Lea Salonga's Official Opening Night in Les Miserables- Page 3

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 11:00am

jon_lee, I enjoyed your work on S Club 7!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 11:44am

Wrote this in the other thread, but here it is...

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!

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.

Completely Agreed. Levine was on for Gavroche - saw him the first time. He has gotten much better and did a fantastic job.

I love the awkwardness added into HEART FULL OF LOVE between Cosette and Marius. It's funny - as it should be - and doesn't bog the show down anymore. Do not care for Ali Ewoldt who has quite a shrill voice, not as beautiful as most Cosette's.

The biggest disappointment is still Celia Keenan-Bolger's Eponine. Maybe she has the clap - or got clapped on the head - but her Eponine is deranged. It's no wonder Marius doesn't love her. Her voice is not powerful enough to make ON MY OWN last. It's odd, because this role, I thought, would have been a perfect match for her. She is a talented performer, I'll just blame Caird again.

[lesmisforever]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 11:58am

I agree about Norm's performance... he did not seem to be Javert to me. Wonderful voice, but his acting was lacking, which surprised me. I also agree about Celia- I was very disappointed in her performance. But I also agree it must be the direction they are getting. I enjoyed the two times I saw Les Mis on tour much more than the time I saw it on Broadway. I bet Lea is improving things, though! Sounds like she is.