Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
CompletlyNakedStatue
Stand-by Joined: 5/14/06
#1Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 6:48pm
Saw Les Miz with Lea on Wednesday night, my first time seeing the new "revival" production. I will preface my review by saying I worked at the Imperial Theatre for a few years while Les Miz was playing there, and I've probably seen the show upwards of 100 times. Here are my thoughts on the current production at the Broadhurst:
ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI (Jean Valjean) was absolutely one of the best I've seen in this role. Jean Valjean is such an epic role, I think I lot of actors just try to sing the crap out of it and make it as broad and sweeping and epic as possible. Gemignani avoided this trap, making is Valjean one of the most human I have seen. He chose to honor the text and the story, make interesting and specific acting choices and finally, when appropriate, let his voice soar. His chemistry with Lea Salonga and Ali Ewoldt (as Fantine and Cosette, respectively) was spot-on, making his death scene very moving and poigniant. Vocally not the very best I've heard, but still one of my favorite performances in this role.
I didn't find NORM LEWIS (Javert) nearly as engaging as I'd hoped. I've been a fan of his work since I saw him in Side Show, but something about his Javert just didn't read for me. Another reviewer on this board said he'd thought the role of Javert might have gone over Lewis' head a bit, and I actually agree with this. Or perhaps he was just slightly miscast. He was in good voice, as usual, but I didn't find myself interested in him until his suicide soliloquy - which was well-acted. He also sang the "I am reaching but I fall..." bit up the octave which was very interesting (in a good way I think) - I'd never heard it that way before.
LEA SALONGA (Fantine) was breathtakingly beautiful. I confess, I'd never seen her live on stage before, and I've always preferred Frances Ruffelle's take on Eponine to Lea's. But her rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" was among the loveliest I've heard. Her voice is so pure and beautiful and she sings with such ease, it is really something to behold! Her Fantine was less gritty than many I've seen. She seemed like a really sweet, good-hearted, even slightly innocent woman thrust into a very terrible situation, making her demise even more tragic. She had wonderful chemistry with Alex Gemignani in her death scene, which was one of the more stand-out scenes of the show that night. I should also mention that she looked absolutely thrilled to be back on the Broadway stage. She was BEAMING during "One Day More". I was actually fairly indifferent to her before Wednesday evening, but I think I'm officially a fan now!
TESS ADAMS (Young Cosette) wasn't my favorite, that's all I'll say about that. KYLIE LIYA GOLDSTEIN was on as Young Eponine, I wish I had seen it the other way around. (Also Adams looks a lot like a young Celia Keenan-Bolger, while Goldstein more closely resembles Ali Ewoldt.)
JAMES CHIP LEONARD was on as Thenardier. He did well, his vocals were on and he was fine in the role, but greatly upstaged by JENNY GALLOWAY as Mme Thenardier. Truly, that woman is a master of physical comedy. She did the normal Mme Thenardier bits slightly more understated than other actresses I've seen, but she was still very successful with those tried and true jokes. She also added many new things that I've never seen in the show before, including running in while doing an operatic screech when Javert entered after "Look Down" - really funny, guess you had to be there. :)
I believe I saw JACOB LEVINE as Gavroche. I enjoyed him, very spunky and he sang the role well. I didn't like the addition of "Ten Little Bullets" in place of "Little People" though. Didn't work at all for me. In Gavroche's death in the original Broadway production, at least he was reprising a song we'd already heard and identified with Gavroche. "Ten Little Bullets" came out of nowhere and didn't last long enough to make much sense.
CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER as Eponine. I don't know where to start with this. When I was a teenager I was one of those Eponine groupies, and I remain very particular about this role to this day. Having said that, as Eponine, Celia was... puzzling. I liked that she chose to play her gawky, tomboyish, the opposite of cute, a true street rat. That is so much truer to the book than the glamourized, cute version that so many actresses choose, especially in more recent years. Some of Celia's acting seemed a little unnatural and over the top at times, but overall I liked her interpretation of the character. Her vocals were another story. (I cannot even believe I just wrote that because I have been awed by her voice pretty much every other time I've heard it.) She was very hard to listen to in this role. Her "On My Own" was alright (probably her strongest vocal moment, but that's not saying much), but everything else lacked depth and power, sometimes I could barely hear her, her vowels sounded bizarre... it was just... odd. Literally unpleasant to listen to. Maybe she was sick? That's the only explanation I can think of. I saw the show with a bunch of people who had seen her in Spelling Bee, and they were also really surprised by how she sounded in this role. I walked by the theatre a few days later and noticed that Marissa McGowan would be going on that evening, so I'm guessing she was just ill. Hope so.
ALI EWOLDT was a very endearing Cosette. Good actress, very pretty girl and she made the relationship between Cosette and Valjean very real to me. Her voice was pretty, but thin. She also sang above the pitch A LOT, which would bother some people more than others I guess. She also cracked on the high C in the "Heart Full of Love" reprise. I'm not saying it's easy to softly float your voice up to a high C, but this is Broadway show... ?? Yay for her acting, she looked beautiful, but not crazy about the singing.
