Review: Utah Symphony's DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? is Sublime

By: Mar. 07, 2013

Utah Symphony recently presented the sublime "Do You Hear the People Sing: From Les Mis to Miss Saigon" concert at Abravanel Hall.

The concert included countless pieces of music from the stage musicals of Alain Boublil (in attendance at the reviewed performance) and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Due to the constraints of putting together a balanced set list, some beloved songs did not make the cut, but the list still incorporated a marvelous cross-section of music both obscure and well known.

The rich sound of the Utah Symphony was ravishing as always. It was incredible to hear Boublil and Schonberg's epic songs so fully orchestrated and so skillfully played. Conductor Jerry Steichen was as engaging as ever as he partnered with the guest performers to introduce the various numbers.

The most exciting aspect of the concert was the participation of Broadway legend Terrence Mann, who originated the roles of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, and Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel. He was also, most relevantly, the first to play the role of Javert in Les Miserables on Broadway. Unfortunately, due to the composition of this concert's particular group of guest artists, Mr. Mann was often relegated to singing comedic songs that didn't best feature his distinctive voice. He was a game participant, however, and he showed a great deal of versatility in the process. The unmitigated highlight of the evening was Mr. Mann's performance of "Stars" from Les Miserables, which showcased his strengths as a performer and evoked the memory of his iconic roles.

The other incredibly talented guest artists included Eric Kunze, who performed as Marius in Les Miserables and Chris in Miss Saigon on Broadway; Jennifer Paz, who played Kim on the original first national tour of Miss Saigon; Marie Zamora, who played the role of Cosette in Les Miserables in Paris; and Sarah Uriarte Berry, who performed as Eponine in Les Miserables, among other Broadway credits.

Other memorable moments included "I'm Martin Guerre" from Martin Guerre by Eric Kunze, the cut "Too Much for One Heart" from Miss Saigon by Jennifer Paz, the cut "I Saw Him Once" from Les Miserables by Marie Zamora, and "Woman" from The Pirate Queen by Sarah Uriarte Berry.

The concert closed with thrilling renditions of "One Day More" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from Les Miserables by the group of guest artists and the Utah Symphony Chorus, which entranced the audience with its versatile sound throughout the evening.

For information about other forthcoming Utah Symphony concerts, visit www.usuo.org. For tickets, call 1-888-451-ARTS (2787) or visit www.arttix.com.

Photo Credit: Terrence Mann



RELATED STORIES

1
Pioneer Theatre Company to Present THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in October Photo
Pioneer Theatre Company to Present THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in October

Pioneer Theatre Company will present a live theatrical version of the cult classic rock musical The Rocky Horror Show from October 20-31, 2023.

2
Review: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Pioneer Theatre Company Whisks Away the Audience Photo
Review: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Pioneer Theatre Company Whisks Away the Audience

Pioneer Theatre Company’s production of Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS whisks the audience away to an engaging evening.

3
DADDY LONG LEGS Comes to On Pitch Performing Arts This Week Photo
DADDY LONG LEGS Comes to On Pitch Performing Arts This Week

OPPA!’s production of Daddy Long Legs  opens Friday, September 29th. Learn more about the play and how to get tickets here!

4
Photos: First Look at Hale Center Theater Orems THE MUSIC MAN Photo
Photos: First Look at Hale Center Theater Orem's THE MUSIC MAN

Hale Center Theater Orem will produce THE MUSIC MAN playing from Oct. 06 to Nov. 18, 2023. Check out the production photos here!

From This Author - Tyler Hinton

Tyler Hinton has been a contributing editor at BroadwayWorld since January 2012. He has a BA from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in T... Tyler Hinton">(read more about this author)

Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Jane Austen's Emma the Musical
Utah Shakespeare Festival (6/22-10/07)CAST
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Dracula vs. The Hunchback
Off Broadway Theater (10/06-10/28)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (7/15-10/20)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# It’s a Wondrous Life
Off Broadway Theater (11/03-11/25)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Sleepy Hollow: The Musical
West Valley Performing Arts Center (10/05-10/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Timon of Athens
Utah Shakespeare Festival (7/14-10/07)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (5/13-10/19)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Tarzan
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (5/20-10/21)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (11/24-12/22)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Play That Goes Wrong
Utah Shakespeare Festival (6/30-10/07)CAST
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You