Les Misérables returns to the ASU Gammage this month to celebrate its 25th anniversary since first appearing on Broadway.
Arizona native, Nathaniel Hackmann, understudies for the lead role of Jean Valjean, for the anniversary tour. As the son of a choir director and community theatre performers, Hackmann was sure he would never become active in the arts. However, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from NAU and a master’s degree in music from Central Michigan University, Hackmann has soared in both areas of musical theatre and opera.
He toured with Disney’s, “Beauty and the Beast” as Gaston and played several roles in various opera companies including Cumberland County Playhouse and the DuPage Opera Theater.
Hackmann answered questions for The State Press in a phone interview.
The State Press: How did your family’s role in the theater community influence your interest in music?
Nathaniel Hackmann: My parents actually met in a high school production and were both actors and singers, so I’ve grown up backstage. It’s a natural thing for me. I played the trumpet and was a serious musician growing up. Jazz was my first passion and in college I had my first voice lesson and realized jazz would be a hard career.
At NAU, I joined Canyon Moon Theater, my first professional theatre program and did eight or nine shows with them. CMT’s producer, Mary Guaraldi, was my mentor during my time there.
SP: Do you prefer opera or musical theater?
NH: Each is different in key ways. In musical theater, the story is most important and the words are instrumental. In opera, it’s the music and the sound that is central. My goal is to include all those elements in both art forms. They can be accomplished with different approaches and I’m blessed to work in both genres.
SP: How is Les Misérables different than all the other shows you’ve done?
NH: LM is a fascinating hybrid of both genres — opera and musical theater. It is a sung play that makes it in some ways an opera. LM is affecting to the audience and an amazing piece of literature.
SP: What advice would you give to students who want to pursue musical theater?
NH: It’s a tough business right now. If you can see yourself doing anything else that makes you happy then I’d say do that instead because starting a career in the arts is hard. If not, then do theater — it’s your calling.
Les Misérables opens at the ASU Gammage on Sept. 11 and runs until Sept. 16. Visit asugammage.com for more information.
Reach the reporter at mkthomp5@asu.edu
