Who can honestly say they landed their dream job right out of college?
Kyle Jean-Baptiste can–and he’s making history twice by doing it.
Right after graduation, the 21-year-old tenor was cast in the Broadway revival of “Les Misérables” playing the roles of Constable and Courfeyrac. He was also cast as an understudy for the iconic role of Jean Valjean.
On July 23, Ramin Karimloo, who normally plays Valjean, gave Jean-Baptiste the chance to step into the spotlight in his absence.
In doing so, Jean-Baptiste made history as the youngest actor—and the first African-American—to perform the part on Broadway.
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“Valjean has been a dream role for me ever since I got involved with music theatre,” the 6-foot-2 Baldwin Wallace University graduate told Cleveland.com. “I zoned out for a second because I couldn’t believe that I was in a Broadway show…in my dream show.”
Jean-Baptiste will continue as understudy for Karimloo, and then for Alfie Boe when he takes over the leading role in September.
The musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel about the survival of the human spirit premiered on “The Great White Way” 30 years ago, and it is the longest running musical in the world.
(WATCH him strut his stuff in this inspiring clip below, or READ more at Cleveland.com) – Photo: Kyle Jean-Baptiste Facebook
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