Sunday, August 30, 2015
Actor Jean-Baptiste dies
NEW YORK
Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the first African-American and youngest person to ever play the role of Jean Valjean in “Les Misirables” on Broadway, has died after falling from a fire escape, according to a show spokesman. He was 21.
Jean-Baptiste died Friday night after the show’s evening performance at the Imperial Theatre, said representative Marc Thibodeau.
“The entire ‘Les Miserables’ family is shocked and devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Kyle, a remarkable young talent and tremendous person who made magic – and history – in his Broadway debut. We send our deepest condolences to his family and ask that you respect their privacy in this unimaginably difficult time,” a statement from the production reads.
The actor was an ensemble member of the company and an understudy for Valjean, going onstage as the ex-convict in a history-making appearance July 23. His last performance in the role was Thursday.
Jean-Baptiste was born in New York and graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea. The 6-foot-2-inch tenor had recently landed two musical roles at Playhouse Square in Cleveland – in “Murder Ballad” and “Love Story.”
Springfield plays state fair after winning suit
SYRACUSE, N.Y.
Rick Springfield was a big hit at the opening day of the 2015 New York State Fair. So was his tush.
The singer best known for his 1981 No. 1 hit “Jessie’s Girl” returned to the suburban Syracuse fairgrounds for the first time since he was sued after falling off the stage during a 2004 concert there. A New York woman said she suffered serious head injuries when Springfield’s buttocks hit her.
In January, he won a seven-year legal battle when a state Supreme Court judge said the performer didn’t injure the woman.
The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports that during Thursday night’s performance, the 66-year-old thanked fans for supporting him during the trial.
Associated Press