Here's her story about Mark McVey:
A familiar story of grace, love and redemption has drawn Huntington native J. Mark McVey back to the road.
McVey is starring as ex-convict Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary national tour of Les Miserables. It's a role McVey has played several times before, including his Broadway debut.
"I didn't expect to go on tour again," McVey said. "But it's one of those shows that if you get the opportunity, you never pass it up. It's a real joy to deliver a message of grace and redemption. It's something that's needed right now. As long as I am able to deliver the message, I couldn't ever let it pass."
The show, which kicked off late last year, has been doing very well, according to McVey.
"It's been breaking box office records and selling out in every city I've been to," he said. "It's great fun to be on such a successful tour."
McVey joined the tour April 15 with his first official opening night in Tempe, Ariz., the first week of June. He signed a contract for six months, but the producers have already asked him for a three-month extension to keep him on the tour until the end of the year.
"If everything goes well, I'll do it as long as I can," McVey said. "This is a very demanding role. I get kicked around quite a bit. Much more than the last production. As long as I can stay healthy I'll be here."
Helping make the tour easier for McVey is that his family is now on the road with him. In fact, his 8-year-old daughter, Kylie, is a member of the cast.
"It's just great fun," he said. "It's a wonderful, wonderful experience. It makes it a real familial situation. (Family) is part of the big decision that has to be made when you go on tour. This takes all that off the table. It really couldn't be better."
Although the tour is keeping McVey very busy, he is working on a number of other projects. The entire family is working on a Christmas album, and they believe they have a record company ready to produce it.
McVey is also working with the gospel quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on a project that will be a combination of southern gospel and Broadway.
"We're choosing all of the sacred music of Broadway," McVey said. "We'll just do them in a four-part or five-part vocal harmony. A more gospel type delivery."
The project will feature songs like "Climb Every Mountain," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" and "Any Dream Will Do."
"It kind of melds two smaller groups of fans," McVey said. "It makes for a wonderful project."
McVey said three songs have already been recorded, and they are currently trying to sell the project as a concert idea. They hope to have something released by the first of the year.
"It's a true gift to do what you love and use the gifts God gave you to make a living," he said.
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