#1
Posted: 11/3/19 at 9:07am
I've never seen it live so is the tour worth it?
Updated On: 11/3/19 at 09:07 AM
Current Les Miserables tour?
#2
Posted: 11/3/19 at 9:18am
I was in your exact situation when it came to Tulsa last September. After seeing this production and it being my first experience with Les Miz, I say do it. The cast is excellent and the set is amazing. I finally get why people like les Miz after seeing it and I get why people only see it once. It’s a LONG show, but give it time, it’s amazing and this production is worth your time if you’ve never seen it before.
Updated On: 11/3/19 at 09:18 AM
#3
Posted: 11/3/19 at 9:55am
This in one of three touring shows - Once on 11/2, A Bronx Tale on 11/24, and Les Miserables on 12/1 - that all fall within a 30 day period for me. I’m actually thinking about skipping A Bronx Tale due to some prior commitments in NC, and wasn’t really sure about attending Les Miserables. Hoping to hear some more recent comments and reviews of the show.
#4
Posted: 11/3/19 at 9:58am
Yes. This particular version for some reason I enjoyed much more on tour then when I saw it on Broadway. I haven’t seen the latest cast though but I think it is a solid choice.
#5
Posted: 11/3/19 at 10:03am
This is a tough one. I saw the original turntable staging on tour and was MESMERIZED and amazed by the show when I was a teenager. I saw the most recent Cameron Mackintosh production both on tour and when it was on Broadway, and to be honest, the current staging (which they are unfortunately replacing the original staging with soon), is a travesty. The current staging is stale, unimaginative, static, and just plain cheap. However, I know many people whose first introduction to the show with the new staging. If you have not seen the original staging before or any other professional production of the show before, you are more likely to enjoy the new production. I just got spoiled with the original staging and a couple of VERY great professional productions.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#6
Posted: 11/3/19 at 1:29pm
I might be one of the few relatively "old-school" LM fans who really didn't mind that there is no turntable. It's...fine? It's not the end of the world and not the end of Les Miz. I first saw the show in 1995 and minus a couple of high school editions, only saw the original turntable version until the Hollywood Bowl production. I've seen the current tour twice and saw the most recent revival four times. I miss the turntable on a personal level, but that's about it.
As to the current tour, Josh Davis and Nick Cartell are both leaving soon, so OP, depending when you're seeing it, no one can give you any kind of educated opinion on the new Javert and Valjean.
As to the current tour, Josh Davis and Nick Cartell are both leaving soon, so OP, depending when you're seeing it, no one can give you any kind of educated opinion on the new Javert and Valjean.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#7
Posted: 11/3/19 at 9:55pm
LizzieCurry said: "I might be one of the few relatively "old-school" LM fans who really didn't mind that there is no turntable. It's...fine? It's not the end of the world and not the end of Les Miz. I first saw the show in 1995 and minus a couple of high school editions, only saw the original turntable version until the Hollywood Bowl production. I've seen the current tour twice and saw the most recent revival four times. I miss the turntable on a personal level, but that's about it.
As to the current tour, Josh Davis and Nick Cartell are both leaving soon, so OP, depending when you're seeing it, no one can give you any kind of educated opinion on the new Javert and Valjean."
Nope...you’re not the only one. I saw the original Broadway cast soon after the show opened. I saw the recent Broadway revival with the new production elements The loss of the turntable didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I always found applause for the scenery to be distracting.
Go.
#8
Posted: 11/3/19 at 10:01pm
If anything, the current production CAN look cramped depending on the venue (I felt it looked a little smushed at the Orpheum in San Francisco, but fine on Broadway and at the National in DC), but that happens with all sorts of tours. Yeah, I miss the turning reveal of Enjolras' body and I think the equivalent scene current staging gives a bit of an unnecessary tribute to that, but IMO those are hardly deal-breakers. It's still a solid production of the show.
The 25th anniversary production has become plenty of people's first exposure to LM live, and you can't see the turntable anymore anyway, so there's no reason to deprive yourself.
The 25th anniversary production has become plenty of people's first exposure to LM live, and you can't see the turntable anymore anyway, so there's no reason to deprive yourself.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#9
Posted: 11/4/19 at 10:02am
I had the pleasure of playing keyboard (Key 3) in the pit of this tour a few weeks ago while they were in Florida. Obviously I was focused on doing my job, haha, but from what I could hear, the cast sounded amazing and I was proud to be a small part of the production on those nights. They are in a transition period with new cast members coming in, so the energy level should be high, if that's a concern. As for the set... never saw it, I was under the stage. 
#10
Posted: 11/4/19 at 11:56am
I saw this while I was in Chicago this past July and thought it was ok. I thought the staging came off as very dark but I was also rear orchestra so I think I would have had a different experience if I were seated closer to the stage. Nick Cartell and Josh Davis are excellent but both are leaving the company in December so if you can, try to catch them before then.
#11
Posted: 11/25/19 at 6:15pm
Any recent reviews from someone who’s seen this current tour in the past month or two? Comments on current cast or staging? Seeing this on Sunday at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh and hoping to also get some great souvenirs. :)
#12
Posted: 11/25/19 at 7:50pm
I saw the tour in late September and enjoyed it, I’m not an intense Les Mis fan so I don’t have any strong feelings on the lack of turntable though. I thought the cast was strong and Joshua Grosso as Marius was definitely my favorite. The staging works but I also feel like there are some moments where it can be a bit confusing at times. (This is probably due to my seat location when I saw it.)
