From: NewNowNext
A young man who helped break barriers on stage has died tragically, and all of Broadway is mourning: Kyle Jean-Baptiste, who became the first African-American to play Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of Les Misérables, died yesterday after falling from a fire escape.
He was only 21.
Jean-Baptiste was an understudy for the part, and filled in for current star Ramin Karimloo on July 23, making him the youngest person to play the role on the Great White Way, as well.
@BaptisteKyle making history as the the FIRST African American Jean Valjean in Bway history! @LesMizBway pic.twitter.com/d33VmVrh04
— Andrew John Howell (@andrewjhowellny) August 28, 2015
“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,” producers said in a statement. “We send our deepest condolences to his family and ask that you respect their privacy in this unimaginably difficult time.”
When asked about making his debut as Jean Valjean, he told Playbill.com, “I did not immediately think of it as making history. This was my dream since I was a little boy… I felt a huge amount of responsibility to do right by them and to honor this iconic material.”
Posted by Kyle Jean-Baptiste on Friday, July 24, 2015
When not filling in, Jean-Baptiste played Constable and Courfeyrac. He was set to leave the show on September 6.
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