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“Les
Miserables” will be returning to New York a year from now and if they
are really lucky they will be getting the cast that is now performing
across the United States.
Miserables” will be returning to New York a year from now and if they
are really lucky they will be getting the cast that is now performing
across the United States.
My
first experience of seeing “Les Miserables” on stage was 13 years ago
and I remember writing in my private notes, “Beautiful songs--enjoyed
it--glad I saw the show and will certainly recommend it.” Including
last night’s opening performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center For The
Performing Arts I have now seen four different companies plus this past
December/January I saw the movie version four times. Now the songs are
not only beautiful but emotionally moving to the point that during some
of them you will hear sobs throughout the audience, admittedly some are
mine but should a reviewer admit that?
first experience of seeing “Les Miserables” on stage was 13 years ago
and I remember writing in my private notes, “Beautiful songs--enjoyed
it--glad I saw the show and will certainly recommend it.” Including
last night’s opening performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center For The
Performing Arts I have now seen four different companies plus this past
December/January I saw the movie version four times. Now the songs are
not only beautiful but emotionally moving to the point that during some
of them you will hear sobs throughout the audience, admittedly some are
mine but should a reviewer admit that?
Based
on the classic book written by Victor Hugo in 1862 ”Les Miserables”
tells the tale of Jean Valjean. We meet him being released from serving
a 19 year sentence in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and trying to
escape, joining him on his journey to redeeming himself while being
hounded by Inspector Javert who he has been paroled to and eventually
eludes..
on the classic book written by Victor Hugo in 1862 ”Les Miserables”
tells the tale of Jean Valjean. We meet him being released from serving
a 19 year sentence in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and trying to
escape, joining him on his journey to redeeming himself while being
hounded by Inspector Javert who he has been paroled to and eventually
eludes..
As
Valjean makes the lives better of those he meets along the way there is
a background of civil unrest going on which not only affects Valjean
but the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute that he had turned his
back on. Upon the death of the prostitute, Fantine, Valjean takes
Cosette under his wing, promising Fantine he will always protect her
daughter.. Along the way there is an ensemble made up of prostitutes,
factory workers, thieves and, later on, student rebels preparing for the
uprising that will take place. We also meet Eponine who is in love with
Marius who is in love with Cosette. We also become acquainted with a
student rebel, Enjolras, who is the leader of the group.
Valjean makes the lives better of those he meets along the way there is
a background of civil unrest going on which not only affects Valjean
but the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute that he had turned his
back on. Upon the death of the prostitute, Fantine, Valjean takes
Cosette under his wing, promising Fantine he will always protect her
daughter.. Along the way there is an ensemble made up of prostitutes,
factory workers, thieves and, later on, student rebels preparing for the
uprising that will take place. We also meet Eponine who is in love with
Marius who is in love with Cosette. We also become acquainted with a
student rebel, Enjolras, who is the leader of the group.
“Les Miserables” is a sung through musical and the voices of the cast
are of the utmost importance and this cast, from the leads to the
ensemble, give their all and that is excellent. Peter Lockyer played
Marius in the 10th anniversary production on Broadway. Now, 15 years
later, he is Jean Valjean singing, acting and giving full voice to songs
such as “Who Am I?”, his “Soliloquy”, touching you with “Bring Him
Home” and being believable whether as a convict, a Mayor or a father.
His nemesis, Javert, played by Andrew Varela is imposing not only in his
stature but with a full bodied voice that tackles his “Soliloquy”
stunning the audience. The handling of his last scene is theatre magic.
Regarding the ladies of the cast, whether it be Genevieve Leclerc as
Fantine singing “I Dreamed A Dream” or Briana Carlson Goodman as Eponine
belting out “On My Own” or Lauren Wiley as Cosette blending her voice
in “A Heart Full Of Love”, each stands out. Devin Ilaw, as Marius,
makes “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables” a real heartfelt number and Jason
Forbach as Enjolras leads the ensemble in “The People’s Song”, “Do You
Hear The People Sing” and later, in the finale “One Day More” in a voice
that soars over the audience.
are of the utmost importance and this cast, from the leads to the
ensemble, give their all and that is excellent. Peter Lockyer played
Marius in the 10th anniversary production on Broadway. Now, 15 years
later, he is Jean Valjean singing, acting and giving full voice to songs
such as “Who Am I?”, his “Soliloquy”, touching you with “Bring Him
Home” and being believable whether as a convict, a Mayor or a father.
His nemesis, Javert, played by Andrew Varela is imposing not only in his
stature but with a full bodied voice that tackles his “Soliloquy”
stunning the audience. The handling of his last scene is theatre magic.
Regarding the ladies of the cast, whether it be Genevieve Leclerc as
Fantine singing “I Dreamed A Dream” or Briana Carlson Goodman as Eponine
belting out “On My Own” or Lauren Wiley as Cosette blending her voice
in “A Heart Full Of Love”, each stands out. Devin Ilaw, as Marius,
makes “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables” a real heartfelt number and Jason
Forbach as Enjolras leads the ensemble in “The People’s Song”, “Do You
Hear The People Sing” and later, in the finale “One Day More” in a voice
that soars over the audience.
The
only false note in this production, and has been since the show debuted
28 years ago, is the barricade scene which doesn’t work theatrically or
realistically. There were a few minor technical mistakes but this was
their first performance in the Arsht Center.
only false note in this production, and has been since the show debuted
28 years ago, is the barricade scene which doesn’t work theatrically or
realistically. There were a few minor technical mistakes but this was
their first performance in the Arsht Center.
New York, Miami, this is THE cast to see!
Production
credits: Producer Cameron Mackintosh, Book and Music Claude-Michel
Schonberg, Author/Dramatist Alain Boublil, Lyricist Herbert Kretzmer,
Adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Cairo, U.S. Directors James Powell
and Lawrence Connor, Costume designer Andreane Neofitou,
Orchestrations by John Cameron, Scenic and Image designer Matt Kinley,
Lighting designer Paule Constable, Sound Designer Mick Potter, Musical
staging Michael Ashcroft, Musical director Lawrence Goldberg
credits: Producer Cameron Mackintosh, Book and Music Claude-Michel
Schonberg, Author/Dramatist Alain Boublil, Lyricist Herbert Kretzmer,
Adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Cairo, U.S. Directors James Powell
and Lawrence Connor, Costume designer Andreane Neofitou,
Orchestrations by John Cameron, Scenic and Image designer Matt Kinley,
Lighting designer Paule Constable, Sound Designer Mick Potter, Musical
staging Michael Ashcroft, Musical director Lawrence Goldberg
Act
1 1 hour and 28 minutes Intermission 17 minutes Act 2 1 hour and 5
minutes Total 2 hours and 50 minutes Gunshots, strobe lights, smoke
1 1 hour and 28 minutes Intermission 17 minutes Act 2 1 hour and 5
minutes Total 2 hours and 50 minutes Gunshots, strobe lights, smoke
Next tour stops are Saratoga and Fort Myers Florida
Scheduled to open in New York March 2014
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After finding out the world didn't end if I didn't blog every day I am cuting back--I have about 5-6
drafts saved which I will post and get out of the 'to be posted'
list--I want to clean up my 8-9 blog sites because I really don't need
to post those many blogs! :O)
drafts saved which I will post and get out of the 'to be posted'
list--I want to clean up my 8-9 blog sites because I really don't need
to post those many blogs! :O)