Ramin Karimloo, Iranian-Canadian Les Mis star, comes home
Glad to share beloved role with family and friends, says West End favourite
Though best known for star turns in The Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies, Ramin Karimloo has returned home to Toronto in an anticipated new stage production of Les Misérables.
Born in Tehran and raised in Peterborough and Richmond Hill, Ont., the Iranian-Canadian actor has won acclaim and become a favourite performer in London's West End after appearing in musicals such as Phantom and Les Mis.
Now based in London, the 35-year-old says he's reconnected with family and childhood friends back in Toronto thanks to his lead role in Cameron Mackintosh's new Canadian staging of the iconic Boublil and Schonberg's musical.
"Home is an ongoing struggle in my head. I say home is wherever my kids are and they’re not here, but this is where a lot of my roots are. I’m finding my way around again," he told CBC News.
"I’m just excited to be in Les Mis again. I love this part. I’m just glad to be close to family and friends that I haven’t seen in a long time and who I can share this with."
In the attached video, Karimloo talks about his acting and musical influences, shares the significance of his striking sleeve tattoo and discusses the idea of "home."
Tune in to The National tonight for Deana Sumanac's in-depth report on Canadian musical theatre superstar Ramin Karimloo.