Awards Entries and Campaign

[jo]

Re Colm --

* He is my favorite stage Valjean - maybe years of listening to the Original London Cast Recording and reading and re-reading the book "Les Miserables: History in the Making" by Edward Behr endeared him to me for his historic creation of the role of Valjean of the Les Miserables we all know

There were many passages from the book which affirm why his taking on the role of Valjean created the special chemistry of the composers, the creatives (Nunn and Caird), and the original cast. I know his voice has a rock/ folk sound but when you think of it -- how can a convict sound like a grand operatic tenor? True, he does have a tenor voice ( a golden tenor, as the composers and creatives call it), but the rough edge brought on by the rock/folk sound makes it sound more like the character he portrays. We know that the composers intended the character to have a rough edge, hence the role was originally composed as a baritone, but when they all heard Colm audition ( he sang ANTHEM - sigh!) and then sing Bring Him Home for the first time, they knew he was bringing home the show! ( and proceeded to transpose up all the previously baritonal notes). Btw, the person who introduced him to Trevor Nunn and the composers was none other than Tim Rice ( ALWebber's erstwhile lyricist, who eventually successfully teamed up with Elton John in Lion King, etc) - Tim was impressed with his reputation and perhaps hearing him sing Anthem ( Tim wrote the lyrics for this ABBA melody for the musical Chess), that did it for him.

*Have you ever heard the songs from Colm's CD STAGE HEROES?

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138H9JS/ref=dm_sp_alb

Who will not fall in love with him singing all those beautiful musical theatre songs? He does have a certain appeal as a stage troubadour!

Btw, he also successfully played the role of the Phantom, with the original Cosette, Rebecca Caine, in the original staging in Toronto.

But to each his own taste


Re film acting - that is another story -- and I had to post my remarks to the OP's rather ludicrous claim of an Oscar win for Colm as a film Valjean! I was really laughing at his facial expression in some moments in the movie -- I was hoping to see some solemnity in his manner, but he seemed too eager to please the convict and give him the candlesticks ;D

Jo

[birchie]

Feb 2, 2013 11:18:28 GMT -5 jo said:

Re Colm --

<snip>

*Have you ever heard the songs from Colm's CD STAGE HEROES?

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138H9JS/ref=dm_sp_alb

Who will not fall in love with him singing all those beautiful musical theatre songs?

Btw, he also successfully played the role of the Phantom, with the original Cosette, Rebecca Caine, in the original staging in Toronto.

But to each his own taste


Re film acting - that is another story -- and I had to post my remarks to the OP's rather ludicrous claim of an Oscar win for Colm as a film Valjean! I was really laughing at his facial expression in some moments in the movie -- I was hoping to see some solemnity in his manner, but he seemed too eager to please the convict and give him the candlesticks ;D

Jo

"But to each his own taste " You are certainly right about that. I know he's your favorite and I know he did Phantom & JCSS and I have the Behr book so I know his history. I appreciate the Amazon link. I did listen to almost all of the song samples because most of them would be on my all time favorite songs list. Sadly, I own and I've heard, many better performances of those songs. He's just not my taste. I have the Les Mis 10th Ann. Concert on video but it's not for him it's for the show itself. I bought the 25th DVD but don't really want the 10th DVD. I wish I could cut and paste Michael Ball into the 25th LOL!

I think part of the problem for me with Colm is having seen him sing, I hate the way he contorts his face so even when I'm just listening, I think part of my brain still envisions that. Also his pronunciation of certain words I find grating. So I'm glad he's your favorite. My overall musical theater guys are Howard Keel, John Raitt, John Barrowman & of course Hugh! For Les Mis performances, of the ones I've heard, it's Hugh, John Owen-Jones, Alfie Boe and I like Gary Morris too.

Oddly enough, I actually did like how he played the Bishop. I really hated the way the Bishop was portrayed in the '98 Liam Neeson version so I was very happy that he was portrayed as the sweet, kindly old gent I envision from the book. I don't think Colm would win any acting awards (film) but for a small character part I thought he was fine. I know he was in 3 episodes of The Tudors but I never watched it so I don't know how he was.

