Les Mis Revival = YUCK!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:33pm

Was not happy!

I've seen this show over 60 times. I was so excited about the revival. I now find myself wishing it never returned.

The bad:

The orchestrations - Just awful. Sounds like there are 5 instruments in the pit.

Celia - was never a fan and I hated her here. Sure she has a lovely voice but I hate eponines who are "lovely". She plays the role the same way everyone else after Ruffelle played her. Nobody can top Frances in this role.

Adam Jacobs - Annoyed me the whole time.

The good:

Gemignani - He has always been amazing so there was no surprise here. I actually liked his Valjean a lot. Too bad his supporting cast was nowhere near as good.

Daphne - She was AWESOME!! Fantastic actress!! I always thought Daphne would make a better Eponine (in her day) and I was nervous for her Fantine but she was a delight. Her "Dreamed a Dream" was so raw and heartbreaking.

Lazaar - AMAZING!! My favorite since Maguire.

Too tired to write anymore. I will not be seeing it again until they hire some more musicians and get rid of 90% of the cast.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:35pm

You didn't like Gary Beach?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:37pm

You didn't like Gary Beach?

No.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:38pm

He looks excellent in the press reels I've seen!

Although I'm not a Les Miz fan.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:42pm

While I wasn't able to see Alex in the role, I have to disagree with you about Daphne's performance. I was simply not a fan. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed Celia, Adam, Gary, Jenny, and Norm.

How did you feel about Norm's Javert?

ETA: Dis in disagree. Woops. Updated On: 11/12/06 at 04:42 PM

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:44pm

I hear that Norm was miscast.

[popculture37]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:46pm

Interesting about Celia...I thought one of the best things about her portrayal of Eponine was that she DIDN'T make her just lovely, she seemed a lot more like the half-crazed Marius stalker that Victor Hugo gave us rather than the pretty waif like many actresses have played her. Most of the complaints I've heard have been that she isn't "sweet" enough, which seems like the opposite of what you're saying.
I agree with you about Daphne though, she is fantastic.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 4:47pm

I have to agree with you about Daphne's performance. I was simply not a fan.

I WAS a fan of Daphne. I thought she was great!!

Norm was OK. I wasn't impressed.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 5:12pm

Throughly enjoyed it except for DRV

[mentaltenant]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 5:31pm

Glad you appreciated Daphne. I've finally heard her "I Dreamed a Dream" and I think it's one of the most heart-breaking, raw, amazing performances I've ever heard. Granted, I'm a huge fan of hers but I was expecting the worst and got the best.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 5:40pm

Thanks for the report, Ciaron. I have been curious to hear about the new orchestrations.

" I will not be seeing it again until they hire some more musicians and get rid of 90% of the cast."

The only way Cameron will hire more musicians will be if the show relocates to a theater that has a higher orchestra minimum.

[theonlyone]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:04pm

How is Cosette?

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:10pm

I hate Les Mis but I liked the new cast...hmmm Daphne was umm different i kept wanting to see Patti Lupone belt out I dremed a dream,but she was not there Daphne was not bad different... just different... love her acting!

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:10pm

Thanks for the review. I have to make sure to get tickets to see Daphne Rubin-Vega before her leave in January. I have always admired her acting, I particularly enjoyed her in Anna in the Tropics so I do expect her to approach the role dramatically rather than musically which should provide a different yet enjoyable touch to Fantine.
I did not have the chance to see Frances Ruffelle in the original Broadway production though I've enjoyed her acting in Chicago and in her cabaret act. Honestly, all the times I've seen Les Miz, I've expected someone to blow me away like Ruffelle does on recording and no one really has.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:48pm

After hearing an awful rendition of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" over the summer at some theatre I was on my knees thanking God for adam. I thought he was cute.

Yes. Lazar was amazing. Swoon.

I thought Cosette was a bit weak. But she, like adam, was cute.

And I agree that daphne is a great actress, and I can definately see where people get impressed with her fantine...but... to me Fantine is weak. She's just a weak person and Daphne is too tough for me to be happy with the performance.

I actually agree with Celia though. I mean, I just didn't think much of her. I didn't like her at all in Spelling Bee, and her "On My Own" just wasn't enough for me. But she really does have a lovely voice.

[Eponine913]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 6:58pm

Celia's Eponine was intresting, for instance, at the part when she goes, "I've got you worried now I have, that shows you like me quite alot," she said it so that it made half the audience laugh, and I thought that was a little strange, but I like how she made the role her own. Daphne was intresting as well, even though there has been better Fantine's she was still good.

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 7:14pm

I'm glad to see that Aaron Lazar is getting so many good reviews I loved him in Light in the Piazza. Hopfully I will be able to see the show soon.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 7:21pm

Can someone please tell me what this show's about?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 7:45pm

Jean Valjean, no evildoer,
Stole some bread 'cause he was poor.
A detective chased him through a sewer.
The end.
Updated On: 11/12/06 at 07:45 PM

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 7:45pm

It's about 3 hours of the same chord progression where after each person sings a solo they die.

Oh, and everyone spins around on a top.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:23pm

daphne was really good

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:26pm

i kept wanting to see Patti Lupone belt out I dremed a dream -Broadway Boy

I saw Patti in london. I was very young but I liked her a lot!!

I did not have the chance to see Frances Ruffelle in the original Broadway production - FoscaBoheme

I saw Frances play Eponine a bunch of times, including her return to the London production. She was and still is the definitive Eponine. I understand some people do not like her vice but she acted the hell out of that part. She was so different from both Cosette and Marius. She had the rawness and the dirty street urchin quality essential to the role.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:28pm

Thanks for the review. My mom and I were planning to see this for her birthday, but it never worked out. We both love the show and it's too bad the revival isn't as good as it could be.

[KQuill]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:31pm

I think you should go see it and and then form your own opinion

I find a lot of reviews to be overcritical...

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:38pm

This is true. But a lot of people have been saying it's less than par. However, it is live theatre and some nights, as I know, are your off nights. Or off weeks, as it may be.

We would go, but we have no money. Well, we went to see "George M. Cohan Tonight!" instead because it's in Worcester and the tickets were 35 a piece.