The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

When nice guys visit Van Wert

Although I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, it just won’t leave my mind. One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is to meet artists and performers who are sometimes world-renown and yet you find out are just like you and me.  Case in point: J. Mark McVey.

This past Saturday night, the Niswonger hosted “Inspiration of Broadway.”  It featured Ernie Haase & Signature Sound as well as Mr. McVey. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is one of the most dynamic and well known of the contemporary Southern Gospel Music quartets. Mark McVey, on the other hand, has made his mark in the entertainment world through Broadway.  Although he has performed many roles in Broadway shows, the one he is most known for is Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.  He performed 3,268 times as the lead in this blockbuster show.

Until I heard Mark with Signature Sound this past Saturday, I felt this was an awkward marriage of two artists and artistic styles: Southern Gospel and Broadway.  For those fortunate enough to hear the concert this past Saturday, I think we all became believers. And this leads me into J. Mark McVey.  Mark is a believer on many fronts.

After so much success on “The Great White Way,” one might think McVey would be caught up in himself and his gifted abilities. To the contrary, I found Mark to be very personable and very approachable.  His father and a family friend traveled from Charleston, West Virginia, Mark’s hometown, to see his son perform at the Niswonger. After visiting with them for a while, we ended up sharing a post-concert meal at our local Bob Evans Restaurant, which by the way is now staying open late for our concert nights.

Here we were, eating and talking about music, entertainment, and life with Jean Valjean and his father in Bob Evans Restaurant.  After sharing stories, one thing led to another and this guy who has shared the stage and TV with some of the biggest stars of today, agreed to come to church the next morning and even sing for our congregation.  The Inspiration of Broadway was coming to First United Methodist to share in music and message.

Mark explained to my wife and me that he had found Christ through his experience of performing the lead role in Les Miserables 3,268 times.  I can only imagine that one would become that person after so many performances. He explained that the message of Les Miserables is one of love and redemption, and one that spoke deeply to his spirit.  He now loves to sing and share his testimony in churches whenever he can. It was obvious that he also just loves to worship, as he was an active worshipper in our service.  What an inspiration he was to those attending First United Methodist Church!  What an inspiration he was for those attending the Niswonger on Saturday night! His signature song, “Bring Him Home” was absolutely entrancing and emotional, especially for those familiar with the story of Les Miserables.

It is always a pleasure to get to meet performers who are nice people. It was a pleasure and an honor to get to know the real person behind Jean Valjean. Nice people do finish first!  And in my book, J. Mark McVey is first-rate in many ways.

FINÉ.

POSTED: 10/21/14 at 11:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News