Les Miserables: the Original Disney Cast
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Inspired by my own strange fantasies and infatuation with Les Miz.
Chapter 1: Casting Valjean
A renowned but secretive theatrical director had decided to put together a production of one of the world's best loved musicals, Les Miserables, to be performed by Disney characters. Whatever her motives for doing so are unknown but she seemed to possess a power to brook no refusal from any of the characters involved and to be able to torture them without being retaliated at. However mysterious the mastermind of this scheme might be, this is not her story.
A narration of the whole production proceedings from rehearsals to performances is much more interesting.
There was a great conflict in the director's mind as to who would portray Jean Valjean in the musical. These were her reflections on the matter:
"From a psychological standpoint, Aladdin seems the perfect choice. Of all the other male protagonists, it is his story which corresponds most to Valjean's. Therefore, he possesses the emotional depth and understands the inner struggles of this character who transforms from petty thief to hero. He understands the dynamics. He even possesses the same traits of kindness and compassion even in the midst of poverty. He also stole a loaf of bread. Taking all these into consideration, Aladdin was perfect for the role.
But there was just one tiny little problem. Muscle.
Jean Valjean had to be played by a heavily built man who possessed superior physical strength. After all, in the play, he would have to carry whoever would play Marius on his back around the stage. He also had to "look" big and tall to be convincing as a prisoner with considerable strength even in his old age. Then, there was that. Aladdin doesn't look paternal enough. Even if a wig and a beard were plastered on his face, he wouldn't look like the goodly old man Valjean grows to be.
The person with the perfect physical appearance for the role was clearly Hercules. But there was the bigger problem again of his lacking the emotional experience that Aladdin had. He was too young and naïve to understand the heavy dramatic burden borne by Valjean. True, he was an outcast in his youth, but he was never as belittled, humiliated or chastised by his society as Aladdin. Hercules had Olympian blood and demi-god strength, much to his credit, so he gets better treatment after his proving himself as a hero. Aladdin, on the other hand, was born a thief, and had to struggle in his life, even after he had won the woman of his dreams, to prove that even a "riffraff" or "street rat" was worth something. Hercules, though raised in a humble farm, had never experienced real poverty and destitution." Besides, Aladdin spent some time in a jail. Granted, it wasn't for 19 years but it was still an edge over Hercules.
This casting conflict gave the director many a sleepless night until she discovered a resolution.
Eureka!, she cried, running into the empty theatre in her night clothes (she was not as crazy as Archimedes), she used her great powers to summon both Hercules and Aladdin. She stood before them and announced their fates.
"Ahem," she said, "for the sake of this noble performance, I shall be casting Aladdin as Valjean, but in Hercules' body. And vice versa. Hercules (in Aladdin's body) will be playing the role of Marius Pontmercy. Hercules, fortunately, possesses just the right amount of innocence and love sick naivete that will make a perfect Marius. Now that's done, and I can get some sleep."
Herc and Al merely shared a puzzled glance then found themselves whisked back to their homes. They would not realize the consequences of this event until later, during rehearsals, but that's getting ahead of our story.
The next part was a lot easier to cast. Javert, the policeman who relentlessly pursues Valjean, who never falters in his authority and his belief in the justice system. Javert, he never bends the rules. Undoubtedly, this role had to go to Li Shang. And fortunately, he also had the physical appearance for it. Add a couple of side burns and that was done.
Next, the director decided to cast Mulan as the tragic character Fantine. But that's another story.
Note: Well? Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? All welcome. Thank you.