Les Miserables 08/08 Review

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:50am

So, I went yesterday to New York City, and we decided to rush a show. We already had tickets for RENT at night, so we needed to find a matinee. Since I am in Les Miserables: School Edition right now, we decided to go and see the revival. It was on TKTS, but of course we get stuck behind some dumb lady who doesn't have a fricken idea what the heck she wants. "Do you have Legally Blonde..? Do you have Spelling Bee...? Do you have WEDDING SINGER...?" Ho, that closed a while ago! Bah, idiots. Anyway, I was afraid that the tickets were going to be sold out, but they weren't. We got Mezz. row G. They weren't bad at all.

One of the first things that I noticed when we got in the theatre was how cold it was. I mean, it was nice and everything, it was just cold. It was fine though, cause it felt so good at first from the dang heat outside. Oh, also, how about that "Voice of God" that comes over the loudspeaker before the show? You hear like a beeping noise, and then some man comes over the loudspeaker and tells you that if you are not sitting, you would have to stand at the back of the house for approximately 14 minutes. Not 13, not 15, 14 minutes.

Anyway, so the show started. I was immediately impressed by Drew Sarich. He sings so amazingly. I didn't really know what to expect, since I had only heard him in Lestat and JCS. I was surpised at his Valjean, I really liked the way that he played the role, and I don't see how Alex could have been much better, if any better at all. He was great, and his 'Bring Him Home' was FANTASTIC.

Lea Salonga, wow. That is all I can say. WOW! She is perfect, fantastic, amazing, heartbreaking, and very nice. I don't know, I just loved her performance so much. 'I Dreamed A Dream'.. woah. That song was just so heart wrenching. Daphne couldn't have been better, no way. I am totally convinced against it. Now, I've heard Lea as Eponine, but she has really made Fantine her role. It is usually always played by great actresses, and Lea is no exception.

Robert Hunt impressed me as Javert. His vocals were great, but I felt a lack of.. acting maybe? I don't know, I am playing Javert right now as well, and I think I was just bothered that we did different things, some of which each were better. He was a great singer though, but I kinda wish the effect for the suicide was a little bit better. Still, the emotion in that song is just thrilling. He was good, and even though it sounds like I didn't, I really did enjoy watching his performance.

Max and Adam Jacobs were great. Now, there were some times when Max kinda just faded into the background.. but when he was putting his all into it, he was great. I loved his death, I love when the barricade turns and you just see him and Gavroche dead, truly heartbreaking. When he shined, he really shined, but I just felt like at times he was kinda just faded into the background. Adam Jacobs, no complaints. He was great, simply put. He made me like the role of Marius, when I never really did before.

Girl playing Eponine was alright. Fantastic singer, but I didn't like the way that they blocked 'On My Own'. What is with her just sitting on the ground like that the entire song? That's dumb. But, her 'Little Fall Of Rain' was the saddest part of the show for me. She was great in that.

Although, it would have been so much better had the woman behind me not been laughing throughout the song. I wanted to turn around and friggen roundhouse kick her in the head. Maybe then she would open her fat old mouth and laugh during one of the best scenes. Old ho-bag.

Gavroche, forgive me I keep forgetting names. He was good. Very cute, played the role well. I didn't care for '10 Little Bullets' instead of 'Little People'. Still, very chilling when he was shot. You could hear a pindrop in the theatre. That is one of the greatest/sickest moments in any show ever.

Ann Harada was hilarious as Mme. Thenardier. Her and Chip have great chemistry. It was a treat to watch all of their scenes. She was so funny, and had me laughing so many times. Whenever she was onstage, there was a huge smile on my face.

Didn't really like Cosette.

Chip ZIEN! He was fantastic. Best Thenardier I've ever seen in my life. I consider myself really really lucky that I caught him instead of Gary Beach. He totally has settled into the role, and makes it his own. I love everything he did, and the fact that he was so spastic really added to Thenardier. He was hilarious, and I always looked forward to the moment that he walked into stage, or popped out of a trap door. He is one of the great men on Broadway, and if you haven't seen him live, go see Les Miserables! He alone is worth admission!

