem1122 I agree. I think what is important to about Javert is not to be found in his looks.

[luke4322]

since when has john fashanu played javert ?

[Iesepurcell]

in my opinion my top 3 Javerts are:

1. Phillip Quast(classic)

2. Brian Stokes Mitchell(what havent seen it? youtube it NOW!)

3. Norm Lewis(more unique than the rest, more verbal, that's pretty cool)

[jmarshall60]

@Iesepurcell So true. I absolutely love BSM in this role.

[TashF]

Phillip Quat and Norm Lewis are the two best Javert's ever in my opinion.

[philemon101]

i love it.........but i love Philip Quast's version a huge different as i love norm lewis's

[Jetboy012]

I honestly would have preferred if Earl Carpenter had played the role in the O2 conert

[rexebuza]

I think it is incredible, the way he sings. I never thought i'd hear this song sung as good as quast does, but this actually does come close to it

[Hobgoblin93ZZZ]

Why does it seem silly when he makes that sign of the cross in the musical interlude, whereas Phillip Quast manages to just stand there and bring an amazing face full of emotion by keeping his face expressionless. The Javert here seems pales into insignificance with quast's 10th, allthough I have heard this actor in another role, which suited him much more.

[HanParaSolo]

HAHAHAHAHAH, LOOOOL,

He's soooooooooo unnatural! Just like plastic :D In fact, he simply makes me laugh. Not because he is black, because he's pathetic as Javert.

I don't know his performance of other characters, maybe they are great, but this Javert...

Oh, come on, Philip Quast is jut another sort of actor. At least, he's much better as Javert.

[AeroTheGreen]

Went to see the show in queens theatre a while ago with no expectations at all (never heard any of the songs from the soundtrack, just had a friend of mine telling me how awesome the musical was and that I should go see it). All I can say is that Norm swept me off my feet when he sang this song, he really stood out from the rest of the cast, though they were good aswell.. Along with One day more this was the most memorable song.. Thank you Norm for a unforgettable evening!

[RosesNightengales]

is it me? or did something fall in front of Norm doting "Lord Let Me Find Him"?

[Iknowmusic222]

I like him, but my heart belongs to Philip Quast, his version always makes me cry because it`s so beautiful.

[xLoveStoryxD]

When I saw this at Queen's, this guy got the most applause. But then again, Mr. Boe wasn't there.

[BigAsianFace]

He has an EPIC voice. Fave part 2:18-2:59

[Chrismusic123]

His last few notes give me major goosebumps every time!

[RosesNightengales]

I was so excited to see Norm when I saw this in the cinema. I was very happy with his performance. Considering I had never seen him perform before.

[BigAsianFace]

My dad was friends with Norm in high school! Band and choir buddies. So cool to see how far he's come.

[InspectorKaramazov]

This guy is really good. (though I am a Quast fangirl)

[stephodile1]

I've actually seen this guy as Javert twice - he is incredible. He makes you impatient for the next time Javert's on stage, and embodies everything that's powerful about the character. Plus I met him at the Stage Door and he's a sweetheart. Gives Quast a run for his money I say!

[ChristineTheHippie]

@stephodile1 Totally agree, seriously, people quit comparing everything to the TAC< that was great and had "the dream cast". Lewis is amazing, and I think he ties with Quast in my book.

[Downzy2019]

Norm i think has a better voice than quast and i think he makes him seem like a more powerful charater also.

[fatheranthony4pope]

I love Quast, but this guy is great!

[standup22]

Stunning.

[neilrobinson1976]

Sorry but I just don't rate this guy. I suppose it doesn't help that he looks like a young Bill Cosby.

[neilrobinson1976]

Sorry but I just don't rate this guy.

[ChiLine]

This guy IS great....great technique...sensational...

STILL

I think it is not the right tone for Javert...just...too...too...BA­SS....

Philip Quast's Javert has GREAT technique and, in my opinion, the RIGHT TONE~!

[DarthxErik]

This guy is incredible!!! :D And guys, I agree: Philip Quast IS Javert. But the look in this guys' eyes throughout the show (watch it in HD, the full thing!) proved to me that this guy was in character, and thus WAS Javert in his own right. I will always prefer Philip to any other Javert, but that doesn't mean no one else should ever play the role, ever. This guy was AMAZING!

[Musicalgirl1905]

This is Javert's best song of the show and Norm Lewis sings it beautifully!!! You shouldn't be comparing this guy to that guy everyone has their own voice and own way to act in this time it's Norm Lewis' turn to be Javert not Philip Quast. Be fair!

[ManBig4]

I just didn't like this. He's good of corse, but i feel no one can compare to Philip Quast.

[RosesNightengales]

Can you upload the Confrontation?