I just noticed the time, you may be sleeping by now! Always nice exploring these things with you. Sleep tight!
Sue

[jo]

Hey, I saw Gary Morris as Valjean on Broadway - and I have listened to him a lot, because I was practically listening to the CSR almost everyday when Les Miserables was filming. I have also seen John Barrowman live in London - twice for Sunset Boulevard ( once with Elaine Paige and another time with Betty Buckley) as well as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. I must say I have not much fondness for his voice ( I have his Reflections on Broadway CD). Howard Keel - who does not like him -- I had seen him in most of his movies! Did you know he went to see Oklahoma! when Hugh was doing it in London -- except he had a big crush on Josefina Gabrielle - LOL! I absolutely loved him in Seven Brides and Seven Brothers. I love all the Rodgers and Hammerstein - but while I like Gordon MacRae's voice - I was never impressed with his acting. But Yul Brynner, who doesn't really sing much, was one of my favorites in those movies! Of course, at that time, I did not know my other favorite John Kerr ( I had seen him on Broadway, too) was dubbed in South Pacific

As to my favorite Les Miserables singer ...and my true favorite singer -- that is Michael Ball! I discovered him in the Original London Cast recording after seeing the Broadway show in 1988 and my fondness for Les Miserables was partly because of my having discovered his golden voice!

I have been lucky to have followed his career since then and have been able to see him in most of his musical theatre performances ( except for the last one Sweeney Todd and the first two ones - Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera ( he was the second Raoul)..that means Aspects of Love in London and on Broadway, Passion by Sondheim, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hairspray, The Woman in White, Patience... and I do have more than a dozen CDs and DVDs. Too bad no recording was made when he sang the role of Valjean at the state-dinner concert at Windsor Castle. And I have also been to see him in concerts - a few! He does have such a golden voice and has the most entertaining manner onstage ( shades of someone we know). I have had the privilege of meeting him a few times privately in his dressing room ( the first one was on Broadway's The Broadhurst- yes, the same theatre where Back on Broadway was held...and others in England) - - but those were lucky instances. He has the nicest manner at the stagedoor, too - and he is as swamped as Hugh in London. His most recent NYC appearance was in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Patience and also in the ill-fated The Woman in White. I can't believe I have been following his career for the last 25 years!! Well, he originated the role of Marius more than 27 years ago! Cameron and Trevor confirmed the news they have heard about his voice when they first saw him in Pirates of Penzance before he was asked to join the first cast of Les Miserables!

I've also been lucky to have seen Anthony Warlow ( Enjolras in the CSR but one of Australia's foremost musical theatre stars) in Pirates of Penzance...although he is now in Annie on Broadway after many years of simply staying in Australia. Such a glorious voice!

One of my most impressive Broadway finds was Richard Kiley, the original Man of La Mancha! He does not have the perfect musical theatre voice ( just like Hugh and Colm) -- but I saw him acting it out a very long time ago -- and that was the very first time that I cried in a musical theater performance!

And I shouldn't have forgotten mentioning Robert Goulet - a long time ago, I saw him in Happy Time! Such a brilliant voice!

Of the later Broadway voices -- I don't know, I have actually seen Aaron Tveit in Catch Me If You Can -- but he continues not to impress me too much. I think he could do with more charisma! Norbert Leo Butz is a two-time Tony winner ( and was Jigger in Carousel) but I find his characterizations too much of a NLB characterization - as if I always see the same actor! Raul Esparza - he is a Broadway favorite, but not mine, I'm afraid. I did see Alfie in Kismet a few times ( because Michael Ball was Hajj) -- but sorry, his voice is beautiful but his acting was too wooden!

I guess I am too keen on Michael Ball and Hugh Jackman ;D

Jo

[joanhb]

Since Hugh and Michael are also my own favorites musical performers, I find your taste impeccable.

