Naperville native tackles Jean Valjean for Paramount's 'Les Misérables'

Naperville native Robert Wilde was surprised when, out of the blue, he was asked to audition for the leading role of Jean Valjean in Paramount Theatre's new production of “Les Misérables.”

The 44-year-old actor had relocated his family to Brooklyn seven years ago, so he had only heard about the recent acclaim for the Aurora theater's self-produced musicals from positive social media comments made by former singing colleagues from the Lyric Opera of Chicago chorus.

“I got a random Facebook message,” said Wilde about his first contact from Paramount artistic director Jim Corti. “He asked if I was interested, and we set up the audition from there.”

What put Wilde on Corti's radar was a suggestion from Matt Guthier, the Paramount's costume manager.

Guthier previously worked with Wilde, back when he was performing with the name Robert A. Feldbinger, in 2001. At the time, he was starring in the demanding title-role(s) of the 1997 Broadway musical “Jekyll & Hyde” for the former dinner theater at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

Wilde was amazed that one of his performances from 14 years ago would be remembered and help him land the dream role of Valjean in such a high-profile professional production.

Yet there are many challenges to portraying the kindhearted former convict, created by French novelist Victor Hugo in the 19th century.

First and foremost is Valjean's wide vocal range in the musical, composed by songwriters Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. In fact, the off-Broadway comedy revue “Forbidden Broadway” famously spoofed Valjean's sung prayer “Bring Him Home” with the lyrics: “God, it's high! This song's too high!”

“It is a trick to kind of learn how to pace yourself because there are demands in many, many ways vocally,” said Wilde. “Not just pacing yourself, but understanding where you have to give power and where you have to hold back and you have to navigate almost different styles of singing — all grounded in good technique.”

Then of course there's Valjean' epic dramatic journey — from an embittered ex-con to the respected factory owner who becomes the adoptive father of the waif Cosette (Nicole Scimeca). Years later, Valjean also gets caught up in the civil unrest of Paris in the 1840s in an effort to watch over the revolutionary student Marius (Devin DeSantis), who has won the heart of grown Cosette (Erica Stephan).

This is the first time for Wilde to be working with many of his fellow performers, and he's pleased to be part of a talented ensemble that includes Rod Thomas as the policeman Javert.

“They're total professionals who are vocal powerhouses,” said Wilde of his younger co-stars. “Tapping into this new generation of exciting talent is great for me.”

Wilde is also impressed by Corti's physical staging. Like the original Broadway production, Paramount's “Les Misérables” will have a revolving stage — something that was missing from the recent national tour and local productions.

Wilde is happy to return to the area to reconnect with extended family and show off his 6-month-old daughter.

“I have two separate cousins whose families are living in Naperville now, and I have aunts in Joliet and other relatives around the city as well,” he said, “so it's so great to be back to be doing an epic work and be able to share that with them.”

“Les Misérables”

<b>Location:</b> Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora,

(630) 896-6666 or

<a href="http://www.paramountaurora.com">paramountaurora.com</a>

<b>Showtimes:</b> Runs March 18 to April 26: 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday

<b>Tickets:</b> $41-$54