Lea did a fantastic job as Fantine. She was in tears by the end of I DREAMED A DREAM and she brought the house down. The rest of her performance matched. Her death scene was done beautifully as well, and she has much chemistry with Gemignani - who was in perfect voice tonight.
Gary Beach was out again 9he was out my first time). James Chip Leonard seemed off tonight - he was much better the first time I saw him. I would like to see Gary Beach though - he is a great performer. But Jenny Galloway - who is breaking the Les Mis mold and making things her own completely dominated the stage. She added some of the most bizarre things into her performance that were hilarious. For example, when Javert enters during LOOK DOWN she ran out of the wings screaming, sat down, and got quiet as only Mme. Thenardier can. She also spent a lot of time during BEGGARS AT THE FEAST undressing the men.
Norm Lewis - whose voice was solid as it always is - was stiffer than usual. He is one of the finest actors in NYC and it seems like this role has gone over his head. I don't quite understand it. I have to blame John Caird, who must have directed Lewis to be bored, boring, and weak. But I could listen to him sing for days and days. Odd thing I noticed - they seem to have taken his SUICIDE higher and the last note - the jump - seemed to be pre-recorded or something. I don't remember him singing it that high the first time I saw the show, nor do I remember any Javert singing it that high. At first I thought he made a mistake (but it's Norm Lewis!) but the last note sounded strange.
Nehal Joshi was on. He has a nice voice, but lacks the commanding presence - in voice and physicality - needed for Enjolras. Aaron Lazar was missed!
I agree, Lea was fantastic. such an exciting experience to see someone who you've admired on recording..live for the first time. Lea gave great fragility to the role while at the same time, not making the character weak. Her dreamed a dream was fantastic. as was her death scene. you really sensed hallucinations and that the end was near.
This was my first time seeing the "revival". Having seen the original and also having seen it done in high schools twice. I must say this is the freshest i've seen les mis. as such, the relationships were so clear, i picked up a lot of subtle things that i've never realized before. this was a treat. It's the first time i've ever cried during les mis, something i was really not expecting to happen. I dreamed a dream, a little fall of rain, bring him home, and the finale all got to me. It was an emotional experience. This was the first time i was hot with the scope of the piece and how much ground they cover. overall, this production seems a lot...quieter. there was several times where they didn't belt, etc. in places i assumed they would. i dont know if it was because it was the second show of the day or if this is the usual proceeding. i think it worked for the most part, made it much more...cathartic and made it much more about the characters inner emotions.
Celia was utterly phenominal at acting the part of eponine. Eponine for some reason remains one of my fave characters in musical history. Celia's performence was everything i think the character should be. she didnt play herself as a victime, which is essential. she was brassy outwardly, and damaged inside. her little fall of rain was absoluetly astonishing. one of the best played deaths i've seen onstage. I usually am not a fan of this number, but for some reason...it really got to me. i looove how she goes to kiss him at the end and doesnt. it all the other productions shes suceeded with the kiss. I think her dying as shes going to makes it so much more... dramatically sastiating.
I loved cosette's retooled costumes, it think it works wonderfully and adds alot to the character. I think this is probably the first time i've liked character of cossette. though, both younger and older's singing was a little off.
alexander gemignani works soooo hard in the role. he was astonishing... at first i was unsure but he was just... incredible. i dont even have the words. he moved me so much. it seemed much more about the relationships with this production. and gemignani nailed valjean. i truly got that he was doing everything for cossette.
overall, an amazing night at the theater. which is what les mis should be, which is what i hope it remains to be. I really hope they keep it fresh and once it begins to go as stale as past productions, they close it.
sigh...oh lea, you're fantastic. fin.
""the gays love their presents. just wave something shiny in front of their faces, you can get whatever you want. Thats how we got manhattan from the gay indians" -Karen (W&G)"
I didn't know the kiss started with the 10th anniversary cast. I remember seeing a clip once with Peter Lockyer and Sarah Uriarte-Berry where Marius actually kissed Eponine after she had died. (Not a Y-T clip. I was buying tickets for the National Tour when it came to Minneapolis last year, and the clip was temporarily on their website).
I've seen the Revival a number of times and I've never seen Eponine actually kiss Marius (and I always watch for it).
Celia's Eponine always tries and comes close, but only once did I see her lips touch; and it looked like she was already dead and her momentum had carried her forward a bit before her body collapsed.
p.s. Forget about the age stuff. Wouldn't it be cool to see Celia and Lea trade parts for one or two performances.
Richard Jay-Alexander directed Lea Salonga in her solo Carnegie Hall debut. What does (did) Ms. Salonga have to say about Richard? :
“The first time we worked together,” Salonga recalls, “was on Les Miz when I went in many years ago. I remember him being very enthusiastic, very passionate, very hands-on, very emotional and very committed to what he does. And that has not waned in any way in the years that I’ve known him. . . .
p.s. Miz with a Z Richard-Jay Alexander with a Richard Jay-Alexander