I tangently and briefly touched on this casting concept in my post ranking the songs from The Swan Princess, how is that for an introduction?
But in all seriousness there exists in musical theatre three roles from musicals based iconic French literary works where the principal antagonist is motivated by his obsession. Honestly there is more than likely more title than three* but Javert and The Phantom are from musical smash-hits and The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Notre Dame de Paris is more under-appreciated shows in the musical theater space, at least in North America. Note Dame de Paris is a little more beloved in other parts of the World.
So if you have guessed the roles are Javert, The Phantom and Frollo or as I call them “Obsessive French Man Musical Trio of Roles” though at first I used the word “triumvirate,” “trio” as a word works a little better with the music theme.
Originally I had thought there was one performer that had, at least some capacity, played all three role thus completing the trio but alas it turns out I was wrong. One, Joesph Tokarz was in ensemble of a Yeston’s Phantom production and not the Opera Ghost himself. However since I proved myself wrong there I decided to dig a little more to see if there was a Notre Dame de Paris former cast member who fit the criteria and I’m sad to say that we were so close. Wim van den Driessche was cast as Firmin and as one of the Phantom understudies for the canceled Mogador 2016 Paris cast. Could be another performer who has actively played all three roles of Frollo, Javert and the Phantom? Maybe but haven’t found that performer as of yet. But there is also hope that it could happen one day.
For the more well-known version the musicals many performers have played two out the three roles mostly The Phantom and Javert so let’s go for broke and suggest a musical performer for a Frollo who has also played Javert and The Phantom in high profile productions, Norm Lewis.
Read More →