Youngest Jean Valjean Ever in Broadway's Les Miserables - Easter Bonnet 2015

Opting to skew younger in casting, Les Misérables set out to find a new Jean Valjean and landed with a star-in-the-making performance of "The Confrontation" by 13-year-old Joshua Colley, who stunned the audience in his vocal duel with current Javert understudy John Rapson.
The generosity of the American theatre community shined brightly as six weeks of spring fundraising raised another record-breaking grand total for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The 29th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition raised a remarkable $4,711,386, making this the third year in a row the event set a new fundraising record.
***
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theater community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance.
For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, at BCEFA, at BCEFA, at tiktok.com/@bcefa and at / bcefa .

[@keplerr1512]

alternate title: beefy police man harasses a ten year old for three minutes

[@hosinlok3410]

gumshoe you mean ‘beefy police man harasses a *talented* ten year old for three minutes’

[@libertyerichsen3904]

STOPPPP AGAHAHHAHAHJDBWJJD

[@ckali8702]

@@hosinlok3410 do you mean “talented 10 year old harassing beefy police man for 3 minutes”

[@Siegfried1917]

that's really just the subplot of javert and gavroche

[@kinggeorgeiii7229]

He’s 13 also did he play gavroche?

[@BacadoTheSkoggy]

How to feel untalented 101

[@14boi21]

+Matthias “John” Tan LOL

[@corarosier3654]

Matthias Tan ikr!

[@sam-wc1li]

MEEEEE

[@vincentalatorre]

Matthias Tan SAME

[@tsukareta_27]

Are you talking about ME? :(

[@gingaindi]

Does anyone else watch this and want a fully child cast performance of Les mis now

[@bcefa]

+India Moore We totally do, India!

[@RKKGamer12]

But...lovely ladies...

[@agreenpar]

I do!!

[@annasrkr2260]

I do♡♡♡

[@skylarward9914]

+India Moore OMG YES

[@amyroddey5942]

They laugh but he shuts them up real quick 😂

[@tacosaurus3517]

Amy Roddey Damn right 😂

[@billiebuffalo]

This annual performance is a parody. The joke was that he was a baby valjean, not that he wouldn’t be able to sing.

[@HappySlayer81]

@@billiebuffalo We all get what it was. But it started as a joke and the talent muted the joke. That's what the OP implied.

[@mjcortez2460]

there's no one to shut

[@amyroddey5942]

MJ Cortez I was referring to the audience who laughed when they first saw him

[@kittykat123425]

Hollywood: Here’s a high budget film adaptation with a bunch of celebrities Theatre People: eh Broadway Cares: Here’s a 10 year old Valjean beating up Javert Theatre People: OMG THIS IS ALL I EVER WANT

[@zanderwohl]

Difference between those A-list celebrities and this kid? The kid can sing.

[@MFTQ]

@@zanderwohl Marius, Cossette, Granataire, Epoine and Enjoloras' actors were good. Rest sucked.

[@jenniferh189]

to be fair...he sings much better than Russell Crowe!

[@jaysahunter256]

It’s insane how people hire literal 30 year olds to play children when children can do this

[@laurdesz9050]

@@jaysahunter256 SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK

[@johnmccarron7066]

I love how there's that laugh when he comes out...and then the kid starts singing. And you hear that collective 'Whoa.'

[@bcefa]

+John McCarron Exxxxxxxactly, John.

[@lifethroughcoraslenses36]

I know, amazing!

[@graphical7742]

It's so embarrassing when you lose to a 13-year-old kid.

[@itsameprincesspeach]

13 year olds are some of the scariest people change my mind

[@nickiito5201]

SuperSweet fear me

[@kozlovxei]

Wait--he's 13?? I thought he's like 10 or 11

[@adriannethornheart8516]

SuperSweet That man’s got feminine hips

[@theinsanelycooljaredkleinm6077]

Adrianne Thornheart No that's the thing I'm sensitive about!

[@LoganAllec]

"i'm a stronger man by far" 😂

[@kinggeorgeiii7229]

“ there is no power in me yet my race is not yet trail!” ( dat what it sounded like to me)

[@theevilqueenreadstoo]

I laughed at that too xD

[@ShnoogleMan]

This is the same kid who sang the part of Angelica in the Miscast Schuyler Sister's performance

[@zoey769675naruto]

Yes

[@kiki-wm1bk]

Yeah! Isn't he Joshua Colley??

