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Guy LeMonnier
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Li'l Abner Rockford native Guy LeMonnier led the cast as the hunky
hillbilly Abner, who'd druther fish than get hitched to Daisy Mae. Though his
baritone is as strong as his physique, the highlight of LeMonnier's performance
was his comic expressions, especially his wide-eyed cluelessness. Sue
Merrell The Grand Rapids Press June 29, 2005 It would not, however, be "Li'l Abner" without the perfect leading man. This is not to say that Guy LeMonnier is Abner-dumb, but that he is smart enough and talented enough to create the wide-eyed, America-loving, innocent believably, walking the slim line between naive and stupid with classically comical ease. His flexible features say it all. Last season, LeMonnier was Gaston in The Barn's "Beauty and The Beast" and they have a real gem in this Rockford, Mich., native. He sings as befits a leading man and, aided by Abner's traditional well-fitting overalls and mile-high black wig, is every stalwart inch the object of Daisy Mae's unwavering devotion. And his comic timing doesn't hurt, either. Marcia Fulmer The Truth June 30, 2005
Beauty and The Beast Guy LeMonnier brings a huge presence to the role of Gaston, the village's handsome hunter who has his eyes set on Belle. As he struts around the Barn stage, the character is full of himself, and his bass voice fills the entire theater. Some of the show's best physical comedy moments are between LeMonnier and Roy Brown, Gaston's sidekick, LeFou. And, speaking of Gaston, the beer stein dance portion of his song is alone worth the price of admission. Lamont Clegg Lansing State Journal August 4, 2004 LeMonnier nearly steals the show as Gaston. He's over-the-top hilarious as the muscle-bound blowhard, and he would overshadow the others if they were not as equally talented. Chris Tower Battle Creek Enquirer August 5, 2004 Former Rockford actor Guy LeMonnier is picture-perfect as the arrogant Gaston, complete with a cartoon-black wig and real-life "biceps to spare." His strong baritone commands the stage in several numbers and blends well with Roy Brown, who does an excellent job as his sniveling sidekick, LeFou. LeMonnier and Brown have lots of funny business, with LeMonnier constantly knocking over the much smaller Brown and, at one point, tucking him under one arm and carrying him off stage. Sue Merrell Grand Rapids Press August 4 Guest artist Guy LeMonnier, as the arrogant, handsome Gaston, nearly takes command of the show. He's tall, broad-shouldered and possesses a first rate singing voice. C.J. Giankaris Kalamazoo Gazette August 4, 2004 But the character who creates his own energy and steals the spotlight every moment on stage is the monstrously ego-centric villain of the piece, Gaston, as played to the hilt by guest artist Guy LeMonnier. In addition to a powerful baritone, LeMonnier has the swagger, the bravado, the muscles and the lacquered "do" of Gaston's animation counterpart and when he grins, you really expect his teeth to twinkle! Whether over-selling himself to Belle as a potential husband ("Me"), accepting the fawning accolades of his sidekick LeFou (played with perfect obsequiousness -- and a strong head -- by Roy Brown) and the villagers ("Gaston") or plotting with the local asylum keeper (a suitably slimy Eric Peterson) to force Belle into matrimony by incarcerating her father ("Maison des Lunes"), LeMonnier is definitely the bad guy you love to hate. It would be nice to see him back as a leading man. Marcia Fulmer Elkhart Truth August 5, 2004
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve & Other Stories Review On the third number of the night, LeMonnier was called upon to sing "An Angel Came Down," from TSO's "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" album. The song set up the plot of the entire first half of TSO's Wednesday night concert. If that wasn't pressure enough, the demanding vocals require some serious chops. LeMonnier was more than up to the challenge. Curt Wozniak The Grand Rapids Press November 29, 2002 Chess Reviews Guy LeMonnier (Molokov) was a newcomer to many. What an impressive mark he made with his somber baritone voice! Pati Buehler Talkin Broadway August 12, 2001 Guy
LeMonnier(Molokov)-Hearing him sing tonight makes
me wish I had seen him in the Non-Equity tour of
J&H. This guy has one heck of set of pipes on
him and while many of my fave Molokov moments were
not in the concert he did a marvelous job with
what he had. Anatoly & Molokov-Love this
song and Rob Evan and Guy both have such amazing,
solid voices that suited each other perfectly.