Pictures to come, but I really really loved the show. It was totally the best theatre experience that I'd ever had (that is until I saw RENT later that night). Such a great show. If you've never seen it, please go. Even if you have, go back! It's amazing, and you will love it too. Just hope that no idiots laugh during inappropriate moments. Seriously, I thought it was so awesome. It's really enchanting to see Les Miserables for the first time. Go, go, GO!

Updated On: 8/10/07 at 12:50 AM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:56am

I attempted to rush it tonight, but it was sold out.

[DougieYero]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 12:59am

Haha, I was with him (Judas, here).

Agree with it all.

My first time seeing Les Mis and it was wonderful. Definitely one of the best Broadway shows I've seen.

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:05am

umm...Aaron Lazar left in the spring. Do you mean Max Von Essen?

but other than that little quid bit, great review!! Thanks for sharing!

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:12am

Oops sorry, you're right. :-P

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:13am

Double post. Updated On: 8/10/07 at 01:13 AM

[Cass]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:13am

hehe. this show was #1 on my worst performances ever list.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:15am

Really? What did you not like about it?

[p.s.]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:20am

Now, there were some times when Aaron Lazar kinda just faded into the background..

Aaron faded out of the show a few months ago. You must mean Max von Essen.
[Edit -- Sorry, very slow typist. This was already corrected 15 minutes before I finished my post.]

Gavroche, forgive me I keep forgetting names.

Wednesday matinee -- probably Zach Rand. He dies great.

I was immediately impressed by Drew Sarich. He sings so amazingly. I didn't really know what to expect, since I had only heard him in Lestat and JCS. I was surpised at his Valjean, I really liked the way that he played the role, and I don't see how Alex could have been much better, if any better at all. He was great, and his 'Bring Him Home' was FANTASTIC.

I was at last night's (Thursday) show. Third time seeing Drew as Valjean. I have said in the past that Alex alone (or Lea alone) is worth the price of admission. Drew is pretty much there as well. His singing is stronger (more comfortable?) than his first few shows, and his acting, too, is right on. [Especially beautiful is the love he shows for Cosette, which wasn't so evident the first couple of times.] I guess Drew is maturing and growing older with the role.


p.s. His hair still needs to be shortened or pulled away from hiding his face. I sat dead center so it was OK this time, but from any kind of angle his face (mouth, expressions) is hidden. Please trim the wigs.
Updated On: 8/10/07 at 01:20 AM

[Cass]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:26am

where do i begin?

in a big nutshell:
1. orchestration was terrible, weak and ineffective
2. everyone was miscast. i can go into detail if you like.
3. even the ensemble was miscast
4. the direction/staging was the opposite of exciting
5. where was the acting? the beautiful story? the seamless transitions?
6. the sound had way too much reverb, which may be the reason why I couldn't really understand the words
7. again, nobody brought any kind of justice to the emotional phrasing of the music or the story.
8. it's late and i can't write anymore

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:32am

6. the sound had way too much reverb, which may be the reason why I couldn't really understand the words

Interesting -- where did you sit? I'm a huge Les Miz fan but wasn't so hot on the revival. The thing I did like, though, was the sound. It was a little quiet, but crystal clear. I sat somewhere in Row L or so of the orch.

[Cass]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:33am

oh one more thing. what were the costume adjustments about? example: cosette's weird dress: was it to distract from her horrible singing and acting?

[Cass]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:35am

lizziecurry, you had nice seats! i stood, yes, i stood.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:42am

Max sucks. Sorry. I know that's rude, but I really just don't think he's good, and I find his voice to be really annoying.

Whoo. Now that that's out.

"I didn't really know what to expect, since I had only heard him in Lestat and JCS. "
---> That sentence confused. So you've heard him on two different recordings, and still you didn't know what to expect? Hm.

And I'm always weary of people who proclaim things like "This was the best theaterical experience of my life" and blah blah.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:46am

I didn't know what to expect as him in the role of Jean Valjean.

I don't like you.

[p.s.]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 1:50am

I'm wary of people who proclaim that they are weary of people.


p.s. Actually, I'm just plain weary. Time to get some sleep.
Updated On: 8/10/07 at 01:50 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:51am

Burn.

