Interviews

Why Alfie Boe Is Not Right for Hamilton But Perfect as Broadway's Next Jean Valjean

The ”Les Misérables” veteran looks back on an emotional 25th-anniversary concert and forward to some raucous New York ”Miz”fits.

On September 1, world-renowned tenor Alfie Boe takes over for Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean in the Broadway cast of Les Misérables. But not too long ago, it was Karimloo picking up the torch from Boe on London's West End. According to the seasoned Les Mis alum, who also led the cast of the musical's 25th Anniversary Concert in 2010, scheduling conflicts prevented him from kicking off the latest Broadway revival. Lucky for Karimloo, it was a twist of fate that wound up earning him a Tony nomination for his starring performance. But now that there's an opening for 24601, Boe is happy to step into the shoes his fellow Valjean broke in on Broadway, though with the promise that there's a new "le maire" in town.

Alfie Boe takes over as Jean Valjean in the Broadway cast of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre.
Alfie Boe takes over as Jean Valjean in the Broadway cast of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre.
(© Matt Kent)

When did you get the call about joining the Broadway cast of Les Mis?
Well, myself and Cameron [Mackintosh]'s office — we've been talking a lot over the years about me coming into the show, but it wasn't until probably three months ago that I went in and met with Cameron and he offered me the job to do it on Broadway. I would have liked to have been a part of it from the beginning but unfortunately my schedule didn't fit with the opening and the run, so I had to pass. But this time I get a chance to take it on again.

You performed the role of Jean Valjean for the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert, which you've described as a very significant moment in your career. What was that experience like?
I actually remember the moment that I received the phone call. I was in my backyard doing some planting, and basically the minute the conversation had finished I stood in the backyard and I just visualized what it would entail. I visualized standing onstage in front of twenty-eight-thousand people in the O2 Arena in London singing "Bring Him Home," and I thought, "That's the moment. That's the moment in the show for myself that has to be perfect." That was what was in my head for months and months leading up to the event. When it came time to sing "Bring Him Home" in front of twenty-eight-thousand people onstage at the O2 Arena, it wasn't what I expected. I was in a completely different realm. I felt connected with the character, connected with the moment, connected with the emotion of the song, and it flew by. By the time I got to the end of the song, I couldn't hear the [audience] reaction. It was like I was in a bubble. I just stood there in a different place. I was Jean Valjean — I meant everything that I was saying in that song. And then it was almost as if somebody turned up the volume switch in the room and the applause got louder and louder and I realized what I'd done. I was thrilled with the response. [The ovation] went on for nearly two minutes. It was wonderful.

Do you and Ramin Karimloo perform the role differently?
Ramin — he's a good-looking guy. Not as good-looking as me obviously. [laughs] I think I'm a little more animalistic when it comes to being the convict. As the convict Valjean I'm a little more aggressive. I wouldn't think twice about pulling somebody's head off. When you release something that's been caged up [nineteen years], they're fiery. They're ready to take on the world and anything that goes against what they believe. As the mayor, I'm a little more…I take this all very seriously. Everything he's committing himself to do is serious. His commitment to Fantine is a serious moment. His commitment to little Cosette to take her away from the Thénardiers and protect her is a serious moment. You don't fool about when it comes to children's lives. So if he's there to protect that child, I take that very, very seriously. The bargain scene for me is not a comic scene. Even though it's with the Thénardiers, it's not funny as far as Valjean goes. I find the frustration in their immaturity rather than joining in with the foolishness. [Ramin and I] are very different as performers and very different as Valjeans. When I take over for Ramin here on Broadway it will be a totally different show.

This is your first return to Broadway since your debut in La Bohème in 2002. Are you excited to be back?
I'm absolutely thrilled. I've been told so much by the rest of the cast about the reactions from the audience on the show and on the songs and how different they are from U.K. audiences. I actually went into the theater last night to watch a bit of the show, and I stood in the auditorium and I was very surprised on the response from the crowd. They go crazy.

What are the reactions in the U.K. typically like?
Over here, they whistle and cheer and stomp their feet and really express their emotions. In England they just say, "Jolly good, well done," and that's about it. [laughs] I don't mean to put my countrymen down but there is almost a protocol as to how you should react in a theater, which I think is fine but it's nice to let yourself go as an audience member sometimes. I can't wait to perform for the Broadway audience. I want to do my best every night, and I want to meet as many of the Les Misérables fans as possible, so if any of them want to come to the stage door after the show, I'd be delighted to say hello!

With La Bohème and Les Mis under your belt, are there any nonclassical musicals you'd like to try your hand at?
When I came over here, I heard all this hype about Hamilton [and] I was thinking, "My goodness, that sounds really dramatic! I'd love to have a go at Hamilton." And then I realized it was hip-hop and I thought, "Nope. I don't think I could do that." [laughs]

Boe taking his bow at London's O2 Arena for  his performance as Jean Valjean at the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert.
Boe taking his bow at London's O2 Arena for his performance as Jean Valjean at the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert.
(© Dan Wooller)

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Les Misérables

Closed: September 4, 2016