[@morganhurlock8506]

+Tiffany Cheng yes

[@PolyBiBadger]

+Tiffany Cheng yes, he's LMM and Groff Sauce's love child or if Kurt and Blaine from Glee had a son

[@randompanda4325]

ShnoogleMan YASSSS

[@ms.marvelous8156]

I hope this kid gets to play Jean Val Jean someday when he's older

[@ellieemmerling240]

Didn't he play Gravroch

[@ellieemmerling240]

I think that's how that's spelled. But I do to hope he can.

[@ellieemmerling240]

I think that's how that's spelled. But I do to hope he can.

[@PolyBiBadger]

+Andrea Martinez yes it is and he was great

[@diana9379]

he was Gavroche...an amazing Gavroche

[@lindseykendrick2397]

Im sorry but why does this 13 year old have the best vibrato I've ever heard?!

[@lordchold2316]

cuz he is insane

[@cmd0317]

Cuz it’s Joshua

[@tristyy404]

Lord be kind to him in puberty! His voice is bananas!!

[@aldturwig]

Unfortunately his voice is getting lower, and of course it is straining his higher notes. You can hear it in the Charlie Brown play he is in, but he is still an incredible talent.

[@cpskelton5842]

+Abbey he will definitely always have great talent

[@ellieemmerling240]

But he is an amazing singer. still. I think it's working pretty well. Puberty is making if difficult but It will work

[@ellieemmerling240]

He did amazing in the miscast as Angelica

[@aldturwig]

+Ellie Emmerling I agree with the puberty making it difficult part. But he still is and will always be astounding.

[@kcorona7715]

When Joshua sings the word "done" I literally almost cry because of the glorious vibrato.

[@bcefa]

+Kristiana Corona Us too!

[@clarabrandaog]

OMG YES

[@ashleytremblay1740]

Is it falsetto too or is it just his high voice?

[@mollymoorhead9305]

Ashley Tremblay i’m wondering that too

[@wiIIium]

Ashley Tremblay That was his full voice

[@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.]

"I am warning you Javert, I'm the stronger man by far." "Dude ... you're thirteen ..."

[@marttat8984]

Maybe he is as strong as his voice

[@jmitterii2]

He had the perfect look to... I mean he really pulled it off, his acting on top of his singing, and the arrangement being a bit higher... would be really cool if they could put on an entire show like this... maybe with him older if he can still hit those notes... even if he can't...the normal arrangement is fine... still high notes though in places.

[@VanNessy97]

Exactly. 13 year olds are the meanest people in the world.

[@wigginender]

There is power in him yet; his race is not yet run!

[@bellecastro9031]

1:42 HE EVEN HAS A GROWL HOLY

[@lindenm.9149]

This killed me. I can’t imagine many people pulling off the emotion in it. It was beautiful

[@alicepatrick4627]

I want that voice

[@whatdoyousuppose]

oh my god the POWER in his voice, good lord what a belt range! and an even vibrato, wonderful breath support and phrasing, wow he's like the child version of Gavin Creel I am losing my shit right now

[@CarlieMae]

Same.

[@MyAbigail123]

goosebumps all over 💜

[@Ch_Photo]

Listen to the miscast of Schuyler sisters from Hamilton, he is Angelica

[@MyAbigail123]

+Clayton Hahnlen he's soo good

[@PolyBiBadger]

+Abby Walks he's amazing

[@joeyflint7232]

Joshua is absolutely amazing. But does anyone else agree that Javert is also very good as well?

[@bcefa]

+Joey Flint Josh Rapson is great - he's currently touring the country in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder!

[@sorano916]

+Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS John Rapson, not Josh Rapson. :)

[@YouWouldntStealABag]

John Rapson’s actually my favourite Javert I think he does I real good job for an understudy.

[@silentsmurf]

This performance wouldn’t work this well without a good Javert

[@venus8545]

Javert in this is incredible!

[@thangvuong9196]

This kid is ASTOUNDING, not only does he have a great voice, but his command and total commitment to the role is quite amazing considering his age. BRAVO!

[@breanabrown9167]

Joshua was just born for broadway

[@brittanycarriger]

this kids voice has me in tears

[@bcefa]

+Brittany Carriger Joshua is an incredible talent!

[@annikan42]

Joshua Colley could probably sing the dictionary and make people cry

[@XoIoRouge]

I really want this... ._.

[@elliart7432]

this is incredible, but I think Javert has a bit to much time on his hands if he spends 10 years hunting down a 12 year old kid over a loaf of bread...

