After several very successful runs as Jean Valjean on Broadway, actor Ivan Rutherford came home to Connecticut to survey the vista of “What’s next.” There were prospects, but none that compelled him. He was happy to be home.

Then the 2004 National tour of “Les Miserables” offered the role of Gavroche to Ivan’s 11-year-old son Alex, and the world was entirely reinvented by the Rutherford family.

Ivan Rutherford, left, and his son Alex, 11, pose in front of the poster advertising their tour of LES MISERABLES. The pair has been on the road with the show for several months now, and both look forward to some quality time home in Connecticut.

Ivan Rutherford, as Courfeyrac, and son Christopher Rutherford, as Gavroche, hang together during a road performance of the 2004 "Les Miserables" tour.

Photos by Ivan Rutherford, Sr.

Alex, the oldest of Ivan and wife Heather‘s three children, was already a veteran actor, having played the part of Chip in the Broadway production of “Beauty and The Beast.” But Ivan and Heather didn’t want Alex out on tour alone, so Ivan decided to turn Alex’s opportunity into a chance to affect a serious bond between himself and his son.

Though the part of Jean Valjean had already been cast, Ivan offered to come aboard as one of the understudies and to play the supporting role of Courfeyrac. That way, he was able to be on tour with the Alex.

I caught up with the Rutherfords in Pittsburgh in the final days of the tour. Ivan sounded tired – the traveling is grueling, and the production schedule is demanding – but ecstatic. “What a great time! Standing next to him onstage and seeing the look in his eyes...he's the real deal.”

Ivan is entirely devoted to his family. It was, in fact, because of his family that he and Heather chose Connecticut as their home. Ivan explains, “We started in Manhattan because I was hired to do the Broadway company of “Les Miz” in 1996. We gradually migrated north to Westchester County, then to Stamford and eventually Fairfield. We all love the city, but we knew we wanted the suburban life. Property taxes were lower in CT, it was near the sound with beautiful beaches...great schools. Overall, a great place to raise a family.”

Ivan’s and Alex’s work life takes its toll on the whole family. “Traveling is fun but now that my two younger children Chase, 6 and Ava, 4, are in school, it's not possible to bring them along as we did in the past. It's tough on the family but everyone understands what our lifestyle brings.”

The Rutherfords have learned to cope. Technology helps. Ivan continues, “As long as we stay in constant contact we all seem to cope. We use a web cam to talk at night so I can see their new shoes or help them with their homework.”

Other adjustments have helped Ivan expand his professional horizons. He says, “Ava, my daughter is used to me singing to her at bedtime so I created a cd for her of her favorite songs. It’s called ‘A Time to Grow,’ and I’m really proud of the work on it.”

After the tour closed on the 17^th of January, Ivan and Alex returned home to Connecticut.

Ivan will recommence his vocal coaching practice and will likely return to “Frankenstein, the Musical,” a project on which he has been collaborating with Writer Gary P. Cohen, Producer/Writer Jeff Jackson and Composer Mark Baron. Alex will go back to school, until the next role presents itself to him.

Alex has been performing since he was a small boy. Just turned 11, Alex has already accrued an impressive resume. He was cast in the national tour as well as the Broadway company of Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast” and worked with Christie Carlson Ramano from the Disney Channel's “Even Stevens” and “Kim Possible.” Though the boy is a Newport Beach, California, native, Alex enjoys the opportunities Connecticut offers to bike, to swim, to surf and take advantage of the New York City scene. If only the Northeast were sunnier, he claims, his life would be perfect.

Both Alex and Ivan are having the time of their lives, and whatever the next move is, they will meet it with enthusiasm. For the moment, they will enjoy the time to reacquaint themselves with friends and family in Connecticut, but the next challenge will be most welcome.

“I love the whole thing,” effuses Ivan Rutherford. “Telling a story, experiencing the material in real time. What a thrill for me – as performer, as father. I love it all.”

If you would like to learn more about Ivan’s work as a voice coach or to purchase his cd “A Time to Grow”, you can visit www.ivanrutherford.com.

Carla Stockton is an independent film writer/producer, a partner in Bagel Fish Productions, and Associate Publisher of IMAGINE, Southwestern Connecticut. You can email her: carlaatimagine@yahoo.com