Oak Park actor's 'Les Mis' dream comes true ... again
When Broadway in Chicago first announced the return of “Les Misérables” as part of its 2010-11 season, Oak Park actor Joe Tokarz started making plans to take his family to the Cadillac Palace Theatre to see the hit musical based on Victor Hugo's epic novel.
But those plans have changed slightly, since Tokarz ended up being cast in this new 25th anniversary national tour.
“I've been a fan of the show since the beginning,” Tokarz said.
Being in “Les Misérables” was a dream that first came true for him when he was cast in the Jeff-Award-winning 2008 production at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Tokarz plays similar small ensemble roles on tour as he did at the Marriott, but now he is also one of two understudies to Lawrence Clayton, who plays the musical's moralistic hero, Jean Valjean.
Another Marriott “Les Miserables” veteran who is also in the tour, Richard Todd Adams, recommended Tokarz to casting directors. Tokarz was appearing in the Goodman Theatre's recent production of “Candide,” but he was able to audition for “Les Misérables” on his day off and join the show three weeks into rehearsals for its North American debut last year in New Jersey.
Some die-hard “Les Misérables” fans have been up in arms about this new tour staging, which does away with John Napier's iconic turntable set design. Tokarz, however, is sure fans will be wowed by directors James Powell and Laurence Connor's take on the show.
Tokarz says he is amazed by set designer Matt Kinley's new approach that incorporates video projections into the mix, some inspired by drawings made by Victor Hugo himself.
“It's absolutely beautiful and I've fallen in love with it,” he said. “It adds completely different elements to the show.”
Tokarz also points out that now “Les Misérables” has been staged so many times by high schools and other regional theaters that audiences have already been exposed to different approaches to staging this beloved work by the composing team of Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer.
“I think that the message of survival and the human spirit — those things carry through regardless if you're doing it on a turntable, a bare stage or a concert version,” Tokarz said. “The story is beautiful in any form.”
Tokarz's original plans to take his family to see “Les Misérables” have slightly altered. Instead, they'll be watching him onstage, and probably for one of the performances where he's scheduled to go on as Jean Valjean.
“Valjean is truly my dream role,” said Tokarz, who has already had a few opportunities to go on in the role. “I'm really looking forward to be able to do the role back home.”
“Les Misérables”
Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com
Showtimes: Feb. 2 through Feb. 27: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Feb. 6 and 13 (8 p.m. Feb. 2); 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Feb. 3, 16 and 23.
Tickets: $18-$90