Knowing they've both played Jekyll/Hyde it was
interesting seeing them sing together. Model
of Decorum-The voices hear didn't blend as nicely
as I've heard them on other recordings but all
four singers sounded fine on their solo
parts. All in all I had a great time and
only wish I can see the show performed again live
very soon. I think with the right creative team
and cast it has more then a fair show of succeeding
on Broadway and as this seems to be the wish of
many people I hope to see it come true in the very
near future. Christy Davis
August 15, 2001 "In the dual role, Guy LeMonnier astounds. His singing voice, and his dynamic physicality as one character over-takes another; are without fail. Even when Hyde's antics are at their most ridiculous-and believe me, they do get ridiculous-LeMonnier is so committed to the role that the viewer can't help but ride along with him." Julie York Coppens Tribune April 21, 2001 "Guy LeMonnier's performance is nearly a tour de force. He can sing, evidently for days and at the top of his lungs. He has a compelling stage presence: powerful, supple, erotic - in short, just what this two-headed character needs. Make no mistake - this man has a wealth of talent. This role certainly allows him to demonstrate a lot of it." Paul Lamar The Daily Gazette April 11, 2001 "What Lyricist Bricusse has retained is the notion that Jekyll and Hyde is one person, brilliantly played here by Guy LeMonnier. In one song, "Confrontation," LeMonnier switches personalities as he sings alternate lines - one personality strong and vigorous, the other bent and monstrous - a tour de force that LeMonnier brings off so well" Jack Neal Nevada Events March 31, 2001 "What there is, and in abundance, is talent. Guy LeMonnier is the perfect split personality, never more so than in "Confrontation," a song that pits his personas against each other." Kyle Lawson The Arizona Republic March 16, 2001 "Jekyll and Hyde tale poses a problem for actors. Tackle the dual lead roles and you must figure out how to be convincingly good one minute, monstrously evil the next , and still retain a firm grip on the audience sympathy. Guy LeMonnier accomplishes this feat with amazing power. LeMonnier's performance reaches down so deeply into the psyche of a split personality that he seems to be ripping apart from his own skin. There's love, hate, spirituality and sexual drive all mixed together in the character he creates. His body language -- from proper aristocrat to ape-like madman -- is unforgettable. Tunes in a book musical often seemed artificially tacked on, but LeMonnier's interpretations make them a seamless extension of his actions and dialogue. Early songs, such as "I Need To Know" and "Lost in the Darkness," vividly establish his desire to understand contradictory human drive. His show-stopper, "This Is the Moment," is electrifying. LeMonnier gives audiences a chance to see a towering, truly mesmerizing performance." Joel Hirschhorn Thousand Oaks March 9, 2001 "What really makes this production work are the strong performances and show-stopping, from-the-guts singing. the cast is excellently led by Guy LeMonnier as Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde. LeMonnier, a mesmerizing tenor, throw everything into the role. He's analytical and self-sacrificing on the outside, tortured and self-involved on the inside as the reasonable Dr. Jekyll. When he transforms into Hyde, his darker self, the beast is unleashed and LeMonnier lets his hair down - literally. His long hair becomes an integral part of the character. It's amazing sometimes how fast he can secure it back into a ponytail." Dana Oland The Idaho Statesman February 20, 2001 "Guy LeMonnier does a fine job of vocally differentiating his characters. Jekyll sounds refined and charming, while Hyde is gravelly and somewhat frightening." Chip Chandler Globe-News February 8, 2001 "Guy LeMonnier's athleticism and vocal command in the Jekyll/Hyde lead role anchored a production that was captivating even from Row W. I particularly appreciated the clean enunciation throughout the evening. LeMonnier makes the sadistic Hyde both menacing and, for a moment, amusing. LeMonnier performs with admirable stamina." Robert Smith Delta Democrat Times February 4, 2001 "The drastic swings in character, Guy LeMonnier, pulls off make any mood swing you've ever had suddenly seem like the temperature difference between lukewarm and tepid. LeMonnier also does an excellent job as Jekyll/Hyde. There is one scene in particular, near the end in a number called "Confrontation" that LeMonnier is really incredible, switching mid-song between Jekyll and Hyde time and again. It's raw energy laced with talent, and awesome to behold." Lori herring The Clarion-Ledger January 31, 2001 "Guy LeMonnier's superb voice and physicality made the characters of sophisticated Jekyll and animalistic Hyde individually memorable and created the dramatic tension that kept the audience totally involved. The force of his portrayal particularly came through on the show's most famous song, "This Is the Moment," and the penultimate "Confrontation" in which Jekyll and Hyde debate the outcome." Jim Butler Bryan-College Station Eagle January 26, 2001 "Guy LeMonnier is exceptional as Dr. Jekyll, the up-standing young scientist who follows his heart instead of his sensibilities in looking for a way to control the dark side that lives in everyone. However, he's equally as impressive a demonic Edward Hyde. With his long hair hanging in his