Lea Salonga's Official Opening Night in Les Miserables- Page 2

[theminutepast]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:39pm

Would anyone who saw her mind explaining how she portrayed Fantine? I'm glad she did good, but I'm more interested in what emotions she conveyed, whether she acted sick before "Come To Me," and how her death scene was. Anyone?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 1:40pm

http://musicals.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=56578

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 1:42pm

I saw James Chip Leonard when I first saw Les Mis (the Revival). He was great - I've wanted to see him for some time. Though I will admit I was upset to be missing Gary Beach.

Sounds like I'll be missing Beach again tonight.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 6:31pm

People are still active over at the musicals.net Les Mis forum?

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 6:38pm

I saw James Chip Leonard, he was pretty good, IMO he kind of missed some of the jokes. But, anyway I hope to see Lea Salonga, from the broadway.com footage she looks amazing

[VictorHugoFan]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 8:09pm

This is in response to the post of "theminutepast"

Here's my take on the show. My wife and I saw the Les Miz matinee last Saturday (March 3) from the last Row of the Orchestra section. This was our third time to see it (the first two during the original Broadway run). We both love Boublil & Schoenberg’s soaring music and have our own favorite characters. My impression was that the acting was more nuanced this time around and vocals were generally good.

My wife and I agreed that Lea Salonga (Fantine) was a standout in terms of vocal quality and acting. Victor Hawks (Valjean), good acting, and while vocally powerful in climactic parts, came across as tentative in the beginning of every song. I thought that Ali Ewoldt (Cosette) was pitchy the entire show. Adam Jacobs (Marius) over-enunciated. The rest of the characters ranged from OK to good.

I liked Salonga’s interpretation of “I Dreamed a Dream” which came across as sad yet dignified. Fantine’s dying scene was heartbreaking. I was glad the coughing was minimal. When she was hallucinating in bed, her hand reaching out to her daughter who wasn’t there, “Cossette, it's turned so cold…Cosette, it's past your bedtime…You've played the day away…And soon it will be night…Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading…” you could feel in her voice a genuine love of a mother for her child.

And when Fantine sang to Valjean “Take my child. I give her to your keeping…And tell Cosette I love her and I'll see her when I wake...” my wife and I lost it at this point and we just let the tears flow—waterworks! We weren’t alone. I heard sniffles from several women nearby and the entire theater was transfixed on the dying woman on stage. I also saw a number of grown men surreptitiously wipe away their tears. The scene was very moving and I give kudos to Salonga and Hawks for sensitive portrayals and superb vocals. Other moving scenes were “Bring Him Home,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” and the death of little Gavroche.

After the show, the crowd gave the actors a standing ovation. As we left the theater, my wife asked me if I wanted to see it a fourth time. Of course, I said yes.

[lesmisforever]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 8:21pm

Thanks for your review on Mrs. Salonga's performance!

[theminutepast]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:51pm

Thank you for your review, VictorHugo. I saw the original revival cast three times, and so I was interested to hear what Lea Salonga would bring to the role.

[VictorHugoFan]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:13am

Glad to be of help, theminutepast. But if you get the chance, I suggest that you go see Les Miz again and let us know what you think of Lea Salonga's interpretation. Maybe you'll see something new and exciting that we have missed.

I was just telling my wife the other day that we should have gone to see Daphne Vega's take on the role of Fantine. I'm sure it was not as bad as some people have claimed.

Probably there is no denying that Salonga possesses a clarion voice and acting ability that could do justice to a Boublil & Schoenberg musical score, especially as dramatic and melodic as Les Miz or Ms Saigon. But then again it would have also been interesting to have witnessed a less "polished" interpretation from Vega. I'm sure Vega's Fantine also had its own charm and quality that could have taken the scenes to a new direction and meaning.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:21am

Well, from this crowd you will get boos and hisses at Daphne's interpretation or lack of vocal beauty (if that makes sense). I for one thought she was amazing. She made every line of I dreamed... believable and really portrayed the digression of the character excellently. But, I will admit I am excited to go see Lea Salonga again.

VictorHugoFan- I am assuming you and your wife saw Frances Ruffelle as Eponine. If you did, how was her performance in you opinion? Thanks

[theminutepast]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:33am

I agree about Daphne. I enjoyed her performance. I didn't mention her specifically because I didn't want another pro/anti Daphne argument to erupt in this thread.

I don't live near NYC, but I was temporarily living there for the month of January. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to see Lea.

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:35am

Excited to see Lea next week! By the way, it's Mrs. Chien, not Mrs. Salonga. Though I think she'd rather be Ms. Salonga (not Miss)!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:42am

Saw Les Mis tonight. Lea Salonga's Fantine was absolutely incredible. She nailed the lines, the facial expressions, and of course, "I Dreamed A Dream" was perfection. It was heartbreaking when she died (the way it should be). We really cared about her character and we were delighted to see her return as a ghost at the end of Act 2. Though her time in the spotlight was short, it was extremely memorable in a positive way. She deserves all the praise she gets in this role...just brilliant.

Other than Lea, Alex's "Bring Him Home" was perfect once again (I saw the first preview back in October). He was in perfect voice tonight.

Lea was extremely gracious at the stage door, signing and taking pictures with everyone who asked. She signed my playbill and my Miss Saigon and Flower Drum Song CD covers. What a lovely woman and fabulous performer. I am a fan for life.

[VictorHugoFan]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:44am

Jewishboy- The wife and I were split on Frances Ruffelle. She thought Ruffelle's Eponine was good and credible. My verdict was not so generous. While I generally enjoyed the experience, I remembered thinking that Ruffelle had this shrill and wailing quality to her voice that just didn't go well with me. Too plaintive for my taste.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 1:44am

VictorHugoFan and WithoutATrace - How was curtain call for Lea Salonga? How did the audience receive her performance?

