From Sondheim to London's Les Miz, Norm Lewis Celebrates a Busy Year
Norm Lewis has been a welcome part of the Broadway scene since making his debut (alongside Michael Cerveris, Alice Ripley and Sherie Scott: no Rene at the time) in the original 1993 company of The Who’s Tommy. Most recently lending his lyric baritone to “Being Alive” as part of Sondheim on Sondheim, Lewis, 47, is now spending six months in London playing Javert in Les Miserables, including a featured spot at the show’s 25th anniversary gala at the 02 Centre on October 3. Broadway.com caught the Florida native in an expansive mood one recent afternoon, as he spoke about a career built on Broadway that has now reached out to the West End.
You’ve been working nonstop this year. It seems as if Sondheim on Sondheim just closed.
[Laughs] Yes, we finished on June 27, I left for London on the 28th, started rehearsals on the 29th for four days, had two days off and then premiered on July 5. I am here until January 29. What happened was that [producer] Cameron [Mackintosh]’s office called my manager and asked whether I would be interested in doing the 25th anniversary concert of Les Miserables here in October, and I said, “Heck, yeah,” with no hesitation. Then they asked how I would feel about working in London for six months, so I’m doing both!
It must be great to be part of this particular show during its celebratory year.
That actually adds an extra flavor to it. I did it on Broadway for six months during the recent revival, but it’s great to be part of the whole experience of it here in London. I’m in the originating city of this show, and for some reason—spiritual or psychological—there’s something magical about that.
Do you feel a sense that these long-running musicals provide a sort of theatrical home?
You always want to do something new and different if the opportunity arises, but if there’s not much else going on, it’s a definite plus to be in a show you love. I feel the same as far as Chicago is concerned: I would go back to Chicago in a heartbeat. [Lewis was in the Broadway revival with Gretchen Mol and Charlotte d’Amboise as Roxie and Brenda Braxton as Velma.]
Is there a difference in performing on Broadway and the West End?
There’s a great energy here that is very much like New York. The only [negative] thing is, everything closes down so early! But London’s always been one of my “bucket list” places, and here I am, not only coming to visit but to work and live for a while. The show itself is pretty much the same. They have a system that works, and you kind of add your little flavor to it. I don’t want to belittle it: The system has been working for 25 years, so you can’t really fight that. You’ve got to do what you do to fill that slot.
And you began your run with teen sensation Nick Jonas as Marius.
Originally I had one week with him, because he had already done three weeks, but because of some scheduling things, he stayed an additional two weeks. It was great—he’s very much a mature man, not a kid. When I was 17, I was a kid, but Nick is a 17-year-old man. He has great ethics and morals and always showed up on time, did his job and definitely paid his dues to his fans and friends in terms of meeting them afterwards and shaking their hands. I could also see that he has great business sense. You always knew what was going on with him: when and where and why and how.
Where are you living during the run?
Covent Garden, front and center. I told them that I wanted to be close to the theater so I wouldn’t be somewhere going, “Which train am I supposed to be on?” Of course, since then, I’ve been taking the tube and deliberately getting lost so as to find my way back. That’s a good way to get to know a new city.
And you’re here in the same season as Sierra Boggess [now playing Christine in the Phantom sequel Love Never Dies], your Little Mermaid co-star.
In which she played my daughter! I went to see her show here, and the whole time I was sitting there, I thought, first of all, I know this woman and I can’t believe she does that eight times a week. I’m just honored even to know her, to have touched the hem of her garment. And Ramin [Karimloo, Boggess’s co-star, who will also appear in the Les Miz gala concert]...if this show gets a chance to go to the States, he will become a mega-success. It’s been great being down the street from the cast of Hair, as well. They’ve been amazing, showing me where to go and what restaurants to try and taking me to their homes. Gavin [Creel] and I have been friends for a long time and sang together in the same gospel choir [Broadway Inspirational Voices] in New York.
Your stage career has grown and evolved at a steady pace. Are you satisfied? Any goals for the future?
I’m overwhelmed by the success I have had. By no means am I a household name, but I have been very blessed to work with the people I've worked with, given that I didn’t even know I could sing until I was 17, and even then, I majored in business at college! It's been incredible doing Sweeney and Javert and the King of the Sea in Little Mermaid—and [demonstrating] the fact that anyone could play these roles as part of any race. Hopefully, it’s not over yet. One role in which I’d love to set a precedent is the Phantom. They’ve only had one black Phantom, Robert Guillaume in Los Angeles, so it’s time for one on Broadway. And I would love to do a straight play. My God, to be in something by August Wilson!
Meanwhile, it’s Les Miz times three: your ongoing production at the Queen’s, the new version coming to the Barbican in September and, of course, that historic concert with you, Ramin, Lea Salonga and so many others on October 3.
You know, I’m re-reading the novel again, just for me—all 1,463 pages—and whether you believe in God or Jesus or whoever you believe in, it’s the spiritual aspect that keeps people coming. It’s that element of having faith in another person and just wanting to do right.
