My guest on this episode is Samantha Hill who played Cosette in the 2013 Toronto production and 2014 Broadway revival of Les Miserables. 

Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, Samantha Hill has called New York home for over 8 years. Following a successful acting career in Canada, Samantha moved to New York to star as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. She then went on to join the original Broadway cast in the revival of Les Mis as Cosette. Since then, Samantha has starred off-Broadway and in regional theatres across the US in numerous productions including South Pacific and The Mousetrap.  Selected Canadian credits include Christmas at Pemberley, August:Osage Counry (RMTC) Gracie, (PTE), Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Annie (Rainbow Stage), The Light in the Piazza(Patrick Street Productions), Chicago (Mayfield) and Les Mis (Mirvish Productions). She studied acting at the University of Winnipeg as well as at the prestigious University of Alberta Acting Conservatory where she received her BFA in Acting. Samantha loves coaching musical theatre students, working to encourage and build their overall confidence as performers. 

Samantha not only had some great stories about her time in Les Mis and her unique approach to Cosette’s character, but we also had insightful conversations about mental health and self care for performers. Plus we discussed which Hogwarts house Cosette would be sorted into!

Follow Samantha on Instagram and Twitter @samjeannehill
Visit her website: www.samanthajeannehill.com

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

My guest on this episode is Gavin James whose most recent appearance in Les Mis was as the Factory Foreman in the 2019 All Star Staged Concert. Prior to that he was in the West End cast for three years starting in 2008, was part of the 25th Anniversary concert at the O2, and even did vocals for the Les Mis movie!

Obviously we had a lot to talk about! I absolutely loved getting to hear Gavin’s perspective as someone who has been part of some the biggest events and milestones in the show’s history!

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

I am so excited for you all to hear this episode featuring Arbender Robinson who was an ensemble member and cover Marius in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Miserables. 

Arbender has been steadily working on Broadway for the last 17 years including roles in Hairspray, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Hair, Ragtime, Disney’s The Lion King, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Les Miserables, Shuffle Along, In Transit, and Book Of Mormon. He is a Chicago area native and a proud graduate of Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.

We dove deep into the music, characters, and story of Les Mis and he even had a pretty awesome revelation about his own relationship to the show while we recorded this. He also shared some incredible insights about his experience as a working actor and I could listen to him talk for hours so I’ll definitely have him on again!

Follow Arbender on Instagram @arbender2
Arbender is a vocal coach at New York Vocal Coaching!

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

My guest on this episode is Rebecca Lafferty who was cast as a Swing and Eponine cover in the West End production of Les Miserables right after getting her degree in musical theatre from ArtsEd!

Swings play one of the most important and difficult roles in any production and Rebecca shared so much incredible information about how the casting, rehearsal, and performance aspects work for the Les Mis swings. As part of the original productions final cast, she also had some great stories about the West End traditions and what the closing was like. This is a must-listen for not only Les Mis fans, but all theatre lovers!

Rebecca also offers vocal coaching! Learn more here: @RL.Vocals
Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccalafferty and Twitter @BexLafferty

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

On this episode my guest is stage and screen star Aaron Lazar who played Enjolras in the 2006 Broadway revival of Les Miserables.

Aaron is an actor, singer, producer, and entrepreneur. He has starred on Broadway 11 times including his debut in Phantom of the Opera, The Light in the Piazza, and The Last Ship. His illustrious career also includes film, television, and concerts. I was so honored that Aaron took the time to speak with me about his experience in the first revival of Les Mis and much more!

Learn more about Broadway Lullabies!
Visit Aaron's website

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

This episode features the multi-talented musical theatre performer and writer Matthew Harvey who played Courfeyrac in Les Miserables in the West End! 

Since leaving the show, he has starred in several other West End productions including Murder Ballad, Violet, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Most recently, Matthew has moved into writing musicals. His first song cycle, Now or Never premiered at the Barn Theatre on April 1st and is available to stream internationally until May 9th.

Watch Now or Never here!

Matthew had so many fun stories and memories to share from his time in Les Mis and we got to chat a lot about his creative process for Now or Never, which I’d highly recommend everyone to watch while you can. I gush about all the reasons why in this episode!

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

Hello fellow theatre geeks! On this episode my guest is Paige Smallwood who kickstarted her post-grad professional career as Eponine in the Les Mis US Tour in 2018. 

She was with the show for 16 months until transitioning to Hamilton where she is now the principal standby for all three Schuyler sisters. She earned her Masters in Musical Theatre Performance at The Royals Academy of Music in London, England and before that studied acting, singing, dancing and stage design at Temple University in Philadelphia. She is a New York Native and a true thespian through and through.

I found a total kindred spirit in Paige and we had the most wonderful conversation. I could geek out with her about all things Les Mis and theatre anytime and I hope you all have as much fun listening to this as I did recording it.

Follow Paige on all social media platforms: @pcsmalls
Subscribe to her YouTube Channel!

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!

On this episode I’m talking to the lovely Charlotte Kennedy! Charlotte trained in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts before joining the 30th Anniversary cast of Les Miserables in 2015 as an ensemble member. Then In 2016, she went on to take over the role of Cosette. 

Charlotte had so many amazing Les Mis experiences to share including what it was like having to go on for Gavroche, performing at West End Live, and being part of the original production’s final performance. She also shared what she thinks is an important aspect of the theatre industry that doesn’t get spoken about enough. 

Follow Charlotte on Instagram: charlotte_e_kennedy
Follow Charlotte on Twitter: Char_Kennedy1

Thanks for listening and be sure to follow me on Instagram @beyondthebarricadepodcast!