face, he prowls on his haunches like a wild animal. Even his voice changes alternating between a gruff when he's howling in anger and a menacing whisper when he's close to his prey. The song "confrontation" toward the end of the second act was a highpoint of the production with LeMonnier shifting between the two sides of his personality." Mark Kellam Oakwood Times November 15, 2000 "LeMonnier's portrayal of the internal Jekyll and Hyde conflict is the ultimate crucial factor. The confrontation between his two selves - one with wild hair, hands like meat hooks and body crouched low like a beast, the other an upright, well-groomed man whose hands grasp toward heaven and dwindling hope - is spectacular. It leaves the actor hoarse and physically drained." Terry Morris Dayton Daily News November 9, 2000 "LeMonnier, who hails from Michigan, delivers a demanding performance. His Dr. Jekyll is a light-of-voice-and heart persona, a refined man. But when injected with the experimental drug, his Edward Hyde becomes a growling, menacing, deep-registered voice that has people looking at their programs to see whether there has been a change of actors. No change, as the number "Confrontation" proves toward the end as the two-men-in-one sing a duet in a battle for supremacy within one soul, "Confrontation" is one of the hallmark numbers of the Bricusse/Wildhorn musical, and LeMonnier gives it all in what must be difficult piece of business. The murders are done effectively, bringing "oohs" from the audience as the energetic LeMonnier moves with the quickness of a cheetah." Janet Martineau The Saginaw News November 6, 2000 "As Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, Guy LeMonnier differentiated between the two characters with startling grace, changing body posture, voice and hairstyle in nearly the blink of an eye to transform the benevolent Dr. Jekyll into the evil Mr. Hyde. LeMonnier's acting, particularly in "Confrontation," was a marvel to see." Linda Dimon November 4, 2000 "Michigan native Guy LeMonnier play the demanding role with a fairly balanced mix of genteel pomposity and brutal vulgarity. As Jekyll, he is appropriately stuffy and self-absorbed, but his Hyde portrayal becomes interesting as he evolves from the upright doctor to a crouching, gravel-voiced creep. Perhaps his best vocal comes early in the action when he injects himself with his concoction and sings the beautiful "This Is the Moment."" Kathleen Kirby The Flint Journal October 27, 2000 "Guy LeMonnier pulled off the Herculean task of singing an extremely wide vocal range almost constantly throughout the evening." Derek Donovan The Kansas City Star October 11, 2000 "Most importantly, a strong cast from top to bottom delivered their lines with vitality and convincing emotion, particularly Guy LeMonnier in the all-important dual lead role. Few, if any, musicals rely more on the skills of one person than Jekyll & Hyde, and the 24-year old LeMonnier, with his soaring baritone voice, was brilliant in giving depth to both sides of his character. The remarkably balanced portrayal made each side believable, and the inner torment more convincing, as Jekyll's well-intentioned research goes awry and creates the monstrous alter ego he calls Hyde. LeMonnier gave a rousing solo performance on the play's pivotal tune, "This Is the Moment," when he decides to go ahead with his experiment even if he has to be his own guinea pig. His transformation after injecting himself with the potion is stunning as Jekyll goes in convulsions and literally lets down his hair, assumes a primal crouch, and begins speaking in a guttural tone." David Yonke Toledo Blade October 7, 2000 "As Jekyll, the robust John Travolta look alike of Guy LeMonnier provided a booming and clear resonance, and brought the audience to its feet after the show's signature song, "This Is The Moment." Cheryl Caswell Charleston Daily October 5, 2000 "Guy LeMonnier could scarcely have overacted such a dual title role of self-induced schizophrenia, motivated by the noblest of reasons. Rather,; it was a question of stamina, intensity and excellent vocal techniques, and LeMonnier's Jekyll/Hyde displayed all those, and more." Pat Hendricks The Charlestown Gazette October 5, 2000 "Also impressive was Guy LeMonnier, playing both Jekyll and Hyde. The role is one of the most difficult in the recent memory of musical theater. Not only is he faced with the difficulty of playing two characters, he must actually transform onstage, completely altering not only speech and mood, but even his physical performance. This is especially evident in the song "Confrontation," where the two characters fight with each other for the control of the body they share." Matt Holsapple The Exponent September 22, 2000 "With his powerful voice and his expressive portrayal, Guy LeMonnier made an impressive transformation from the upright, idealistic Jekyll to the hunched, apish brute Hyde. When this guy lets his hair down, look out. His performance of "This Is The Moment" was a testament of earnest idealism about to turn into obsessive folly." Roger McBain Evansville Courier & Press September 20, 2000 "Plaudits to Guy LeMonnier. His performance is nearly a one-man show. He is on stage virtually the entire two and a half hours. He begins as a gentle subdued Henry Jekyll and manages to transform into the villainous, evil, yet charismatic Edward Hyde before your very eyes. He is most effective and has a pleasant voice." Diane Sprung The Post and Courier September 16, 2000 |