“Les Mis’erables”

[rating=5] A little over a month ago, Jane and I went up to Milwaukee to see what is called “the world’s greatest play“, “Les Mis’erables”, Boublil and Schonberg’s musical version of the same title written by Victor Hugo. It was a sterling production that I highly recommended. Little did I know that the touring company that landed in Chicago as part of the Broadway In Chicago season would out-do this production. I did not think it possible! It was and is!

This is a powerful show and as I have noticed over the years that we have enjoyed the experience of watching this story, this is a play that has been re-invented time and time again , and yet, keeps the story alive with new audiences, both young and old feeling the heart and soul of Hugo’s original story about a man who was imprisoned for a simple theft of food to feed his family, and when he leaves prison, changes his life forever, while the man who put him prison continues to haunt him for his past.

The story also deals with the revolution in France during the period and introduces us to many characters who teach us about the survival of the human spirit in times that are very down.

While the production has had some changes, they are all minor and from what I saw tonight, all well done and all adding something to the production. The music is amazing! The show is far more an opera than a musical as it is all sung. The voices that have bene assembled for this production are powerful and at tonight’s opening, I truly thought we were going go see several standing ovations to show the performers just how appreciated they were. There might have been three or four “show-stopping” moments, that were very close.

The set (Matt Kinley) is as close as one can get to the original set, and if you think about a “road company”, this set has to be redesigned to fit each venue, so this is even more remarkable. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor and has some new changes that make the show even stronger. The new orchestrations ( Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker) are terrific and the projections make certain scenes stand out. The ensemble is sterling in every way and Jean Valjean, our hero is played to perfection by Nick Cartell. His vocal range is more than amazing and his handling of “Bring Him Home” is breathtaking. The villain, Javert is also played by a powerful actor. Preston Truman Boyd has the depth of this character down pat and his “Stars” is as beautiful as I have ever heard this number. When he does  his “Soliloquy” in Act Two, you will not only see his range, but will see an astounding production piece ( one that will stay with you even after the play is over). These two men are tremendous in their roles and the interaction between them is very real

Madame Thenardier (Christina Rose Hall) and her husband , “The Master of The House”, Thenardier (Matt Crowle, a very local guy who has moved on to bigger and better things) are the comic characters and they handle their roles better than any others I have seen. I think the new “shtick” added something to their performances, but to be honest, a lot was their ability to work an audience to perfection. I say it is worth the ticket just to watch their scenes. Welcome Home Matt!

The ensemble is terrific and play a multitude of roles, making it seem that the cast is as many as 100 players. During the curtain call, we realize that the ensemble members change characters and costumes ( (Andreane Neofitou) on a regular basis. The lighting (Paul Constable) and sound (Mick Potter) are perfect and the orchestra conducted by Brian Eads is right on!

The children in the cast are double cast, in order to keep them from overworking, but they are double cast allowing them to play smaller parts when they are not doing their major role. Little Cosette and young Eponime are played alternately by Cora Jane Messer and Hazel Vogel. The role of Gavroche and Petit Gervais are likewise played by Harrison Fox and Gabriel Lafazan.

The adult Cosette is portrayed by Addie Morales and the adult Eponine by Christine Heesun Hwang. Her “On MY Own” rocked! The young love interest is one Marius (brilliantly played by Gregory Lee Rodriguez). He falls for Cosette while Eponine falls for him creating a love triangle that adds a great deal to the story. Watching their relationship(s) grow and change are major to the plot.

Haley Dortch is a wonderful Fantine and while she is only with us for a short time in the story, her character is one of great import.

The other major role is that of one of the students, Enjolras, the leader along with Marius of the revolt to the French Government. He is played to perfection by Devin Archer. With his leadership we get to see one of the greatest bits of choreography on a stage “Do You Hear The People Sing”- this also comes up in “One Day More” the closing song for Act One.

If you can only see one play this season, make it this one. Even if you have seen other productions over the years, this one is worth it!

“Les Mis’erables” will continue thru March 5th  with

Performances  as follows: