For the Auckland performer, it was the "perfect opportunity" to make himself work hard and "get back vocally", after an absence from musical theatre.
It was also a chance to work alongside director Duncan Whiting, who directed the first show Mr Beveridge (43) performed in - the Rotorua Operatic Society's production of Evita in 1990 - and for whom he had "huge" respect.
While he is making his Les Miserables debut, playing Jean Valjean, Mr Beveridge has performed many principal roles in musical theatre.
He was the youngest performer to play the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and was a finalist in the BBC Voice of Musical Theatre in the United Kingdom in 2000 and 2002.
He has collaborated with renowned singers and musicians including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Sir Howard Morrison and Russ Garcia, who arranged music for the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
He has also sung seven national anthems for the All Blacks - spurring them to seven victories - and performed Music of the Night during a televised tribute to Sir Howard in 2008.
Since arriving in Oamaru just over a week ago, Mr Beveridge has been impressed with the "incredibly hard-working" cast.
"The show has got soul and the cast has got soul - and that's why it will work," he said.
Some of the most enjoyable experiences he had had in musical theatre had come while he was performing in shows around New Zealand, because those involved were doing it because they loved it.
Jean Valjean was a demanding, "colossal" role and he had worked hard before joining the Oamaru cast, including going back to his singing teacher.
However, he added he was getting a lot out of his involvement.
The Network Waitaki Season of Les Miserables opens at the Opera House on September 9 and runs until September 18. It is the society's most ambitious production.
Mr Beveridge is "very impressed" with Oamaru's restored Opera House, saying it had been money well spent. It reminded him of West End theatres - while not as big, it was a "beautiful" theatre.
Having studied for a law degree at the University of Otago, he recalled he had probably stopped in Oamaru for the occasional meat pie but it was the first time he had stayed in the town and he planned to explore the town more once the show started.