[@maggiek603]

K but imagine seeing a 2 year old stealing bread, someone yells at him, the 2 year old toddles away..., that's amazing tho

[@ivylee7759]

Me thinks the later years were because of the silver he stole from the Bishop

[@albertesolveigbkgaardmorte9356]

Les Walking Dr. Musical Lover listen, that's one of the problems with Les Miserables. It's a bit unrealistic

[@ThomasJM]

Ivy Lee but the bishop gave it to him as a gift

[@astrowiz3544]

Alberte Solveig Bækgaard Mortensen the book explains Javert's motives a lot better than the musical.

[@priccles]

"I'm a stronger man by far" God I wheezed much harder than I should have

[@rebeccamarie5084]

It's really sad, because I feel like the older he gets, the less impressed people will be by his voice, even though it's still going to sound amazing.

[@rizzolaroux]

Rebecca Marie Saw a video of his at 18 a few months back, still super impressive and an amazing vocalist.

[@rsuda2499]

I feel this way exactly.

[@JulioCesar-xr5vv]

I liked his voice more back then, but he's still great.

[@nataleestepaniants5650]

My reaction to this: **Valjean walks on stage** Me: Ha! That kids cute **Valjean starts singing** Me: **Mouth drops** ... Me: Holy crap

[@brOOFke]

Joshua Colley is a gift to the world.

[@smolestbean762]

My reaction too

[@Mark_R_Tho]

What happened next?🤗

[@laurendoaesthetic3079]

This kid can belt and can do runs so good Josh IS SO TALENTED the heavens has a brang him a beautiful future.

[@robl.7175]

@@Mark_R_Tho ummm what

[@Jess-uk1ut]

Anyone else in the “Ive seen this over a million times, but I will 100% watch it again” group? Same.

[@ladylala0251]

I hate Broadway I've gotten no sleep I'm too obsessed

[@LaurenFrost22]

+Emily Ogden I relate to this so much

[@Lexiy76]

Chills. I want to see this kid in everything.

[@raebauer7941]

You should search The Schuyler sisters get miscast. He's is the best in that

[@Lexiy76]

Minecraft meatloaf I've seen it and he was amazing, it's what led me to this video.

[@Isa-qz9mb]

@@Lexiy76 He has so many amazing videos he is actually incredible

[@Stamanahdancer]

This would be stunning regardless of age. The fact that he is so talented -- both vocally and as far as his acting performance go -- at only thirteen speaks volumes as to what he will eventually accomplish. Breathtaking. I've got chills. Seriously.

[@bcefa]

Stamanahdancer Josh Colley an incredible performer!

[@coolnessiscoolgirl]

I swear half of these views are from me

[@izzylovespsych]

Sabrina N Mine are the other half.. :)

[@adambrien896]

But... All the views are from me...

[@TaintedStardom]

Wait, I thought all the views were mine?

[@teejay1397]

Probably on my 120477th view

[@jimbreitbeil8843]

+Tee Jay I have watched this like one million times

[@4dultw1thj0b]

Only goes to show what little people can do. ;)

[@bcefa]

+AlwaysGonnaSing We see what you did there...

[@4dultw1thj0b]

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS While I have your attention, could you please tell Lin-Manuel Miranda that I think he's cute and I want to be exactly like him when I grow up

[@zzlai6235]

+AlwaysGonnaSing You win the Broadway part of the Internet!!!

[@Aiaisahorse123]

Even if you're little, you can do a lot...

[@erina3524]

AlwaysGonnaSing pretty sure he played gavroche at one point too!

[@linusmckinney3515]

“I’M THE STRONGER MAN BY FAR” Yeah ok kid

[@jmitterii2]

Oh he is!

[@dignature123]

Omg he has growl 1:41...this was great!

[@daniellerogerson2497]

This made get goosebumps like wow

[@daniells8533]

dignature123 I died

[@user-tb3ns8li5n]

so is javert the only policeman in france or what

[@ChelseaJeanBentley]

essentially yes haha

[@arielvillademayo]

No. There are two. The other one is the inspector Clouseau.

[@_.youngblood._6947]

|-/

[@silvermilaxlove1615]

loser lover: obviously! 😂

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

The word is gendarme.

[@cossycontessa281]

He's incredible

[@bcefa]

Josh Colley is incredible. Thanks for watching Christie!

[@carlhsieh2615]

He's way better than that fraud "Nick Jonas".

[@cassgraff]

+Carl Hsieh Nick Jonas played Marius not Javert...

[@carlhsieh2615]

I know that, Nick Jonas's voice sucks.

[@cassgraff]

+Carl Hsieh I admit he wasn't right for the part, but his voice wasn't that bad

[@sadas3190]

Teacher: go to detention Kid: I AM WARNING YOU MISS CLAIRE

[@rhblake]

oh my god i remember seeing this and thinking baby valjean was brilliant! little did i know he's the same kid singing as angelica in the schuyler sisters miscast!! SUCH TALENT!

