Les Mis Revival Predictions

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:14pm

How long do you think it will be before Les Mis is revived? Predictions anyone?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:18pm

Hopefully...never.

I know, I know, surprised? But I just feel like it had a great run and came at a great time.

I feel like, save for s few scenes, it's simple, yet complex staging and design made it great.

I would rather have the national tour go around and not have Les Mis on B'way.

Now, of course, I'd see it if it were revived...there are things that can be improved...but it's one of those shows that left a historic mark on Broadway, and a revival would ruin that.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:20pm

yeah I understand hwo you feel. I just saw it in London tho, and it made me wish that it were playing in NY so I could go see it all the time. I guess if they did a revival I would want them to do it exactly like the original production, lol.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:22pm

When I saw it in London about a year after it closed here I felt the same way- I missed it. The thing with a revival is that the musical/play has to be gone long enough to be missed or else its virtually doomed (unless its MAGNIFICENT or has a gigantic name person in it.) So for Les Mis, I hope it does come back in revival form but not until the very far future and even then with great respect to the way its being done now and was done on Broadway.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:22pm

I kind of wish it were revived.. and kind of not. I mean, as mentioned, it left a historic mark on Broadway and that's not something that can be touched.

But I've only seen the national touring production once, I don't know when it's coming back through here, and I think it'd be really nice to have Les Mis at the Imperial again. And if they do revive it, they need to have Kevin Kern as Marius again so I can see him. Haha.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:30pm

When I saw DRS I tripped on that Les Mis plaque thing on teh sidewalk outside the theatre, and only just then realized it was the theatre Les Mis had been in, and kinda got a little upset it wasn't open anymore. I think seeing anotehr show in its theatre made it like official.

[sanda]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:32pm

It HAS to be revived. Well, maybe there is little space left to be improved or re-interpret. But, OMG, I miss the show so much.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:33pm

Give it AT LEAST 15 to 20 years, so 2020 to 2025 so

Updated On: 9/8/05 at 01:33 PM

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:35pm

I'd much rather see it not get revived and give amateur and stock actor a chance at it. And i do NOT mean that godawful "Jr." version.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:37pm

15 to 20??? oi vey guess i'll be going to London a lot.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:37pm

<---As has been. Los Miserables, Madrid.

Anyway, the problem with Les Mis is in it's direction. Nunn did a great job, but my fear is some director who tries to do it completely different.

It needs to flow, and cannot allow for set changes...not the BWay version, at least. That's why the turn table was so effective.

But the story itself is VERY confusing to many people. Especially if I revival comes along, in 20 years or so...

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:40pm

Yeah my sister could not follow the story, I mean she was 10, but still she saw it maybe 3 times, and never really got it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:43pm

I mean, look at A Chorus Line. That also ran for 15 years and spawned touring companies all over the world. It's getting revived next year, 16 years after it closed and there are a LOT of people who are wondering if that's too soon for a show that's already been seen by millions worldwide. We'll see how audiences receive it next year.

Generally, producers try and wait 20 years before reviving a long running hit show (there are some exceptions -- and most of those came back too soon and flopped).

[Dre2387]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:48pm

chorus line closed 16 years ago? i swear I saw it up. And I couldn't have been 2 when it closed. hmmm.

i think they should wait maybe a few more years. Then i can audition for it! lol. No, but it sort of reminds me how 4 years after 9/11, their making 2 movies about it. It just seems wrong.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:56pm

It's easy once you get it. You look back and say, how'd I never get it.

PROLOGUE

• Valjean is released on parole from prison, headed by Javert.
  
• He cannot find work because he is a con.
  
• He is welcomed into the home of the Bishop of Digne.
  
• At night, he sneaks away, stealing the Bishop's silver.
  
• He is caught by the police.
  
• When returned to the Bishop, the Bishop says Valjean did not steal anything. IN FACT, he forgot two silver candlesticks.
  
• The Bishop tells Valjean to use the silver for good.
  
• Valjean rips up his passport jaune, his ticket of leave, (an illegal act) to start a new life.
  