JoanHB

[birchie]

No arguments here...except John Barrowman, I love him! I forgot about John Kerr. I so loved him in South Pacific. I remember learning years ago that his voice was dubbed, broke my heart! I was disappointed with Harry Connick Jr when he played the role though. As for Robert Goulet...I always loved watching him when he was on TV. Years ago when they had all those great variety shows he was always on. My oldest son always remembers that his first live musical was South Pacific starring Robert Goulet. I think it was in Hartford so some kind of tour or something but I love him too. His Impossible Dream is to die for! Howard Keel, dear Howard was my one true love before Hugh for musical guys and I have everything that's available on DVD and have downloaded most of his music. I agree about Alfie, he's no actor, so I was delighted that he never got serious consideration for the movie, but he's a great singer.

I haven't been as fortunate as you to be able to see everyone live but for my favorites I watch everything I can find on YouTube and I have a pretty large DVD collection. Had a lot of videos but I've been gradually converting most of them to DVD. Wish YouTube had been around when I was younger but I'm grateful for it now. I use it a lot. I agree about how talented and engaging Michael Ball is. Every clip of every performance that I've seen has been wonderful.

I think I'll watch one of my Howard Keel DVDs tonight now that I've been thinking about him. On a humorous note...my favorite non musical actor-after Paul Newman-before Hugh-was Harrison Ford. So my son tells everyone that I dumped poor Harry for Hugh. Now Hugh fills the bill for both categories, musical & non musical alike, there is nobody that comes close to him for me. :o

Now, in order to maintain the actual topic of this thread... 8-)
I hope he gets the recognition (win) that he deserves come Oscar and BAFTA nights. I think the Directors Guild winner is decided today but I haven't heard anything yet. Fingers crossed for Tom for a win today since he was snubbed elsewhere!
Sue

[jo]

Lol - I like(d) Harrison Ford, too -- before he became too old for some of his movies. My favorites were his Jack Ryan movies, some dramas ( one is where his wife turned out to be the murderer...and the other was when he became physically invalid and had to recover his mental faculties ...also where he was looking for his wife who banished in Paris-- sorry, can't remember the names anymore...also Air Force One). I did see him in some of the Indiana Jones and even in Star Wars -- but those were not my favorites. I like him in dramas/action with drama. Hugh has always wanted to be Indiana Jones ( his type of movies) - LOL!

Back to musical theatre -- interesting that Hugh did not major in musical theatre but he did high school musicals in school ( My Fair Lady, Paint the Wagon...and I am not sure but Oklahoma!, too). I think he is a happy accident as far as musicals are concerned. But I did love him in A Steady Rain ( probably ranks as one of my top two for HJ stage appearances) -- I love his dramatic acting! I think The Fountain and Les Miserables will always have special places in the movie soundtrack of my mind!

Same with Michael - he did a straight drama course, but he has always been asked to do musicals. I think I have every recorded song that he has ever done, including early clips from TV appearances. But one of my favorites in musical theatre was his role of Giorgio in Sondheim's Passion! A lot of acting...and probably Sondheim's most melodic score ( Sondheim is not always fond of traditional melodies).

Which brings me to one of my all-time Favorites -- ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER. I have seen ALL of his shows except Love Never Dies! The saddest musical I've ever seen was called A Beautiful Game ( now called the Boys in the Photograph), from him. If I had teared up for Les Miserables -- this one was really heart-rending. My favorites of his are Aspects of Love ( the most beautiful musical score!) and Sunset Boulevard ( I loved both the film noir storyline and the musical score). The last one I had seen was The Woman in White. I think I loved the period when he and Michael were always teaming up!

I do have an enormous collection of musical theater stuff -- including music sheets ( when I don't even sing or read music). I usually give them to nieces who can. Hey, my sister just told me that her half-American granddaughter who will turn 5 in May has surprised her with bits and pieces from On My Own ;D...It turns out her musically-inclined Mom ( she plays the piano very well and can also sing) has been teaching her daughter the song,who in turn surprised her grandparents with it. LOL! I have a feeling this is my niece's favorite song from Les Miserables


Jo

[jo]

Men with beards - at the DGA event! Ben Affleck won the DGA Award!

[jo]

With Tom Hooper, nominee for DGA award, Anne Hathaway, and Jim Gianopulos ( Fox Film's CEO)!