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 6:39am

Um...EPONINE doesn't sit on the ground AT ALL during On My Own...what are talking about?

[wonderful1]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 8:00am

A friend of mine just went to this revival for the second time (first time was seeing Alex). Mind you, she and her husband had seen it numerous times before it closed and often in the front row (the better to watch J. Mark McVey!)
The first time at the revival she hated DRV, and Alex was 'ok' but, nothing memorable.
The second time was with Drew Sarich and she proclaimed to me that she would NEVER go back to this revival with this particular cast.
She said it was awful. The specifics I got from her was the overall feeling that Les Miz always gave (before closing)was that of goodness, hope and redemption. She said this production left her with the feeling of heaviness - darkness and unease. She was really looking forward to seeing it again without DRV but, was totally disappointed. Valjean needs to be someone you care about and root for - however, she cared nothing for him and couldn't understand why DS had been cast as Valjean (no, it was not one of his first performances). I guess CM wanted to take it in a different direction and he has - only thing is I think many who loved it as it was are not too happy. Guess CM doesn't care as long as he rakes in the $$$.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 10:19am

When I saw the show months ago. I was pleasantly surprised with some of the new changes, but agree that whoever came up with the new orchestrations really blew it. The overture sucks now.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 10:48am

"Lea Salonga, wow. That is all I can say. WOW! She is perfect, fantastic, amazing, heartbreaking, and very nice. I don't know, I just loved her performance so much. 'I Dreamed A Dream'.. woah. That song was just so heart wrenching."

I recently saw this production. I cried a bit when Lea sang - she did such a good job!

[massofmen]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 11:02am

"Girl playing Eponine was alright. Fantastic singer, but I didn't like the way that they blocked 'On My Own'. What is with her just sitting on the ground like that the entire song?"

what the heck are you talking about? She stands the whole time? were you really there? or...I really have no explanation for that one. Thats like saying, "I wonder why elphaba doesn't fly at the end of act I. I thought it would be better if she did". . And I wondered why I stopped coming onto this board so often for reviews and information. Its the ineptitude of posts like this one that make me really have to discern who's opinion I actually listen to.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:09pm

"Girl playing Eponine was alright. Fantastic singer, but I didn't like the way that they blocked 'On My Own'. What is with her just sitting on the ground like that the entire song?"

"Girl playing Eponine" was probably Megan McGinnis (curly hair), unless you saw an understudy.

And she does NOT sit at all during the song. Are you sure you weren't dozing off or something?

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:13pm

What I mean is, she just stands in the middle of the stage and sings the song. Updated On: 8/10/07 at 02:13 PM

[secret-soul]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 2:21pm

I've seen it 8 times and Eponine has never sat. Unless Megan's knee injury was bothering her, I see no reason for that to have happened.
Regardless.
I don't like Max very much either. He's kind of a disappointment. Adam drowns him out and even Adam's not that strong.
Megan is definitely my favorite Eponine of the 4 I've seen in this revival.
I love Rob's Javert. He's SO maniacal and AMAZING. I'm SO happy he came back to do this. His suicide is BRILLIANT.
I didn't like Ann Harada the first time I saw her in April. But she's growing on me. And her chemistry with Chip is way better than her chemistry with Gary. Chip is a stupendous Thenardier. A+.
I like Zach Rand, but not as much as I like Brian. I think Brian's got more zest and Zach's got more maturity.
Ali Ewolt's Cosette is a bit of a canary but that's who Cosette is, so I got over it a long time ago.
Drew Sarich is brilliant in this role. Brilliant. A Shining light. That's what brilliance is. Alex was good and I thought he was the best thing I'd heard in a long time, but after seeing Drew in the role twice now (and I was extremely iffy on how well he was going to do) I went back and listened to Alex on a recording that does not exist..........and I just wasn't as impressed anymore. Drew seems much more alive and I think the falsetto for bring him home comes much more naturally than it did for Alex.
As for being worth the price of the ticket, his bring him home is. As is his "take an eye for an eye, turn your heart into stone, this is all i have lived for, this is all i have known"...that part alone, i turned to my friend and said i would have paid full price to see THAT. He's great.