  ACT ONE
  
• Years later, Valjean (as Monsieur Madaleine) now owns a button factory (he bought with the silver) and is the mayor of a town.
  
• A woman named Fantine works at the factory. She had a child out of wedlock, living with an inkeeper and his wife, to whom she sends money.
  
• The other women at the factory do not like Fantine, and to get her fired, they tell the foremen Valjean would not approve of Fantine's behavior.
  
• Fantine is fired and takes to the streets as a prostitute.
  
• A man, Bamatabois (a rich man), tries to buy Fantine, but he is too crude and vulgar.
  
• She slaps him and the cops arrive.
  
• Javert, now chief of police, is ready to take a sick Fantine to prison after Bamatabois lies to him about what happened (he says Fantine attacked him out of the blue).
  
• Valjean arrives and recognizes Fantine.
  
• Realizing she is sick, Valjean says he will take her under his care. He has her brought to the hospital.
  
• Just then, a sales cart breaks away from the horses and crashes into a man, Fauchelevent.
  
• Valjean, who is known for his stregnth, lifts the cart and saves the man.
  
• Javert is reminded of an ex-con, Valjean with the same type of stregnth. He tells Valjean, whom he does not recognize completely, that they found Valjean and he is coming to court.
  
• Valjean is now faced with a moral dilemma: if he speaks out, he'll be arrested; if he stays silent, and innocent man (who likes like Valjean) will be put in jail.
  
• In the end, because of the Bishop's kind act, most likely, Valjean appears at the court and tells everyone who he is, by exposing a brand on his chest.
  
• He runs away, trailed by Javert, to the hospital to see Fantine.
  
• He feels like her misfortune is his fault (as she was fired from his factory) and promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette.
  
• Javert arrives as Fantine dies.
  
• Valjean and Javert have a fight.
  
• Valjean escapes as the winner.
  
  

Etc.

I could go on if y'all want.

Updated On: 9/8/05 at 01:56 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:05pm

A Chorus Line closed April 28, 1990 (I remember it very clearly -- one of my best friends from high school was in the final cast).

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=3752

The revival is set to open September 21, 2006.

Updated On: 9/8/05 at 02:05 PM

[Dre2387]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:09pm

the women at the factory don't get her fired cause they say she insulted his "manhood." it's cause they make up that she is a prostitue on the side to make money to send to her child out of wedlock and they tell the foreman that the boss (Valjean) wouldn't approve of that behavoir.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:12pm

I know...but they do (especially in the book)...

"She'll be laughing at you while she's having her men"

And what was the Foreman JUST doing with Fantine? Groping her. But I was too lazy to explain any more...lol.

I dunno why I picked that part to focus on.

But I changed it, thanks. Updated On: 9/8/05 at 02:12 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:55pm

I think Nunn's direction of Les Mis is lazy and uninspired. Actors waving a flag and running around the stage in circles is hardly ground-breaking direction. I love the music (though some of it can and should be trimmed). Oh, and Fantine is fired because she won't sleep with the Foreman. It's justified by claims that she's a prostitute on the side.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:58pm

Everybody has basically seen it. I mean it ran 16 yrs. 16 yrs x 8 perf x 100+ people. So basically, it would never last because most people saw it and spent a lot fo money on it. It's way to soon. Give it at least 20 years.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 3:14pm

With the right marketing plan tho, somethign like Phantom's "Remember your first time", I'm sure people could be convinced to see it again in less than 20 years. Maybe like 5 to 10?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 3:29pm

You don't want to have to CONVINCE people, you want them to want to see it.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:21pm

Dude, the show just closed! Way to early to be talking about revivals.

Besides, it's been touring like crazy and still doing well. The tour can tide the Les Mis fanatics over for a couple of years.

[corsairstw]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:28pm

I would really like a Les Misérables movie musical to be filmed. With the right director and the right actors/singers, it could be very impressive.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:18pm

"And what was the Foreman JUST doing with Fantine? Groping her. But I was too lazy to explain any more...lol."

No, the factory girl wanted her gone the entire time. My favorite way to see this scene is when the foreman and factory girl are obviously an item. She's the one who convinces him to fire Fantine.