Les Miserables- Milwaukee 2025

[rating=5] My granddaughter, Sarah, a lover of theater, had never seen Les Miz. When I found out that my Milwaukee reviewer was unable to attend the opening night at The Marcus Center for Performing Arts, I requested a third ticket and prepared her for the long day ( after a day of high school and poms practice) . Jane and I have seen the show 15 times at least, and as I always say, every production ( or even performance) is new and exciting and very different than the others, so we enjoyed our corned beef sandwiches, hopped on the toll road and made our way to Milwaukee.

Getting there was a snap and the beauty of the Marcus Center is that there is a public garage ( $20) right next door with a walkway ( enclosed) that takes you right into the building. We parked, entered the theater, used the facilities, bought some beverages and snacks, took our seats, and watched two hours- fifty-five minutes of the newly staged ( direction by Laurence Connor and James Powell) and reimagined sets (Matt Kinley inspired by Hugo’s paintings) with a full house that were up on their feet in recognition of this masterpiece getting even better! The stage seemed smaller than others on which I have seen this show, but somehow, with this cast ( who will hit Chicago in 2026) it was “special”.

Based on the work of Victor Hugo, “Les Miz” is the work of Claude-Michel Schonberg (music) and Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics) with a book by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel that details the story of Jean Valjean ( an incredible performance by Nick Cartwell, who we have seen before ), who was imprisoned for stealing food to save his family and is being paroled. The play then goes on to show his life and the good that he does while at the same time, his jailer, Javert ( deftly handled by Nick Rehberger) keeps seeking him, not recognizing that a man can change.

This is a story of broken dreams, love, both unrequited and redemptive, passion, sacrifice and of most importance, the survival of the human spirit. Valjean meets one of his employees, Fantene ( the lovely Lindsay Heather Pearce)) who as it turns out is dying and has a daughter who is being cared for by others. The “others” are the dark, yet comical Innkeeper ( Matt Crowe is a stitch) and his wife ( Victoria Huston-Elem is hysterical) who as it turns out are money-grubbing villains. Valjean “buys” Cosette ( played by Lillian Castner and Kayla Scola-Giampapa, who alternate in also playing  the Innkeeper’s daughter Eponine ) and takes her on his journey of a better life.

Later the girls are played by  Alexa Lopez (Cosette) and Jaedynn Latter ( a powerful Eponine, who dazzles us with “On My Own” and other numbers). Remember, this is a musical that is sung from start to finish with musical numbers that are powerful in great retelling of the story that Hugo wrote. By the way, the new projections that are used in doing so are all based on the original drawings by Hugo himself, and the turntable has been removed from the set so we see a different look at an old classic. I loved the new look!

The revolution is done a little differently without the turntable and worked to perfection. Marius (Peter Neureuther) and Enjoiras ( an amazing Christian Mark Gibbs) along with the other students raised their flag , as always, and fought their battle as we heard songs such as “Drink With Me”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” and “The People Song”. Cartwell’s “Bring Him Home” is a magnificent rendition and brought a tear to my eye ( so bring tissues) and Javert’s “Soliloquy” and its new staging is amazing!

Little Cosette’s “Castle on a Cloud” is as chilling as ever showing the dreamer in all of us and “I Dreamed A Dream” is enchantingly done by Heather-Pearce. Gavroche ( the little boy who steals his scenes) is played to perfection by Rocco Van Auken( and alternates with Cree-Silver Corley). The ensemble of players, taking on many costume and character changes is the key to it all working as well as it does. If you have seen “Lez Miz” before, you will find the new production a delight to watch. If you have never witnessed this masterpiece, might I suggest you hop up to Milwaukee for this one. I know there is only one week, so if you cannot fit it in right now, this touring company will be here May 12th thru May 24th at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

“Les Mis” will only continue thru the 2nd with perfromaqnces as follows:

Tonight  7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Friday         7:30 p.m.

Saturday   2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday     1:00 p.m.

For tickets call 414-273-7121 or visit www.marcuscenter.org

The Marcus Performing Arts Center is located at 929 Water Street  (in the heart of downtown) with plenty of parking and dining nearby.

The drive home was long, but priceless because my granddaughter has seen “Les Miz” at last and a wonderful production worth the drive.