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michael ball - marius

   Michael Ball was born on June 27, 1962 near Stratford-Upon-Avon. He began to study drama at the Guildford School of Acting, where he graduated in 1984. Michael Ball was now a trained actor and he never took a singing lesson in his life. He was just gifted with a beautiful voice. Michael soon found himself being offered in Broadway musicals which ended up being a perfect start for his acting and singing career.

    When he performed as Frederic in "The Pirates of Penzance", he has been discovered by producer Cameron Mackintosh. After seeing him perform, Michael Ball was invited to audition for the juvenile lead in a new musical called "Les Misérables" playing the role of Marius. He then went on to record the Original London Cast. He can also be heard on the Complete Symphonic Recording and the 10th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall.

    He began his career with Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1987, when he joined the West End Cast to play Raoul in "The Phantom of the Opera". Michael Ball was offered to play Alex in the Original London Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, "Aspects of Love".

    Michael went to record the Original London Cast recording of Aspects of Love and his single, "Love Changes Everything" was hit # 1 in UK charts. Michael was asked to reprise his role of Alex in the 1990 New York Production of "Aspects of Love".

    After returning from New York, Michael decided to take a break from musicals and to find other interests. He was chosen to represent Great Britain in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest. He finished with 2nd place with the song, "One Step Out of Time". Michael then released his first solo CD "Michael Ball" which reach #1 in UK charts. This was followed by 8 other CDs which have all reached "Gold" status. His recent CD, "The Movie", has just been certified "Platinum" with over 500 000 copies sold. It is Michael's most successful album to date.

    Michael was also a part of the "Rage of the Heart" concept recording in 1987, a 1993 studio recording of "West Side Story" with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a popular run on television with his television series "Michael Ball". In 1995, Michael started in his first film, "England, My England", playing the famous British composer, Henry Purcell. In 1995, Michael was asked to reprise his role as Marius in "Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall".

    In 1996, Michael was offered the role of "Giorgio" in the London production of Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award Winning musical, "Passion". There is a live concert recording of Passion featuring Michael on sale now! In 1998, Michael was in part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber 50th Birthday Celebration Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, the "Hey Mr. Producer" Concert Gala celebrating the shows of Cameron Mackintosh, and the "Sondheim Tonight" concert held at the Barbican Center. Michael was also asked to record the track "Unsettled Score" for the "Whistle Down the Wind" Concept CD.

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lea salonga - eponine

    Lea Salonga started her professional career at the age of 7 in Repertory Philippines' production of "The King and I" and has since appeared in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Rose Tattoo", "Annie", "The Sound of Music, "The Goodbye Girl", "Paper Moon" and "The Fantasticks". At the age of 10, she started her recording career and received a gold with her first album, Small Voice.

    Lea also hosted her own musical television show, "Love, Lea" which she hosted with her brother, Gerald Salonga. In 1984, Lea was one of the Filipino representatives to the "Asian Radio and TV Artistes Exchange" in Singapore. In 1985, Lea was chosen to open for Menudo, a Puerto Rican pop group that is popular in the Philippines. She also recorded two songs and a music video with Charlie Masso, a former Menudo member, for the "Young People's Project".

    In 1989, Lea went to London to play the role of "Kim" in the hit musical, "Miss Saigon" for which she received a "Sir Laurence Olivier Award" and in 1991, she went on to portray that role on Broadway where she earned the "Tony", "Drama Desk", "Outer Critics' Circle Awards", and "Theater World Awards". While in Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga recorded the singing voice of Jasmine for the Walt Disney animated hit, "Aladdin".

    In 1993, Lea played the role of Eponine in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables". She can only be heard in the "10th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables in the Royal Albert Hall". She has also appeared in the Honolulu and London productions of Les Misérables. She has also performed the song, "A Whole New World" at the 65th Annual Academy Awards, where the song won an Oscar. In the same year, she released her self-titled international debut album with Atlantic Records, which has gone platinum and gold in parts of Southeast Asia.

    Lea Salonga was invited to participate in the "Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert" at London's Royal Albert Hall, staring Eponine in October 1995. She was also in part of Cameron Mackintosh's, "Hey Mr. Producer" which was filmed last May and released on album, video and book.

    In 1998, she also appeared as the singing voice of the lead for a Walt Disney animated film called Mulan. Moreover, BMG Records (Philippines) released her album called, "In Love" which reach quintuple platinum in the Philippines. Earlier in 1999, Lea came full circle as she reprised her award-winning role of Kim on Broadway's Miss Saigon. In September 1999, she was the role of Kim in the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Miss Saigon in London.

    Recently, she just portrayed the role of Sonia Walsk in the Singapore Repertory Theatre production of the Neil Simon musical, "They're Playing Our Song".

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jérôme pradon - marius

    After leaving Martin Guerre, Jérôme went back to Paris and played Guido in Nine.  Jérôme has not appeared on stage since then but he has been pretty busy participating a workshop for musicals and he directed and performed one man play (invitation only performance). The musical he worked on at a workshop sounds promising and may hit West End next year. 

    Jérôme was considered as the cast for the revamped Martin Guerre tour, but he apparently turned it down!

    Jérôme has just completed a film with Dennis Rodman, tentatively called SIMON SAYS, in which he plays the villain. He has also played in a TV series for the BBC called ARISTOCRATES as well as in a TV Film for the French National Television.