In my fantasy world, Jim G is convincing the trio to do the remake of Guys and Dolls ;D

Jo

[jo]

With Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow at the DGA Event. Hope this was a good chance for Hugh to touch base with the business's best directors!

Jo

[birchie]

Ahhh Harry...not only can I name that tune those movies, I own all of them ;D When I watch Patriot Games & Clear & Present Danger (Jack Ryan) I get a double dose of feelings because he reminds me so much of my father in those. My father looks very much like him, and he was an Air Force Intelligence officer and actually worked at Langley later in his career. He wasn't a good father but he was good at his job so it's like watching a better version of him...what might have been perhaps

Funny about Hugh & Michael both starting in straight drama courses. We are blessed that the musical theater gods discovered them!
We are doubly lucky that Hugh has done such great dramatic works too because those, on film anyway, get to live forever.

My 4 yr old granddaughter was over a couple weeks ago and started pretend playing my keyboard. She wasn't banging like kids do when they're fooling around but she was playing very carefully and with lovely hand positioning! None of the grandchildren have shown much inclination in music so I immediately grabbed my DIL, who was as surprised as I was that Ariana seemed so engrossed and I suggested piano lessons might be good...just a hint mind you I did order the Les Miserables music book. Pleasantly surprised that it came out so fast!! It should be here tomorrow. >
Sue

[birchie]

Feb 3, 2013 5:28:00 GMT -5 jo said:

Men with beards - at the DGA event! Ben Affleck won the DGA Award!

They could play brothers! I hope Hugh got in some good schmoozing at the DGA awards...something good should come of it since Tom didn't win. I continue to be astonished at Argo winning everything!!! I'm starting to think that Argo will be the darling of the Oscars instead of Lincoln (although he didn't get nominated for Director) For the record, I think the best director Oscar noms are ridiculous! I hope Argo's resurgent popularity makes Hugh the darling of the Best Actor category since Argo doesn't have a horse in that race. Fingers crossed.
Sue

[jo]

I hope Argo's resurgent popularity makes Hugh the darling of the Best Actor category since Argo doesn't have a horse in that race. Fingers crossed

I have also been hoping that the "unravelling" of LINCOLN'S frontrunner status (due to the positive backlash to the ARGO directorial snub) is happening in the Best Actor category as well

Jo

[jo]

Interview at the DGA Awards --

tinyurl.com/ab4oajt

Interesting about his comment on who ( or which group of people) he would like to stand next to during the Class Photo for the Oscar nominees on Feb 4

I wonder if he already knows what and the details of the number he is going to be involved in at the Oscars on Feb 24?


Jo

[birchie]

BAFTA Awards are Sunday night at 8 on BBC America. The movie continues to stay at #1, 4th week I think, in the UK...any thoughts on the possibilities for Hugh and the movie winning here??? I was thinking that it may have a better chance at the BAFTAs than the Oscars but I haven't really read too much about UK opinions re: the other films and actors.
Sue

[Jamie]

Another film site with a poll of best films of 2012. Need to get Les Mis into the top 5 of the 50 films listed www.ropeofsilicon.com/final-round-nominate-five-films-for-best-picture-of-2012/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=final-round-nominate-five-films-for-best-picture-of-2012

[Jamie]

Feb 4, 2013 10:51:31 GMT -5 birchie said:

BAFTA Awards are Sunday night at 8 on BBC America. The movie continues to stay at #1, 4th week I think, in the UK...any thoughts on the possibilities for Hugh and the movie winning here??? I was thinking that it may have a better chance at the BAFTAs than the Oscars but I haven't really read too much about UK opinions re: the other films and actors.
Sue

Argo is playing well in the UK and may take best picture, but Les Mis is also up for "Best British Picture" so two chances for the award there. It's a Hugh and Daniel show again. Both are loved in UK. This is a rough year for contenders.

[jo]

At the Oscars Nominees Luncheon --

[jo]

[Jamie]

Feb 4, 2013 18:28:30 GMT -5 jo said:

At the Oscars Nominees Luncheon --

Hugh is standing right next to Oscar in the "class photo". Hope that is a good omen.

Attachments:

[jo]

Hugh and Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars Luncheon --





Proud to be X-Men!!

