Thenardier in Regional Tour of Les Miserables

John George Campbell as Thenardier in Theater Royales Southern California regional tour of Les Miserables

This past January through June, with a few weeks break in between, I had the pleasure of performing in the role of Thenardier in Theatre Royales regional touring company’s production of Les Miserables. The tour was a five city tour, with sold out performances at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, in Temecula, California, and standing ovations in well attended performances at the Alex Theater in Glendale, California, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, California,  The Fox Performing Arts center in Riverside, California, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, in Cerritos, California.

I had a lot of the fun with the role, since the character of Thenardier is so despicable, and conniving, but also a very funny character to play. I’d still like to perform in the role of Javert, since it’s in my sweet spot vocally, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun I had performing as Thenardier. Comedic roles seem to suit me.

Here’s an excerpt from a Broadway World review of my performance

“John George Campbell has a lovely voice – far superior to those that ordinarily play the role of Thenardier – “Master of the House” is one of the few moments of comic relief in the entire show… In “Beggars at the Feast,” Mr. Campbell uses comic gestures and dance steps to great effect.”

I kind of giggle at the line in the nice review complimenting my dance steps, because anyone who knows me knows that I’m not too much of a dancer. But, I’ll take the compliment, with a smile, and just hope that the next choreographer that I work with will be gentle with me. I’m not too much of a dancer, but I can move well enough.

Oh, and by the way, I really can act and sing the part of Javert. (Wink wink. Nudge, nudge). Here’s a link to me singing Stars.