    Jérôme is going to star as Rasputin at the Bridewell Theatre in Killing Rasputin!  Also, he is scheduled to appear at an AIDS benefit concert in Paris next April. Stay tuned!

    Jérôme is working on two major films including one directed by Roland Joff·(The Killing Fields, Mission) and starring Gerard Depardieu. Will this be shown in U.S. too?!

    VATEL, the Joff·film will definitely be shown in the US since it's shot in English and also stars international stars such as Uma Thurman. 

    Jérôme had a featured role in a film called THE DANCER, directed by Fred Garcon and produced by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element). It was shot in France but spoken in English.

    Also, Jérôme will star a short musical film about modern fairy tale written by Stephane Ly-Cuong who won the screenplay contest in France. The songs have been recorded already and they are going to shoot within a month! 

    Jérôme will be back on stage this fall but in a non-musical role. He will play Godfrey Hamilton's ROAD MOVIE at the Sudden Theatre from November 11 through December 5 in Paris. He portrays all the characters in this play and he has adapted himself the play from English into French. Hope this will be a huge hit and transfer to West End or Broadway!!

    Jérôme has just finished shooting VATEL and everything seemed to went well. The film should be released in the spring 2000.

    Jérôme has the privilege to play the part of Judas in the forthcoming video of "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be released next fall. He will perform in a new revue, a musical compilation of 40 songs by the Oscar winning lyricist Don Black. The revue which has been expected for some time is scheduled to open in the West End in April or May.

    Jérôme Pradon, who has just finished a run in Martin Guerre at the Prince Edward Theatre, is the only actor to have played leading roles in all three Boublil and Schönberg musicals, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Martin Guerre.

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anthony warlow - enjolras

    Anthony made his debut with The Australian Opera at the age of nineteen as a guest in Benjamin Britten's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After working closely with the company's Musical Director Richard Bonynge, he was awarded the Joan Sutherland Scholarship and was invited to prepare the role of 'Papageno' in Mozart's famous piece, THE MAGIC FLUTE, which he performed in 1984 to critical acclaim. He was asked to remain with the company as a principal artist and in the following years his repertoire grew to include LA BOHEME, TOSCA, THE TALES OF HOFFMAN (with Dame Joan Sutherland), ROMEO & JULIET, LA FANCUILLA DEL WEST and DON GIOVANNI.

    1987 saw his return to The Australian Opera after success in GUYS & DOLLS and his one man show, A SONG TO SING, O and a season of Emmerich Kalman's COUNTESS MARITZA. He also signed to play the role of 'Enjolras' in the Australian production of LES MISÉRABLES, directed by Trevor Nunn. His performance is featured on the Grammy Award-winning International Cast Recording of the production.

    In 1990 Anthony was chosen by director Hal Prince and producer Cameron Mackintosh to play 'Phantom' in the Australian production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. His portrayal of the role is regarded as one of the finest in the world, and won him several Mo Awards as well as the Advance Australia Award.

    In May 1992 Anthony was diagnosed with lymphoma, which forced him to withdraw from the cast of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to concentrate on his treatment and recovery.  Following his recovery, Anthony recorded his third album, 'Back in the Swing', which on release debuted at No. 3 in the ARIA charts. (His two previous albums, 'Centre Stage' and 'On the Boards', had also reached top five positions in the ARIA charts with all his solo albums achieving gold or platinum status).

    Following the release of his third album, Anthony toured Australia with his BACK IN THE SWING concert tour, which was a national box-office sell-out. Each show received standing ovations and the tour was critically acclaimed nationally. Later that year he played the role of 'Henry Higgins' in the Victoria State Opera's production of MY FAIR LADY, a sellout season for the company and a role he has enjoyed performing in several seasons around the country. Anthony warlow honoured with the Performer of the Year Award in 1994. That same year his album 'Midnight Dreaming' was released.

    Anthony made a long awaited return to The Australian Opera in 1995, playing the role of 'Archibald Grosvenor' in their acclaimed production of Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta PATIENCE. Later that year he starred in the multi award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN as 'Archibald Craven'.

    In July 1996 he released The Best of Act One, a compilation of his recordings to date, which achieved platinum status.

    From July to September 1996 Anthony performed with Sarah Brightman in THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. This was followed by his debut solo tour of Japan.

    1997 saw Anthony's return to the role of 'Henry Higgins' at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, as well as to the newly formed Opera Australia, reviving his role of 'Eisenstein' in a new production of Strauss's DIE FLEDERMAUS. His performance once again received critical acclaim, and his performances in DIE FLEDERMAUS and PATIENCE have been recorded by Opera Australia for video release.

    In 1998 he took flight (literally) with his performance as 'Teen Angel' in GREASE - THE ARENA SPECTACULAR! He recorded his two hit songs from the production for his new label, 'Skylark Records'.

    Later that year he joined Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham in THE MAIN EVENT which outsold all international acts in Australia in 1998. 'The Main Event' produced a #1 album which is now multi platinum, selling around 426,000 copies. To follow on from the huge success and appeal of the CD, SEL produced a television special for the Seven Network and an extended version for release on video.

    In November 1999, Anthony returned to the Opera as Papageno in Opera Australia's Melbourne Season of THE MAGIC FLUTE which was a huge success.

    Anthony was just involved in Tim Rice's Concert Spectacular with Kate Ceberano, INXS, Bachelor Girl, Iva Daives, David Essex and Sir Tim Rice.

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