Great performance. I can see he has used Philip Quast as an influence on his interpretation of Javert, definitely similarly sung though with a bit of his own flavour, and using many of Quast's inflections. I approve.
Yes indeed, Michael McCarthy. Thanks for posting this. I have seen him several times in the Palace Theatre 1997/1996 and for me he is the best javert ever. There is this one scene, when the fight at the barricade is over and the stage is turning and he sits in front of enjolras staring at the audience... fantastic.
I think this is Tim Morgan as Javert, i played Gavrouche in 1997 and 1999 with Gemma Wardle as Eponine, i believe this is also Gemma. Jeff Leyton was Jean Valjean. in 1999 i had the pleasure of having John Owen Jones as Valjean.
I've always loved Michaerl McCarthy. He played Javert briefly in Melbourne Australia back in 1999. Such a strong presecence plus uber friendly in person.
As someone who has known Michael for 16 years now (since he first joined the London cast as the Factory Foreman) I can say that it definately is him. IMO he is the best Javert I've seen (and I've seen the show 97 times). I know a lot of people tend to fall into either the Quast or McCarthy camps, but it is also worth remembering that Michael has been asked back to play the role more than any other actor, so the powers that be must think he is good!
This version's pretty darn good! Eponine has a wonderful voice, and so does Marius. Javert mixes his acting with his singing, making him one of the best Javerts i've ever had the pleasure to listen to! Bravo, 5*.
This is a fantastic song and a fantastic singer. I'm really going to have to see this musical some time. Javert is just like Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I feel bad for this guy cause I feel likes he’s seen as PQ Go to understudy or replacement when he has his own vibe to him.He’s very tough and I feel he’s very stiff as Javert is supposed to.
I like the way the toughness of Javert is represented on the play (eventhough in the book is very different) And I think as well that the best Javert is PQ
I actually think this is one of the better interpretations of Javert's part musically that I've seen. He does lack something in the part of acting, but I find that *almost* all Javert's have that problem.
Like this Javert...has his very own way but still maintain some "quastness" (that really ought to be a word) in his voice. Every production should make a CD!!! There are far too few recording out there!!
I KNEW I couldn't be the only one to think of the other Terrence and Philip when hearding Mann and Quast's first names together... hehe. Michael McCarthy is excellent (love this video), but I still think Philip Quast is my favorite.
this may be michael mccarthy, but i saw les mis before it closed in 2003 and terrence mann reprised his role as javert. i dont know who is playing him currently, though. but i think philip quast is one of the best, if not the best i have heard,
do you know where i can find videos of Terrence Mann singing "Stars" from Les Mis? Or is there any other cds of him online besides him in the OBC? just wondering.
wow, 97 times! I like Terrence Mann too. Phillip and Terrence are my favorites. But i like McCarthy too. I thought it sounded a little weird when he sang "and so it must be, for it is written." I dont know, it just sounded like the words were smushed together, still goos though.
Um, actually, it IS McCarthy (witness many of the previous comments). He has a very different quality to his voice than Quast, plus a slightly different accent--McCarthy is Irish and Quast is Australian.
This Javert is pretty good(McCarthy, if I'm to believe the consensus in the comments). However, there doesn't seem to be as much emotion in this rendition-very little in the way crescendos or decresendos or such. Some parts seem oddly rushed, too. There's plenty of power behind this voice though and definitely not a bad version to listen to. I still prefer Quast, I doubt to hardly anyone's surprise. :)
I disagree. In the comparable scene to this in the book, Javert shows a sense of humor as he apprehends the Thenardiers and their gang. He's also rather sardonic when he's caught at the barricades and sees Valjean there.
I think Quast is the best when it comes to having a commanding presence and his acting abilities. However, i believe Terrence Mann is better vocalist. But to each his own.
Yay, Montparnasse looks like Montparnasse! He almost never does! And the last time I saw him, he was some big black guy with two-foot-long dreads. Talk about breaking the 4th wall. Sigh.
The only problems I have with the show is that 1. the fact that javert was a gypsy isn't addressed and 2. the amis should have had bigger roles Michael is very good, but boy, is he unattractive-looking, love PQ!
Wow, absolutely no passion or feeling or power in mccarthy's voice. This was the best they could find for broadway? He is just singing the notes, there is no emotion in his voice or in his eyes or body. I saw the show in L.A. recently and most of the actors were the same way. Serious let down.
I'd say both Javert and Thenardier here have a great lack of energy... it seems like they are bored acting. Javert goes out of tune plenty of times! Just listen to his notes at 3:01, 5.30 and 5.40 (it's clearly low).
