LES MISÉRABLES extends limited engagement- Page 2

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 4:00pm

It's never gonna go away again, it is?

Kiiiidding. I don't love the show, but I'm glad for the people who do love it. I just think it's a little bit ridiculous already, but I won't further rain on anyone's parade. Enjoy it! :)

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 4:35pm

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

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 4:36pm

YES! YES! YES!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:01pm

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.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:01pm

Yay! This is quite exciting. Maybe now they will make a new cast recording...

[javertjunky]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:02pm

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

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:10pm

Sure, it's posting an extension of 2 months. Not a big surprise. (Glad for those involved. There's no guarantee it will actually happen). Stranger things have happened to shows that post extensions and end early.

Let's look at this from a $$$ standpoint:

1. If the numbers stay in the $500,-$600 now, they can surely afford a few more months. (Les Miz most assuredly is not costing $500,000 to keep running each week, with the borrowed sets, props, reduced orchestra & the revival cast. It didn't cost more than this weekly prior to closing. Let's just leave it at that).

2. Unless by some wild onslaught of extended popularity, I wouldn't expect any changes cast-wise, extension-wise or otherwize.

So, before people get all "this way" or "that way" about the Les Miserables extension...I will stand by my original statement...look at the numbers January through March. That will dictate how long it stays. Personally, I've told my friends to book tickets dates for early April.

Still, happy for those who have tickets to see it and those involved in the show. (But it needs to hit the road by mid 2007 imo).

Updated On: 12/19/06 at 05:10 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:12pm

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

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 5:13pm

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 6:18pm

i hope it never closes

les mis is the best showw

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 7:52pm

BSOBW2,
I agree with you 100%
First I want to say I
am thrilled to hear that
they are extending thru summer
Alex does it for me as Jean Valjean.
He shows so much emotion I feel what
he feels when he sings.

I am so happy for this cast and
now I want a cast recording so I
can hear the music everyday and be
reminded of their performances.
I just love the music, can't get
enough.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:02pm

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

[elphieandglindabffl]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:18pm

"kill me. NOW."
Oh God.. shut up people about these nasty comments.. If you don't like Les Mis there is deff. something wrong with you people. I was just in Les Mis with my high school and I played Gavroche.. I heard of it, but didn't really like it or didn't know at all what happened. By the time the show closed I of course still want to do the shows, but by listening to the songs it tells a powerful message out. But I do agree that if you don't have the perfect cast.. the poeple who you don't like will put you to sleep or bore people.

Sorry... just had to put my point of view out... didn't mean to make it so strong, i get into these things, deff. when people talk about my favorite musicals. I try to calm myself and just get mad at home.. lol.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:25pm

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.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:28pm

wow just wow and why?

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:34pm

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!!!

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:40pm

I just REALLY want any recording of aaron lazar.

p.s. Im not obsessed I swear, I just say his name a lot.

[SuzyQzy]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 8:42pm

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

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:00pm

yea. I got an autographed photo of him that reads "Climb the barricades of life." So cool.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:09pm

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.

[SuzyQzy]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:10pm

I am also hoping for a Cast Recording. Even highlights would suit me fine.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:15pm

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!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:19pm

The article on playbill.com says June 17.

[angelic1]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:32pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/19/06 at 10:37pm

What a shock (not )

I am glad it is extending but would have bet money before it opened that it would. Now maybe they will start selling merchandise unless they have already started