Review: Satisfying 'Les Miserables' Storms the Imperial
8 / 10
Who is he? Who is he? He's Ramin Karimloo, and as Jean Valjean, he's the main reason to reacquaint yourself with the 'newly reimagined' revival of 'Les Miserables,' now open at the Imperial Theatre... this 'Les Miz' is Karimloo's story. I was awed by the actor's soaring voice, particularly during the final notes of 'Bring Him Home,' which seem to last blissfully forever. He's captivating and charismatic...Ultimately, the dynamic between his Javert and Karimloo's Valjean feels a bit askew. How could anyone, really, possess the gravitas of this Valjean, and thus seem a suitable rival? Still, Swenson's second act soliloquy, in which he pledges to escape from the world of Jean Valjean, is a high point.