Will they meet in DAYS OF FUTURE PAST? Maybe so - if Wolverine is one of the time travellers

Jo

[jo]

Interesting tweets --


Charley Careyþ@charleycarey
@lauinla would be weird to see Daniel Day Lewis lose. That just doesn't happen.


1hLaura Prudomþ@LauinLA
@charleycarey I don't think it will happen - also probably helped that DDL wasn't there to gauge applause against.


1hLaura Prudomþ@LauinLA
Blinded by the star power at the Oscar nominees luncheon. If we're basing results on applause, Hugh Jackman & Jessica Chastain are a lock.



Hmm... would the applause translate into votes from the honorees?

Tweeter ( Laura P) is an associate editor for HuffPost.

[birchie]

Feb 4, 2013 18:28:30 GMT -5 jo said:

At the Oscars Nominees Luncheon --

<snip>

Hugh is standing right next to Oscar in the "class photo". Hope that is a good omen.

That's funny I clicked on the picture & examined it before I read what was written and that was my exact thought when I saw Hugh standing next to Oscar! We have a group mind! LOL!
Sue

[carouselkathy]

Hey guys. This isn't Kathy. It's BARB/SONGIRL and I've shanghied her comp cause I've got some thoughts about this Best Actor race that I wanted to share. I'll try to get to the point but for those of you who know me, well...you know me.

I've been an Oscar buff for as long as I can remember (an interest fostered at my father's knee) and over the years I've learned that front runner status, even those who are considered a slam-dunk 'lock' are not guaranteed a trip to that podium. The front runner is merely the horse 'expected' to win who on occasion is overtaken by the time the finish line is reached **waves at War Admiral and Seabiscuit** For me, the important factor that none of the 'buzz' is acknowledging is the third Oscar and just how difficult it is statistically to win one. It's so difficult that only FIVE actors in 84 years have been able to accomplish it. In fact, it's not that easy to win even two leading Oscars in that there are only 9 actors and 13 actresses who have been able to do that. Here are the 5 three time winners...

Walter Brennan (3 supporting), Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson (2 leads, 1 supporting) and Katharine Hepburn (in a class by herself with 4 leads). That's it folks. Only ONE performer in history with 3 or more leading Oscars. And how did they win them? I don't really count Brennan because his were all supporting and handed out in the early years of the supporting catagory (which they didn't have until 1936, nearly a decade after the Academy formed). I'm talking about 'leading' actors here. It took the singular Hepburn nearly 50 years to earn her 12 nominations/4 wins. Bergman about 40 years to earn her 7-8 nominations/3 wins. Streep 33 years to get 17 nominations/3 wins and Nicholson also 33 years to land his 12 nominations/3 wins. It took them three to five decades and into their 60's and 70's to be accorded this very rare honour. For Daniel to win this, these are the statistics he has to beat...at 55, he'd be the youngest to get there, in only 23 years, the fastest to get there and here's the biggest hurdle in my opinion, he'll have to do it with only 5 nominations. Three Best Actor Oscars in just 5 nominations? Yes, it's possible and history could be made here and Daniel's is a talent that is surely worthy of it, but the percentages are simply not with him. Now it could be argued that no one pays much attention to that sort of thing. Well I would argue that the Academy must or else we'd have more 3 and 4 and maybe even 5 time winners. And the reason why I believe they rarely hand that third Oscar out is because they want that loftly peak to remain very exclusive, not commonplace. In their decades long iconic careers, the Academy couldn't have ecked out just one more win for the mulitple nominated legends, Bette Davis, Marlon Brando and Spencer Tracy, making them 3 time winners as well? They could have, but they didn't. It took the Academy nearly 30 years to honor Meryl Streep who is regarded as the greatest living female actor in the world with her third Oscar (which Harvey Weinstein got for her by violating Academy rules by campaigning thru private e-mails with the reminder to voters...'it's been nearly 3 decades since she won. It's time'). Which brings us to Hughie...

