BWW Reviews: LES MISERABLES A Powerful Reimagining

Not long after the Sacramento opening night performance of Les Miserables, producers officially confirmed plans to take the 25th anniversary production to Broadway next March. The announcement will come as no surprise to those who have witnessed the grandeur of the reimagined sets and slightly updated score. While many will miss the rotating stage of the original production, Wednesday night's standing ovation and the success of last year's film version of the musical, not to mention all the regional performances that are popping up everywhere, attest to its epic standing in the Broadway World.

And Sacramento audiences have a chance to see the new production before it makes its way to Broadway. After all, casts are always changing, and every actor brings something new to each role. That fact's certainly applicable to the current touring ensemble, which features some decidedly unique voices. Peter Lockyer commands attention as the escaped convict Jean Valjean, who finds redemption in God and in raising a child for a helpless mother.

Genevieve Leclerc as the child's mother, Fantine, and Devin Ilaw as Marius, the student who falls in love with the child when she's older, have gorgeous, pure voices that stand out from previous versions of their characters, although Ilaw's acting falls a bit flat. Andrew Varela has trouble making a strong impression during the first act as Javert, the law enforcer intent on bringing Jean Valjean to justice, but Varela makes a marked change in an intense and passionate second act rendition of Javert's "Soliloquy." Briana Carlson-Goodman belts a spot-on version of "On My Own" as Eponine, the street-wise girl with a crush on Marius. And Jason Forbach gives the audience chills as Enjolras, the passionate leader of the revolution in which the leads get mixed up.

Perhaps the only real disappointment of the production comes from the one character meant to provide comic relief in the midst of all the tragedy, Thernadier the innkeeper and con man. Timothy Gulan has a nice tone, but lacks any memorable character. He goes through the brilliant comedic staging, but no affect. Gone are Thernadier's accent and quirky mannerisms. Fortunately, Shawna M. Hamic lights up the stage as Thernadier's uproarious wife.

As a whole, the tour's cast has an amazing energy that can only come from the pride and excitement of performing a worldwide phenomenon musical. The use of Victor Hugo's original drawings as the inspiration for projected backdrops and Matt Kinley's intricate and overlapping set designs maintain just enough of the original designs while bringing a new, fabulous look to the show, stars in themselves. The music and story never get old, and the people continue to sing, calling for more and more Les Mis.

- -

LES MISERABLES
Broadway Sacramento
Through June 9
http://calmt.com/