PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Love Never Dies, Phantom and Les Miz Star Ramin Karimloo

By Matthew Blank
21 Feb 2012

Ramin Karimloo
Ramin Karimloo

Ramin Karimloo, currently starring as Valjean in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre, fills out Playbill.com's questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop-culture tidbits.

Karimloo is best known for playing the Phantom in both The Phantom of the Opera (including in the 25th anniversary concert last October at the Royal Albert Hall, now released on DVD) and the original London production of Love Never Dies.

He has also previously starred in The Phantom of the Opera as Raoul and in Les Miserables as Enjolras (a role he re-created in the 25th anniversary concert of that show at the 02 Arena).

Karimloo will release a new solo album in March via Sony Music entitled "Ramin." He will embark on a U.K. tour, Ramin - In Concert, in May, beginning at London's Royal Festival Hall May 1, then continuing to Southend, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.



 Continued...

Full given name: Ramin Karimloo

Where you were born/where you were raised: Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Peterborough Ontario and Richmond Hill Ontario.
Zodiac Sign:Virgo
Current audition song/monologue: I’ve been super lucky to be sent sides for auditions so I don’t really have something good to go at the moment. What I do have prepared I wouldn’t say anyway.
Something you're REALLY bad at: Time-keeping
First Broadway show you ever saw: The Phantom of The Opera in Toronto
If you could go back in time and catch any performance, what would it be? Ragtime with Brian Stokes Mitchell or Jesus Christ Superstar with Colm Wilkinson as Judas
Current show—other than your own—that you have been recommending to friends: Matilda and Jerusalem
Favorite showtune of all time: "If Ever I Would Leave You"
Some favourite musicals: Ragtime, Parade, Les Miserables, Last 5 Years
Stage or screen stars of the past you would most have loved to perform with: Heath Ledger, Brando, Olivier
Your personal vocal idols, living or dead: Ray Charles, David Phelps, Steve Tyler, Colm Wilkinson, Johnny Cash, Gordon Downie
The one performance – attended - that you will never forget: Les Miserables in Toronto with Colm Wilkinson. What a cast!
Music that makes you cry, any genre: Country/Bluegrass/Folk
MAC or PC? MAC
Most played song on your iPod: At the moment it’s "Wagon Wheel" by the Old Crow Medicine Show, but overall I think it’s a tie between a song by The Tragically Hip or The Avett Brothers.
Most-visited websites: Well of the ones I can say... I’d say UFC.com
Favorite Tweeters Ricky Gervais or Chael Sonnen
Last book you read: Funny enough, "Les Miserables"
Must-see TV shows: "Sons of Anarchy"
"Boardwalk Empire"
"Parks and Recreation"
"Eastbound and Down"
"Entourage"
Last good movie you saw: "Horrible Bosses"
Some films you consider classics: "Godfather 1 and 2," but one of my favourite films is "Carlito’s Way." Sean Penn and Al Pacino are sensational.
Performers you would drop everything to go see: Allison Krauss and Dan Tyminski
Pop culture guilty pleasure: "The Ultimate Fighter" …or …… TOWIE (aka "The Only Way Is Essex"). Sorry!
Favorite cities: Taormina (Sicily), Toronto, New York
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