#13
Posted: 11/26/19 at 10:00am
Thanks for the comments. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen the movie and still haven’t made it all the way through the OBCR as it’s a bit tedious. All I keep thinking about is the scene from Something Rotten with Nick Bottom and Thomas Nostradamus during A Musical....No Talking at ALL?!?! All of the dialogue is sung in a very dramatic fashion!
I’ve had a few friends say they’re completely jealous that I get to see it. Hoping to come back with a good report. :)
#14
Posted: 11/26/19 at 11:15am
I would really recommend seeing the movie before you go see the show; not only will you immediately fall in love with it but then when you're at the show you'll be able to focus more on the power and emotion that the actors give off instead of trying to figure out the plot (which is very complicated)! Just a Mizzie's two cents :)
~E
#15
Posted: 11/26/19 at 11:27am
I saw the movie just weeks before I saw this tour in Philly in 2013 and I was blown away by the tour and how incredible it was to hear the score live and with such a fantastic cast. It was completely like Enjolras5 said - you get to focus on the emotion and power of the performers and I fell so in love with the show that night.
I saw the current tour back in January 2018 when it came to Philly and I really loved them. Nick Cartell is such a fantastic Valjean (as was Steve Czarnecki, his then alternate/understudy) and the company overall was wonderful. I know Nick, Josh Davis (what a voice on him), and Allison Guinn (absolutely hysterical) are all leaving soon so I'm very excited to see Patrick, Preston, and Michelle when the tour comes back to Philly in March 2020.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 12/2/19 at 11:27 AM
#16
Posted: 11/26/19 at 2:47pm
Wonderful recommendations! I usually try not to watch the movies after I’ve seen the shows because I want to keep the stage performance in my brain as long as possible. No plans for this Thursday other than house cleaning, so I’ll try and watch the movie then. This is the one with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Eddie Redmayne? On Friday/Saturday I’ll be too busy taking care of dad and driving back and forth to NC, during which I’ll also be listening to the OBCR non-stop.
#18
Posted: 11/26/19 at 9:10pm
Yes, the 2012 one with the one and only Mr. Aaron Tveit <3
Watching it right now, such a good movie. You will fall in love with it. And have fun on Sunday!
~E
#19
Posted: 12/1/19 at 8:36am
Made it to Pittsburgh for today’s 1pm matinee of Les Miserables. Until I see the cast board I won’t know for sure who’s on and who will have their Understudy performing.
All of a sudden I’m VERY exited to see the show, despite never getting the chance since my last post to see the movie. Just had too much on my plate these past few days.
If there are any questions about the show let me know and I’ll try and get answers. Can’t wait to see what’s at e souvenir stand! My poor credit card!!! lol
#20
Posted: 12/1/19 at 9:14am
Found a show program in the parking garage. Have been reading the musical numbers and this one is by far the most different than I’ve ever seen:
Act One is broken up into different time periods and locations -
Prologue: 1815 Digne, which includes Prologue and Soliloquy;
1823, Montreuil-Sur-Mer, which begins with At The End of the Day and continues to Castle on a Cloud;
1832 Montfermeil, which includes Master of the House and The Bargain;
lastly 1832, Paris, which goes from Paris to One More Day and leads to the Intermission.
Act Two has no time period breaks and begins with On My Own and continues through to Beggars at the Feast and the Finale.
Updated On: 12/1/19 at 09:14 AM
#21
Posted: 12/1/19 at 12:13pm
The souvenir stand is quite comprehensive. Already bought a souvenir program and magnet, and will get the window card on the way out.
The cast board shows that roles for Javert, Little Cosette, Young Eponine, Gavroche, and the Innkeeper are using Understudies. Javert is being performed by Monte J. Howell.
The cast board shows that roles for Javert, Little Cosette, Young Eponine, Gavroche, and the Innkeeper are using Understudies. Javert is being performed by Monte J. Howell.
#22
Posted: 12/1/19 at 2:46pm
Intermission. Just found out that they’re having cast-signed window cards by all of the members of the regular tour cast at $40 a piece that will have the signatures of Nick Cartell and Josh Davis. Hate that I missed the latter in his performance.
#23
Posted: 12/1/19 at 2:56pm
Went to this tour last night 11/30 in Pittsburgh. Was so excited to see it as I haven't seen Les Miz in a long time so felt like I was visiting an old friend. Unfortunately, things went downhill quickly. This tour is in abysmal shape. The ensemble was basically fine, but the only lead who was worth her paycheck was Madame Thenardier. Everyone else was off-key and either sleep walking through their roles or camping it up and completely over-acting. In the hundreds of times I've seen this show I've never seen/heard such off pitch singing, hammy over acting and/or complete lack of acting, and such liberties taken with so many notes of the score. I was quite sad at how awful the show was. In fact, my friend I was with and I were both so disappointed we left at intermission (only the second time in my life I've left a professional show half way through.) I'm glad there are some new leads coming into this tour soon. I'm hoping they breathe some new life into it and only wish I'd gotten to see them instead.
<-- Tevye, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, March 2018
#24
Posted: 12/1/19 at 3:14pm
I have seen the current tour twice and thought it was amazing. I also saw it 3 times in the 1990s in the old production.
#25
Posted: 12/1/19 at 6:35pm
dmwnc1959 said: "Intermission. Just found out that they’re having cast-signed window cards by all of the members of the regular tour cast at $40 a piece that will have the signatures of Nick Cartell and Josh Davis. Hate that I missed the latter in his performance."
If you follow Josh on Instagram, he often posts the soundcheck from each theater. It's usually the confrontation scene. I know it's not the same as seeing him live but at least you'll get a taste of his singing in the role.
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