To
find out why "Les Miserables' has been an International hit for over 25
years head to the Broward Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale
between now and January 30th to see a first rate production.

“Les
Miserables”, a musical based on the Victor Hugo classic, opened in
London on October 8, 1985 and was still playing there in 2010 where it
gave its ten-thousandth performance.  It opened on Broadway in March
1987 running for 16 years. In 2010 a new production was put together
with new sets, costumes, directions and orchestrations to celebrate the
25th anniversary of the London opening and that new production opened
Tuesday in South Florida.

The new, some
massive, sets include effective back wall projections of which one in
particular, escaping through the sewers of Paris, adds realism. With a
16 piece live orchestra--what a difference live music makes, and adds to
a performance, from recorded music!--to a soaring score sung by
powerful voices this show is one of the better touring shows around.

Giving
a synopsis of a over 1,000 page novel turned into a 2 hour and 35
minute show isn't easy but the major points of the classic book are
presented on stage. Along with Jean Valjean, who spent 5 years in prison
for stealing a loaf of bread, and 14 more for trying to escape, we meet
Inspector Javert to whom Valjean is eventually released to on parole
and we follow the two men as their paths keep crossing affecting one
another, changing their  lives. Along the way there is an ensemble made
up of prostitutes, factory workers, thieves and student rebels
struggling for redemption and the uprising that will take place. 

As
the story unwinds we meet the prostitute Fantine who has an
illegitimate daughter, Cosette, and the innkeeper and his wife who she
pays to take care of the child and who treat her cruelly. Years later we
meet the student Marius who falls in love with Cosette and becomes
involved with the uprising. Valjean, and in some ways Javert, affect the
lives of all involved, sometimes knowingly, other times not.

In a
musical such as “Les Miserables”, which is sung through, though the
production values certainly are important it is the singers voices that
are on display and that the musical will sink or swim. With music by
Claude Michel Schonberg with a French language libretto by Alain Boublil
translated into English with the lyrics of Herbert Kretzmer, the score
has produced a number of hits most notably "I Dreamed A Dream" and
"Bring Him Home". There are songs of hope like "One Day More" and an
anthem, "Do You Hear The People Sing" and a satiric, funny, "Master Of
The House" among others.

The male
voices, whether solo, in duet or ensemble, with one exception, that
being Chasten Harmon as Eponine, are stronger than the females. Each of
the main characters get a solo or two and Lawrence Clayton, as Jean
Valjean, gets sustained applause for his sweet "Bring Him Home" and his
questioning "Who Am I?"  Andrew Varela, as Inspector Javert, commands
the stage in "Stars" and his "Soliloquy". Jeremy Hays, as Enjolras,
leads the company in the rousing first act curtain of "One Day More"
while Justin Scott Brown, as Marius, delivers "Empty Chairs, Empty
Tables" strongly, though a bit too much as a 'star turn'.

As
I mentioned Chasten Harmon is a standout among the women and stops the
show singing, "On My Own". Betsy Morgan, as Fantine, puts across "I
Dreamed A Dream" but blurs many of the words while Jenny Latimer, as
Cosette, fades away whenever there is more than one person on stage and
her voice is barely audible even with a mic.

Michael
Kostroff, as Thenardier, and Shawna M. Hamic, as his wife, don't quite
get all the laughs out of the first act "Master of the House" nor get
the cynicism of "Beggars At The Feast" in the second act.

As
with the male leads the females in the ensemble don't match the males
and are only strong when they are all together and then they knock you
out with their vocals.

By the time the
30+ cast members, including 5 children, take their curtain calls they
get the well earned ovation they worked hard for and deserve.

Act 1  1 hour and 30 minutes  20 minute Intermission  Act 2  1 hour and 5 minutes   Total 2 hour and 55 minutes

Gun shots, strobe lights, smoke

Future tour dates: Baltimore, MD, Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, Omaha, NB--for rest of schedule go to www.lesmiz.com

Future shows at BPAC: "West Side Story" Feb. 15-27, "Wicked" March 30-April 24, "Hair" June 7-19, "Mamma Mia" July 19-24

Future shows at Miami Adrienne Arsht Center: "Jersey Boys" March 2-20, "In The Heights" March 29-April 3, "Hair May 31-June 5