I was disappointed with ADAM JACOBS as Marius. I found myself thinking "Is this the best they could get?" a lot during the Marius-Cosette-Eponine sections of the show. I found myself thinking "Are all the good young pop voices in Wicked?" He seemed like just a pretty face, a decent voice, not a lot going on behind the eyes. Granted, maybe that's what Marius IS, but... I've seen a lot better.
NEHAL JOSHI was on as Enjolras. The man clearly has the vocal chops to sing the role. However, he didn't have Enjolras's usual commanding presence and he seemed to disappear on stage. It occurred to me that this might have been one of his first times on in this role, and he did a formidable job, but I wish I'd seen Aaron Lazar.
I found the ensemble to be very hit and miss. There are some really good voices (fantastic ensemble sound on the big numbers) and some nice moments, but there were also some very amatuer-ish acting moments that made me cringe.
I really disliked most of the new orchestrations. I found them underwhelming most of the time, and also distracting at times. One thing I LOVED though was Grantaire playing the guitar in "Drink With Me". It really made something out of an otherwise lackluster filler song. It made the lines "Will the world remember you when you fall...?" etc. very poigniant.
I guess I felt underwhelmed by the show as a whole, and with a few exceptions (Alexander Gemignani, Lea Salonga and Jenny Galloway) I almost have to laugh at the "all-star cast" thing. I'm glad this production wasn't my first experience with Les Miz. It was in pretty tired shape when it closed at the Imperial a few years ago, and it still seems tired to me now.
Updated On: 3/11/07 at 06:48 PM
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#2re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 6:55pm
I've never seen the original production and, after seeing what's playing at the Broadhurst this past November, my instant reaction was "why the hell did that run for 3423623452 years?"
Though I had nobody to compare them to, the cast, as a whole, underwhelmed me a great deal. They all seemed to be playing it safe, save for Daphne Rubin-Vega and Jenny Galloway, who actually gave real, naturalistic performances. The company, as a whole, struck me as one that had been playing the same role on tour for X years and were finally winding down their contracts.
"Tired" was the perfect way to describe them. The problem was that they were just starting.
CompletlyNakedStatue
Stand-by Joined: 5/14/06
#2re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:08pmYankee - Wish you could have seen it in its heyday. It can be a really beautiful show. Unfortunately I haven't seen it like that on Broadway since the 90's.
#3re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:09pm
I was disappointed with ADAM JACOBS as Marius. I found myself thinking "Is this the best they could get?" a lot during the Marius-Cosette-Eponine sections of the show. I found myself thinking "Are all the good young pop voices in Wicked?" He seemed like just a pretty face, a decent voice, not a lot going on behind the eyes. Granted, maybe that's what Marius IS, but... I've seen a lot better.
Agreed! I saw him on tour several times and didn't dislike him, but I don't see the big deal. His Marius wasn't a very sharp tack, either...
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#4re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:18pmI saw Adam Jacobs on tour several times also and totally hated him. I didn't even enjoy his vocals. I was very disappointed when his name was announced for the "revival".
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#5re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:19pmStatue - Same here.
theminutepast
Broadway Star Joined: 2/1/06
#6re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:24pmI've seen four Marii live before, and Jacobs has been the best. Although, I agree that he tends to rely on the dumbfounded look too much. Dan Bogart was the worst, most underdeveloped and least thought out Marius I have seen. Unfortunately, he's currently the u/s at the Broadhurst.
CompletlyNakedStatue
Stand-by Joined: 5/14/06
#7re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:25pm^^ Interesting, I found Dan Bogart to be one of the weak spots in the ensemble, too.
#8re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:29pmI saw Adam on tour and I remember thinking that he was very nasal.
#9re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:31pmAw, I liked Dan Bogart. More than Adam.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Yankgrl46
Understudy Joined: 12/1/04
#10re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:35pm
I attended the 3/7 2:00pm show, and I both agree and disagree with a lot of what you said. I have seen this show over a dozen times dating back to the late 80's and am always enchanted by the music, the passion and the poignant messages it delivers.
One thing to note is I don't nearly remember crying as much as I did during this particular performance. I guess I am just thrilled to have Les Mis back.
Some of my highlights.
Lea- my gosh, she owns every scene she is in. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" was gut wrenching and when she appeared at the end for Valjean's dearg, I was bawling. Her facial expressions and carriage say so much.
Alexander as Valjean- was by far the best in the role that I have ever had the honor of seeing. His acting and understanding of the role has really set the standard. Basically HE GETS IT! I would see it a thousand times over for him.
Norm as Javery- I found different, but not in a bad way. He plays the role with more anger than anyone I have ever seen. Hower Javert's suicide as played by Norm imo was spot on.
Celia as Eponine- this role left me shaking my head more than anyone else. Celia has talent, no doubt, but I don't believe she was the right person for this role. When I think of some of the leads I have seen play this role since the late 80's the one common factor they all had was that you rooted for them. I believe Eponine should be played as someone who is strong, yet vulnerable, yet just once you want to see them win in the end. At least that is my interpretation of the role. With Celia, I was distracted by her expressions and her voice seemed like an incredibly awkward choice for this role.