[@meganhash7840]

+Rhiannon Blake WAIT ARE YOU FOR REAL HE IS?!

[@kaitlynb1331]

+Megan Hash yep! his name is joshua colley!

[@walkergirl02]

The audience shut up real quick

[@ScotsGirl96]

You can hear at 0:19 the gasps from the audience when Colley starts singing...absolutely blown away!

[@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.]

Adult Javert: You will starve again, unless you learn the meaning of the law. 13-year-old Valjean: I know the meaning of those nineteen years a slave of the law. Adult Javert: ... wait, what?

[@sarahheppen6370]

you have no idea how many times i've watched this.. he's honestly the best valjean i've ever heard

[@jackbinger4821]

Certainly not the best valjean but that kid will be going places!

[@kittyofyore5181]

I can’t even enjoy the other Confrontations, this one is my all time fave!

[@newsiesgirl6307]

Everyone laughed when he came on and then they got blown away

[@tankmaster1018]

Haha I love how gentle the guy playing Javert was at 1:14 when he was swinging the chain at Joshua! He made it look decent, but you can tell he was freaking out that he was gonna swing it too hard!

[@yuelingui]

THAT NOTE AT 1:44 IS INSANE IM SO SHOOK

[@yuelingui]

a month later still shook

[@diana9379]

same

[@tuvis6896]

Two years later still *shook*

[@KatieElizabeth13]

Still shook

[@yuelingui]

its been 2 years , you guessed it. STILL SHOOK

[@cooperhoffman4421]

Holy shit. There’s so much I can talk about at 1:42. The vocal fry, how insanely high that note is. Also that fucking vibrato on “done” immediately after it!! he’s gonna be huge one day.

[@janinepillay5554]

He walks in and you can hear chuckles and then everyone shuts up. I need this superpower but I am unfortunately ✨talentless✨

[@BriGuyIL1980]

Kid has got quite a set of pipes on him. Hope he goes far.

[@alisamoyse9475]

1:15 don’t mind me just giving myself a replay button

[@bethisjolly8537]

I love how it goes from 'awww how cute' to 'holy crap the kid is a legend' in five seconds.

[@musicalmockingbird8606]

I would gladly watch a whole show with him as valjean

[@bcefa]

+Musical Mockingbird Us too. Wouldn't that be incredible?!?

[@shwifty9577]

I'm not the only person who is coming back to watch this nearly every day

[@creolebastard881]

I don't know what I was expecting, but that wasn't it. Bravo

[@shutz17shay]

GOOD LORD. I'd pay to see this kid play Jean Valjean in any production.

[@bcefa]

shutz17shay Us too!

[@jmitterii2]

Would have been sold out tickets... seriously! They would have laughed at first showing until he started singing... then sold out tickets every showing after.

[@JordiekinsxxReal]

THIS KID IS INCREDIBLE

[@itoluigi]

Such beautiful diction I cant ❤️😭

[@annezimmerman2281]

Right? He enunciates every word perfectly, I have no probably understanding him.

[@FueledByDaria]

I watch this at least once a day. What a kid!

[@diana9379]

same

[@Nadia-yk9rv]

He's going to grow up to be a teenage heart throb.

[@elenacoyle3460]

Nadia DeAnne oh he has omg 😍

[@Skyewastaken2]

That kid has the cleanest voice I’ve ever heard

[@millie8943]

I've seen this countless times and yet I still get chills every time I hear this kid sing!!!

[@theultimateusukfan]

Joshua Colley will just be more amazing as the years go on!!!

[@beef4869]

Oh my god. I need a Les Mini Mis. This kid is spectacular.

[@kadibrazil4572]

+Beth Yates Same!

[@AnAwkwardPotato]

I watch this every night before I sleep. Joshua makes my heart whole. (Also, bravo to Javert!)

[@diana9379]

same

[@Theflameblast22]

1:08 The way he throws the phrase "my duty's to the law; you have no rights!" like a spear is actually addicting to hear he sang this so WELL.

[@brielfreeman2083]

this child's version of this song, especially during the overlapping parts, are exactly how it should always sound. hands down!

[@ntjhnssntn95]

Ramin Karimloo's replacement? I agree!!! :D I seriously would love to hear him sing "Bring Him Home." I am sure that he would do great in his career.

[@KokoTooLegit]

this kid IS INCREDIBLE!! WOOOOWWW!!!!