On the colored brochure or programme...have they updated the pictures in it to include Lea Salonga?

Merci.

Updated On: 3/8/07 at 01:44 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 2:03am

When Lea and Celia came out (together) for their curtain calls, the entire audience stood and cheered, including myself. The audience LOVED her and there were tons of people at the stage door just to see her. She is definitely a wonderful addition to this cast.

Not sure about the souvenir program though...

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 2:17am

Thank goodness people want Fantine to come back at the end again. I didn't mind Daphne that much, but my whole family hated her and they weren't the only ones in that theatre. The audience is supposed to feel for Fantine. I'm glad Lea's bringing that quality back to the role. I can't wait to see her myself!

~Steven

[Tommycanuhearme]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 8:10am

Without a Trace: Did you see a complete cast or were there some understudies?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 8:19am

Gary Beach and Aaron Lazar were out last night...and both of their understudies were forgettable (James Chip Leonard and Nehal Joshi, respectively). I didn't think Gary Beach was too amazing in the role back in October, but I definitely missed Aaron Lazar. His voice is spectacular.

[p.s.]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 9:21am

Alex's "Bring Him Home" was perfect once again (I saw the first preview back in October). He was in perfect voice tonight. [Wednesday]

I so agree. As Alex finished "Bring him home" I was thinking -- He's really bringing it home tonight. The finish to that song was sweet.

Gary Beach and Aaron Lazar were out last night...and both of their understudies were forgettable (James Chip Leonard and Nehal Joshi, respectively). I didn't think Gary Beach was too amazing in the role back in October, but I definitely missed Aaron Lazar. His voice is spectacular.

I don't agree. James Chip Leonard doesn't do the shtick that Gary Beach does, but he was fine. He sounds, however, SO MUCH better as the Bishop than as the M.O.T.H.

Nehal Joshi, on the other hand, sounded/acted the Enjolras part beautifully. [His is usually that wonderful booming officer's voice at the barricade.] He was expressive and his singing was clear and in tune from the first note of every line. [Aaron has not been so clear the last few times I saw him.] I left last night having thoroughly enjoyed Nehal's performance and with much appreciation.

When Lea and Celia came out (together) for their curtain calls, the entire audience stood and cheered, including myself.

When Lea and Celia came out (together) for their curtain calls, the entire audience stood and cheered, including myself.


p.s. Hail Celia. Magbigay galang Lea.

[ken8631]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 9:26am

Sat in Row F center orch (6th row).

Didn't care much for James Chip Leonard portrayel of Thenardier, but have seen quite a few. Maybe he's too short, I don't know.

After "I Dreamed a Dream", wife turned to me and said, "now that's the way it's supposed to be done!". Yes, we saw Daphne, and didn't like at all in the role.

Hail Celia and Lea!

Ken

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 9:57am

I want to put in my kudos for James Chip Leonard! Although I haven't seen him on Broadway. LOVED him on tour.

Posted: 3/8/07 at 10:11am

It was great to see Les Miz again. And Lea Salonga was very good in the role. Her take on Fantine was heart-breaking because of the innocence, purity and fragility (matched by pure, clear tone) that she brings to the character (and you can understand EVERY word she sings). And you really get the sense that this was a woman who was a victim of pure misfortune. I love that she didn't play the misery too much. It especially works in I Dreamed a Dream. And I thought, it was more heart breaking this way. Nothing was over-acted. Lea Salonga is more mature here than in Flower Drum Song.

I didn't see Daphne but, in my opinion, she's a good actor. Overall, though, this production felt a bit casualized in terms of the ensemble work i.e. the urgency of the war, what's not going to be present tomorrow, etc. Also, I remember in the older version in which I saw more distinct characters, particularly, from the student barricades. In Drink With Me, everyone just kind of blended in generalized choices. In the previous productions, Feuilly (sp?), Grantaire, et al were more distinct from each other. They were individual characters. It's kind of lost in this revival. The women ensemble, however, do a lot better. Particularly, in the "Turning" reprise after the barricade went down. Really strong women in this show!

Alexander Gemignani was a fine Valjean. Vocally, he possesses the power and vulnerability (gorgeous falsetto). In Coast of Utopia, Brian O'Byrne had to play a character through decades and years and you saw it in his behavior, physical choices and voice. In Gemignani's Valjean, you don't get the sense that years passed. There was no external work in terms of aging ... it only happened when he was dying. Which was a big jump. But really, knit-picking here. It's a tremendous role and good for him!

Adam Jacobs's Marius was OK. His voice is dreamy. Fantastic range, his sound is simply gorgeous. His acting though is a bit Disney-esque. Too presentational for my taste. I was not moved by Empty Chairs. But he sounded great; and, he is a beautiful man!

Cosette was refreshing. It's the first time I've seen a youthful albeit jumpy Cosette. I think it's great and I was more drawn to her because of it.

Celia was fantastic as Eponine! She didn't play the victim role at all. Such strong, bold choices. I was very impressed. Mme. Thernadier is amazing! Wasn't crazy about the Thernadier, who was an understudy. Norm Lewis as Javert was quite a presence on stage. He is tall and beautiful and his voice is great. A bit one-noted though, in terms of his acting. And like Gemigani's Valjean, you don't get the progression of age and time.

Other than Lea Salonga, Celia Keenan Bolger, Jenny Galloway and certain moments of Alexander Gemignani, this show felt a bit flat compared to the prior productions I've seen in London and Broadway. And, I wish I'd seen the beautiful and talented Aaron Lazar as Enjolras.

Just my two cents, my fellow theater enthusiasts ...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 10:16am

Thank you, jon, for this review...and I pretty much agree with you on every point. I thought Alex was perfect throughout though...very impressive.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 10:17am

=]