Nehal as Enjolras- I absolutely adored everything about him. His singing was everything this role should be. He has great stage prescence and power.
CompletlyNakedStatue
Stand-by Joined: 5/14/06
#11re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:41pm
Yankgrl - I think you summed up my feeling about Celia better than I did. You just didn't root for her! She made the role seem almost like a throw-away part. I was rooting for Cosette, all the way. I am a fan of Celia's, but just... not right.
Also, I'm afraid my review sounded like I dislike the show itself and I must say i LOOOOVE this show, and aside from working at the Broadway production, I've seen it many times on tour, in London, and have followed it since the very early 90's. I think we are kindred spirits, and I agree it was WONDERFUL to see this again on Broadway, but I felt sorry for the people who didn't see it "back in the day"... you know?
#12re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 7:50pmIs Gary back?? Any thoughts???
#13re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 8:10pmIt sounds like Celia is playing the part correctly then. You're not supposed to root for Eponine. Feel pity for her sure, but I don't feel bad that she doesn't end up with Marius. And I am defiantly an Eponine girl over Cosette. I’ve seen the Eponine character ruined too many times on tour but making her into this “wah wah” feel sorry for me teeny-bopper type. I realize some people LIKE that interpretation of the character though (which is why Diana Kaarina is so well liked), but I appreciate that Celia isn’t doing that, even though I haven’t seen her, it nice to know that she isn’t turning Eponine into a symbol for unrequited love.
#14re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 8:52pm
Could you elaborate a bit on Alex's 'interesting and specific acting choices'?
:)
gustof777
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/8/04
#15re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 9:18pmthank you Hum!! It was so refreshing to see Celia's rather ballsy interpretation of an Eponine that was never trying to get the audiences pity and was a bit brattish. I loved her interpretation and while I didn't cry for her or anything i UNDERSTOOD why Marius chose Cosette. I loved Celia in this role!
RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~
CompletlyNakedStatue
Stand-by Joined: 5/14/06
#16re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:01pm
Hum and Gustof - I actually did appreciate Celia's choices to make Eponine less of the cute kid sister (I was never a fan of Diana Kaarina's interpretation). It was more the vocals that I didn't care for. And even though I found her approach to the character refreshing, at the end of the day (pun not intended) I was unaffected by it. It wasn't just that I didn't *root* for her, I felt completely and utterly indifferent toward that character. And I think it is the intention of the writers (of the musical, if not the novel) that we feel something toward her, since time was alotted in this 3-hour show for her to have a huge solo and a big death scene.
Updated On: 3/11/07 at 10:01 PM
#17re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:10pmI was really let down by this production. With the exception of Galloway and Lazar nobody really stood out for me. It sounds like Gemignani has gotten beter since I last it, but he was a little inconsistent with the way he played the role. I don't understand why so many people were "entranced" with Norm Lewis' Javert. He was 100% going through the motions when I saw it. And there wasn't any passion or connection with the material from any of the actors. Overall an ill representation of the impact that the original production had due to poor casting and a director (John Caird) who tampered with great material.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/26/05
#18re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:16pmAdd me to the list of people who didn't enjoy Adam Jacobs. I couldn't believe that this was the best that they could get. He's cute, I'll give him that, but he hasn't got much else to him. Seems these days that "cute" denotes talent; which is unfortunate.
theminutepast
Broadway Star Joined: 2/1/06
#19re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:17pmLizzieCurry, what did you like about Bogart? I'm curious because when I saw him as Marius with two other people, we all left thinking he was the weakest performer in the show. He didn't really come across as anything. He didn't act off others and just seemed kind of blank. What did you like about his Marius?
#20re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:27pm
He played Marius like a total jerk, which isn't/wasn't going to win him a lot of fans, but I liked it -- it was well-thought out and made sense. Although, I suppose, like Celia's Eponine (who I haven't seen) it's very atypical. I thought he was cute and charming in his scenes with Cosette, and his reactions to the Thénardiers during the wedding reception were pretty hysterical.
Sorry, I never got the impression that he wasn't acting off anyone or was blank. Just that his eyebrows had a life of their own. 
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#21re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:30pm
I loved his take on the role and thought he had a great set of pipes.
PS Those are the eyebrows Stephanie J. Block needs in The Pirate Queen!
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#22re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:34pm
When I read so many good reviews about how great a Marius Adam Jacobs makes, I almost start to question my own judgement. Thank god there are people out there who hold the same feeling like mine.
Adam Jacobs sucks! He ruined Marius when I saw him in tour. And it seems that he did not improve much on Broadway.
Updated On: 3/11/07 at 10:34 PM
#23re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:35pm
I like how you pop up like The Old Faithful O' Hate when it comes to Adam, but never actually say why you didn't like him...
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#24re: Rather in-depth Les Miz 3-7 review. (Lea Salonga, etc.)
Posted: 3/11/07 at 10:37pmI post a long and detailed review on cafemusain. and I think I post it here as well. so, your accusation is not correct.