[@bcefa]

koko steele Josh Colley is the real deal!

[@atlasprdx]

1:33 *up to there* WHAT IS THIS KID WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS

[@theswaff699]

kid is Joshua Colley,13, no sorcery just all natural

[@amywogen7586]

Manilva Garrido I

[@rogemif]

HAHAHAHAHAHA best comment ever! lol I had a flash back to when I was watching Merlin on Netflix lol

[@la-lv4fq]

*insert Uther Pendragon

[@graceshelby6560]

I'm in love with this boy. Honestly everything Joshua does is amazing, he can play any part. I am the same age as him and when I never feel more talentless than when I watch his videos...

[@EddoFoxy]

If I could only watch one video for the rest of time, it would be this one. This is seriously amazing. I am in awe.

[@bcefa]

+Emma Fox Thanks for checking it out, Emma!

[@helenabryant8390]

I saw him as Gavroche and he was amazing!!!

[@bcefa]

+Helena Bryant Thanks for checking it out, Helena!

[@keempeelikerz4093]

this littleboy is so talented, i like his voice it's so amazing :)

[@mskimyu]

"And this I swear to you tonight"... ANGELIC. 💕

[@kayladeangelis7805]

Joshua, you just sound more talented every time I hear you sing ;)

[@josephpurdue7583]

It's just....I can't even....it's like........it's absolutely RIDICULOUS to have this much vocal ability at this age - such control over his voice. To go from that impossibly high belt to that stunning soprano quality after.... he's just too good. Never seen anything like it at this age.

[@100percentofnothing]

At first I thought he had a dirty face, but then realized it was his 5 a clock shadow which was painted on! 😂

[@bellaroberts21]

2:00 - voice of an angel! God I could watch this video forever.

[@Nancy01ola]

Talk about passionate singing and acting. Would love to hear him sing Bring him Home.

[@bcefa]

Nancy Segovia What an excellent idea!

[@zellaroonie]

Person, not knowing he's been on broadway: wanna do karaoke? Him, cracking knuckles: sure

[@arsenicCataria]

Oh my gosh, he is adorable! And an amazing Valjean also!

[@bcefa]

+gost trick We can't wait to see Joshua play Valjean somebody, too!

[@dorathybarros6238]

That last rift during the fight is SO powerful

[@kenziekulin176]

This young man is one of the reasons i love this art form so very much. All that truly matters is talent and he has a clear surplus of it. There are adults who cant do that. Joshua Colley, if by some chance one day you happen to read this comment please know that you are amazing and i was really inspired by that performance. thank you for finding your love so early in life and being brave enough yo jump in head first. i wish I was able to do that at 13. Again thank you very much and keep up the amazing work.

[@emleren4295]

I couldn’t agree more

[@hannareps7773]

1:42 literally can’t stop watching. Gave me chills!!!😫🥰

[@chai4029]

Javert is also quite amazing, I think he’s definitely underrated in this performance!

[@official_alyssakatherine]

John Rapson is currently playing Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd and is incredible!

[@shannonwinchester9693]

This child is a gift from the gods of musical theatre

[@kogancames1107]

He did amazing

[@loser_geek_weebever2807]

Don't mind me... just looking for comments I haven't liked as I rewatch this for the umpteenth time

[@katiebohan698]

For people who don’t do theater, singing while stage fighting is incredibly hard to do because you don’t want to mess up and actually hurt someone but also you need to maintain your voice. For this 10 year old so be gOING SO HARD IS IMPRESSIVE

[@leonagryffindor6040]

his voice is so beautiful that my heart is melted

[@olivia1630]

In 10-20 years, im coming back to NYC to see him.

[@christianpullings7990]

Can everyone in the world please watch this??!!

[@joshualogue984]

I can't lie, this is definitely the best Confrontation I've heard

[@Eli-ul1qh]

Josh when he was 13: My voice when I was 13: oNe dAy mOrE

[@TheMistyMolly]

Both have astounding singing and acting skills. Truly great

[@Ru136]

Valjean: *sings about how he has to raise a child* *Is a child himself*

[@Emilytea]

1:42 my child hating stone cold heart melted

[@KureruElric]

I'm stunned. WOW. That kid's got one hell of a voice

[@destinykudelko8480]

Joshua Colley is truly a gift from God and those vocals are to die for😍😍😍

[@jaylynya972]

Free replay button to anyone who needs it 1:33

[@smolestbean762]

that kid can sing fantastically and he has a powerful voice.

[@leahmacmaster6441]

0:12 - 0:18 when the audience goes from laughing to audible gasps in 6 seconds