LES MISÉRABLES extends limited engagement — Page 2

While I think the current production is in good- not great shape, I Am very happy for the cast to continue working.

If it wasn't this group of actors working on this show, it would be another group of actors working on a different (NEW) show. That's the way it works. This show is tired. Bring in something new, please.

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YYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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This is great news. I finally just saw it and for the first time in, I don't know, my 16 years of seeing the show, it was the first time I had any emotional reaction (and I've never seen the audience react the way they did when I saw the show).

This is mainly due to Alexanger Gemignani's spectacular performance as Valjean - finally bringing the emotional content back to the show - instead of the good old "time to move to this spot" acting Les Mis suffered from.

Tears came streaming from his eyes as he connected to the character like none other before. He also brought a whole new dimension to his songs - particularly during the Soliloquy. And, on top of it all, his voice is powerful and more than able for this score. His "Bring Him Home" brought down the house and proved that you don't have to belt out a song to achieve a fantastic reaction.

On the other side - Norm Lewis did a great job (I'm a fan of his so I was quite excited to see him). His singing was right on, of course, but he was a bit wooden. Especially compared to Gemignani's powerful performance.

I don't really feel like writing out a whole review of the show.

I will say Jenny Galloway stole the show completely and it was a pleasure to see her, after watching her so long on the DVD. James Chip Leonard was her Thenardier and he has a very strong voice - different than most Thenardiers - but it worked extremely well for Dog Eats Dog. I felt, however, he was held back a lot by the actual staging of "Master of the House" - which wasn't as improvisational as it could be (which possibly as to do with the fact that the cast is still finding its way through the quirks of the song as a whole company AKA they aren't bored yet). By the way, I have wanted to see James Chip Leonard for a while now.

Ali Ewoldt and Adam Jacobs put back some of the comedy in the awkwardness of their budding relationship that had previously been missing. (Usually the Cosette-Marius scenes drag the show down.)

Overall, much of the staging improved on the original by allowing the actors more freedom in actually acting. I particularly liked the way the sailors came out at the top of "Lovely Ladies." It was silly, but just what was needed.

Updated On: 12/19/06 at 05:12 PM

i hope it never closes

les mis is the best showw

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It means I get to see Aaron Lazar perform again then I'm down.

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Well no offense, but you're giving your opinion and they can give theirs. "kill me..NOW" if obviously a negative opinion, but that's ok. Besides, negative thoughts may not even be about the show itself but hte fact that it seems to never want to leave. I can understand people who dont LOOOVE the show wanting it gone after only 3 years of being off of broadway. I personally love it but there you go. There's nothing wrong with anybody.

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Well, now that it's official, will someone please go ahead and plan a cast album recording, even for late April/early May when Daphne comes back, PLEASE!!!

Aaron's response time for fan mail is less than 2 weeks. And he signes everything XO Aaron. It's really cute.

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They can extend however long it takes to make a cast recording and for me to see the show at least once more...

Then they can do what they want.

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Tracks i'd kill for:

Celia's "On My Own"
Alex's "Bring Him Home"
Adam's "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"
Gary's "Master of the House"
Daphne's "I Dreamed a Dream"

GOOD GOD! I hope they record!

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Just saw this tonight and I cried from the end of 'On My Own' straight through the curtain call. It was breathtaking. I would adore a new recording with this amazing cast.

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