Do you know how many performers have won the lead Oscar with just their first nomination? 32 actors and 38 actresses. That's 70. SEVENTY! Compared to just FIVE three time winners and no 3 time Best Actor winner...ever. Also, only one actor has been accorded the Oscar for portraying an iconic American political/military figure and that was George C. Scott for Patton whereas 10 actors and actresses have won the lead Oscar for musical performances. Much more goes into this than just who gave the best performance because deciding who is the best is subjective and actors are loath to do it to one another. Timing, sentiment, politics, who's due (Daniel won just five years ago. Is he due?) and personal feelings go into making these selections. Truth is, we have two magnificent performances here that will be remembered for generations as these are the two definitive portraits of giants: the political icon, Abraham Lincoln and the literary icon, Jean Valjean and both performances are worthy of the Oscar. I'm not saying that Hugh is going to win. What I'm saying is that despite front runner buzz and pre-Oscar awards, in terms of the Academy's history, the odds are actually in his favor.

From the day the nominations were announced, I said this was a two man race and it still is and it will remain so until Meryl Streep opens that envelope. This of course is just my opinion. Except the statistics. Those are fact. Records are made to be broken and odds are there to defeat and with this being the strangest Oscar race in memory, no one can predict a damn thing. But win, lose or draw, our boy got invited to the big party and if he doesn't get it this time, odds are they're gonna remember him next time because without Daniel in the mix, this is a one horse race and Hugh Jackman wins the Oscar.

P.S.
Keep your eye on Best Supporting Actor. They give this award out earlier in the evening and if 2 time winner Robert DiNiro wins (and talk about an actor who's due. Arguably the greatest actor of his generation and he hasn't won in 32 years. Because of sentiment, his odds of winning are better than Daniel's), but if he takes it this hurts Daniel's chances even more. Why? Because with it taking the Academy 84 years to annoint just five actors with that third win, what do you suppose the odds are that they're gonna annoint two 3 time winners in just one night? It's possible. Anything's possible. But if past is prologue, not likely.

I now return this account to it's rightful owner. Thanks Kathy.

[mamaleh]

Hey, Barb--good to "see" you again! Some very well-reasoned, astute comments there. "From your lips (er, keyboard) to...." to paraphrase the saying. May it be so!

Ellen

[carouselkathy]

Hi Ellen,

I'm sitting here playing with the edit button (oooh...I love the edit button).

I hesitated saying anything because the last thing I want to do is set anyone's hopes too high and then see them dashed. The one statistic that Daniel does have in his favor is that he is the front runner and they do tend to win. Not always. In fact I could name you a ton of front runners who lost, but by and large, they do win. No, the thing that's got me thinking this is not a done deal (and I've thought this since before the nominations were even announced), is that elusive third Oscar. If Daniel can do it, he's gonna have to beat more than one odd and make some serious history here making him the ONLY three time Best Actor winner...EVER! And if Hughie weren't in the race, I'd say this was a no-brainer. But he is. And his performance is just a worthy as Daniel's. Another thing...with Argo looking more and more like the Best Picture winner, Daniel just might not have a Lincoln surge to carry him up to that podium. When it comes to the Oscars, I don't put all of my eggs into the baskets of the buzz from critics, the public and even the pre-Oscars awards because they don't predict with a 100% certainty. Come Academy Award night (any Academy Award night) all bets are off. Especially in this most wacky of years where nothing can be predicted (and my guess is, they're gonna spread it around). But here's the thing...Hugh is going into this in the absolute best possible postition because he's not expected to win (cos no one's thinking about the 3rd Oscar thingy) and he knows it so the pressure is off. Daniel's the one with the pressure because it's his to lose and it's quite the accolade to Hugh that he really is the only serious challenger. So if he does win it, it's not gonna come completely out of left field. But even if he loses, in a way, he's still wins. And too, now that he's in the Oscar club, his future performances will be looked at thru a different prisim. Meaning, if The Fountain was to be released this year, that performance would be looked at and received differently than it was back in 2006. Perception is everything. Actually, truth is everything. But perception knocks truth on it's azz every time.

Okay. I gotta quit typing. My eyes are getting tired (you're getting old...oh shut up). Good to chat with you again Ellen. Hope that all is well. We thought and worried about you during Sandy. To all of you who had to endure that.

Barb