Les Miserables at Garland Civic Theatre

[aaronmorris]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 6:12pm

Performance Reviewed: 7/25/2009

I recently had the extreme pleasure of seeing Garland Civic Theatres Children on Stage production of Les Miserables. I was very hesitant going into the show, as it was very hard for me to comprehend how children would be able to pull of such complex music, and if they were able to do that, how they would be able to grasp such difficult issues that Les Miserables deals with: death, prostitution, child labor, social classes, parental desertion, and French society in the 19th century. To my complete and utter surprise, the cast not only handled these topics with complete maturity, but with sheer beauty, brilliance, and finesse not expected in Childrens Theatre.

Director Clayton Younkin has done such a wonderful job creating the perfect balance of despair and hope that this show needs, and has been (in my opinion) lost over the course of this musicals life-span. Mr. Younkin, who also choreographed the show, has given the entire staging a complete make over, making it exciting for younger audiences yet has added such beautiful moments, symbolizing specific moments in the show and bringing them to a poignant climax, and giving them a brand new meaning. The choreography could best be compared to Stomp. It sounds strange, but it actually works for this production. You can actually feel the tension rise as the dancing rages on.

The cast of young adults also brings some fresh new talent in the DFW metroplex to the spotlight. Jean ValJean, played by Cole Ragsdale, is just as beautiful as any other rendition I have ever seen (if not more so). His characterization handles all the issues the character faces with grace and ease. Vocally, he has the perfect balance of letting loose and pulling back, giving the score of his music a wonderful score. You have not heard Bring Him Home until you have heard Mr. Ragsdale.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Javert, played by Alex Gilbert. Gilbert plays this inspector on his relentless search for ValJean, perfectly. I believe this young actor truly understands the fact that Javert is not the villain of this story, and he communicates the inner struggle Javert faces with his opinions of law and duty, with extreme clarity. If you have ever thought Javert was the villain of this story, Mr. Gilbert will make you second guess that accusation.

Secondary characters, Fantine (Carolyn Baker), Enjolras (Kyle Coughlin), Thenardier (Braden Herndon), and Madame Thenardier (Jayci VanCleave) have all done exquisite portrayals of their roles, and all of them command the stage in their own way. My only complaint with the cast is Eponine (portrayed by Alexis Henderson). I feel like she just pails in comparison to the actors. By no means am I saying she is without talent, it is just when you see her alongside the other young actors, you see that she is lacking something that makes this role her own. The only times I felt sympathy for the character is when I see her anguish over Marius (Trey Orman) and Cosette (Emily Hawkins), in which you naturally feel pity for Eponine. I just wish she would have brought more to the role. Mr. Orman and Ms. Hawkins play the romantic leads with such ease, filling what are normally very flat characters into something very entertaining to watch. Ms. Hawkins Cosette is the first time I have not seen this character portrayed as your typical ingénue, and Mr. Orman has such a beautiful voice he will leave you in tears by the end of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. Kudos as well to the entire ensemble, as they bring such wonderful life and energy to the stage. You will truly be missing out if you do not see this (anything but) Childrens Show.



Garland Civic Theatre Updated On: 7/29/09 at 06:12 PM