[OperaGirlK]

Norm Lewis is brilliant. His Javert is not less than Phlip Quast's just different. Quast's is very vengeful and condescending. Lewis' is more like someone who is not a bad guy at all..just someone who is convinced his way is the best.

[RosesNightengales]

Yay! I can't wait to see him 8D

[panthernegro]

Tell me rlebovits were they wrong to put an asian woman in the role of fantine in the concert and eponine a few years ago? Why aren't you saying something about that? That doesn't seem to accurate, but what is accurate and undeniable is his amazing voice and stage presence so black white, asian, latino, whatever he brings this amazing character to life and his version of 'Stars' is right up there with the best of them

[Robi6942]

@panthernegro

"what is accurate and undeniable is his amazing voice and stage presence" ???? what vid are you watching??? this guy suck drippy piles - Phillip Quast outshines this chap in the way the sun outshines a torch!!

[Phan930]

GORGEOUS voice!! A wonderful performance! And, I must say, he's not hard on the eyes!

[rlebovits]

Philip Quast is, quite simply, the BEST Javert. The emotion he puts in, the "sneer" he gives his very essence is what the Javert character embodies. Norm Lewis, from all of the videos I've seen from this concert did not measure up in the slightest. In addition (and I'm SURE there will be people who hate what I'm about to say), putting a black man in this role was stupid. I would put it akin to casting Denzel Washington for the role of Robert E. Lee. Yes, he'd do a great job, but is it accurate?

[alexmz123]

@rlebovits I think Norm Lewis' performance as Javert was excellent and should stand alone. I love Philip Quast but to diss Norm's performance is totally wrong. All performers should be applauded for their performances. Norm was excellent. Now, if you started to diss Jonas' performance as Marius, then I will join you. LOL! He was awful!

[jesusthroughmary]

@rlebovits Except Robert E. Lee was a real person and Javert is fictional, and I don't recall Javert's race ever being mentioned.

[Oberon90]

Norm Lewis can sing everything.There is no broadway singer who´s more versatile than this man.He is the VERDI BARITONE who can sing Jazz aswell as Musical and Swing.And he could also sing "Bring him home" or"Who am I".Philip, Norm, James Barbour and Anthony Warlow are the best baritones in musical!

[alexmz123]

kuangchien, i just wanted to thank you for taking the time to post such great performances. I will definitely acquire the CD AND the DVD just based on what i have seen on youtube.

[ilreput1]

A great performance! Second only to Philip Quast. It's a pity the Australian cast with Philip Quast, Anthony Warlow, Debbi Byrne and Normie Rowe was never recorded, as it was one of the world's best casts. A personal conflict between Normie Rowe and Cameron Mackintosh saw that only 3 of the cast were used for the Symphonic cast and an Australian cast recording was never issued.

[silfuryn]

ugh, comes nowhere NEAR Phillip Quast... not to mention Quast held the last note for a whopping 13 seconds and this guy clocked in about 10...

[newmoon9527]

@silfuryn I agree 100%

Phillip Quast is also soooo much better in Javert's suicide.

[MrMusicman25]

@newmoon9527 i professionally disagree, though he was good FOR HIS TIME. I think Norm here brings more of a sinister side to Javert, and plays it a bit darker. Not knocking your comment though, lol

[gideaparkhammer]

I hate comparing one artist to another, but no matter how great Norm is, (and I loved him when I saw him at the Queen's), I doubt I will live to see anyone better Philip Quast

[fatconnie]

he is amazing

but philip quast IS javert, both acting and singing

just classic !!

[etobsify]

him and quast both have powerful voice. in my opinion though, quast has the more b@d-a$s aura as javert

[limegreenbella]

Okay, okay, I lied. Watched the whole thing through, and Norm totally changed my opinion. He's officially one of my favorites now, I think. ;D

[limegreenbella]

Norm isn't my absolute favorite, but he isn't bad either. I will admit that I like him. (:

On a side note: 1:09 - my jaw officially dropped. I really love those stars. :D

[jbbrasilsuperfan]

This guy doesnt even come to Philip Quasts feet. The TAC was much better tha this, as a whole cast matter

[BorisGodunov]

I'll never forgive them for butchering the orchestrations for this song.

[TLKthing3]

@BorisGodunov I like the new orchestrations... BUT NOT THIS SONG! this song really was perfect the way it was...

[BorisGodunov]

@TLKthing3 I'm not fond of the new orchestrations for Javert's Suicide, either. There are some good ideas, but it seems to have lost a good deal of its dramatic urgency by taking out the strings as originally written.

[tuhsiaofu]

Philp Quast is classic

[ManBig4]

Idk, he is amazing but my vote will always stay with Philip Quast. But this man has an incredible voice.

[ionaRAWR]

I'm so glad I was apart of this (: Norm was incredible xx

[dianaben]

Thank you, I so enjoyed this at the time x