Les Mis Revival = YUCK!- Page 2

[KQuill]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:54pm

Ok gotcha - it would just kill me if someone decided not to go because of these harsh reviews that are really nit-picking. There's nothing wrong with that - but I think there's a huge difference between critisism and wether or not you will enjoy yourself, because that's what it's about afterall isnt it?

Personally, I don't see how anyone could see this cast and not feel like they got their moneys worth - hell i'd pay that much to see just Gary Beach - but hey, that's just me.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:58pm

KQuill is correct. You should form your own opinion of the show. My review is really for people who have seen the show many times and were waiting for this revival. It is very disapointing. If you have never seen the show before you might like it a lot.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:07pm

Not to go off-topic, but I have always wondered why people dislike Frances Ruffelle's voice. Her rendition of "On My Own" is so heartbreaking on recording, and even seeing her perform her short solo during "One Day More" in the Tony Awards ceremony you get a preview of her commanding and haunting characterization of Eponine. Not Lea Salonga or Sutton Foster ever made me feel so involved with Eponine's emotional journey in the show. Ruffelle is a wonderful actress, IMO, and I have admired her work whether it is in the Les Miz cast recording, her spectacular turn as Roxie Hart, her demo recording of Miss Saigon, or her great cabaret act. /End of threadjack, sorry Ciaron.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:10pm

Fosca feel free to jack anything I create =)

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:37pm

What about Gary Beach did you not like?

[javertim]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:46pm

Neomystyk29, who did you see as Valjean? I'd like to hear all about either of his understudies.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:46pm

My wife said it was hard to hear some of the lyrics in the songs he was singing & that he was overmugging

[NJRae]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:46pm

Well, glad to hear you enjoyed Daphne at least! I just saw the show tonight for the first time ever and not only loved it but totally don't get why everyone is bashing Daphne. Of course I had never seen the show before nor heard any recording of it and granted I am a huge fan, but I thought she was phenominal. Honestly, much as I love her I had no idea she could sound quite like that. Thought she was awesome.

[o.0]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 9:58pm

As for the Valjean understudies, I saw Victor Hawks last night. They warned us at the beginning that he had "minimal rehearsal". He really seemed to set on getting all the notes out that he forgot to act the role. He had a very nice voice though; he could hit all the notes. But I didn't hear much change in his performance; he sounded the same when he died as when he got out of the chain gang. He was also a little short for Valjean; Norm Lewis seemed to be towering over him. But, even with minimal rehearsal, he got through it smoothly, and he seemed to adjust pretty well to the role. I think if he plays it a few more times he'll become much more comfortable with it.

[NJRae]

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

I have nothing to compare him to, but I really thought he acted the role well today. Could hear a change in his voice from scene to scene and definitely heard a change when he was dying. I never would have guessed he had had less than three days of rehearsal!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:20pm

poor
does not rhyme with
sewer

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:31pm

"KQuill is correct. You should form your own opinion of the show. My review is really for people who have seen the show many times and were waiting for this revival. It is very disapointing. If you have never seen the show before you might like it a lot. "

Oh! You guys totally misunderstood me! I am one of those folks who has seen the show numerous times and was very excited about the revival.
;D

No worries.

I really would like to see it before the run ends. And I still need to see Company too. So hopefully, I'll get around to seeing them when I have my next break.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 8:37am

So, how tall is Victor Hawks?

[Colle]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 9:24am

I try to not pay that much attention to bad reviews of shows that I like. Anyway, I did want to answer why I don't like Frances Ruefelle's voice as Eponine, I think it is gets too whiny and I don't see Eponine as like that. As for Celia, from most of the reviews I have seen about her, and listening to her in "Spelling Bee" I think I would like her as Eponine.



Updated On: 11/13/06 at 09:24 AM

[lightinthepizza]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 10:05am

Frances Ruffelle's voice is too "whinny"? Yes, I hate it when people sing like horses.

Spell-check is my sacred text -- I am a librarian and sorceress. So don't think I'm being cruel, I'm just in a silly mood.

[p.s.]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 10:24am

Victor Hawks appeared to be maybe 5' 9". But when I saw him arrive at the stage door (Sunday, about 2:15pm) (I'm pretty sure it was him) I recognized him only as the bald guy from Thenardier's Gang (I didn't even know his name -- Brujon).

I love Celia's Eponine. She seems to me to be portraying Eponine as two steps up from Anybodys, Tomboy of West Side Story, rather than a half-step down from Cosette. ( I think Eponine is slightly younger than Cosette -- and remember, she (at least when wrapped in her overcoat) does get mistaken for a boy). Celia is perfect.

p.s. Hail Celia!

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 10:24am

Again, have seen the show 20 times... Loved Celia, hated Daphne (but maybe she's improved?)....

[winston89]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 11:54am

I saw it on the 11th. the announcment said that Alexandar had taken ill and even though they just opened two days ago they were still going to have victor go on. I know that they don't reherse sp? the understudies till after they open. But, I know that there are actors who are understudies who take it upon themselves to study the part before they go into rehersals just in case something happens. I don't know if Victor did this or not. But, he was good. I also would not have noticed him at the stage door if it wasn't for daphine. DRV came out the same time as he did and pointed to him and said to everyone "Jean Valjean everyone." If itwasn't for that then I don't think I would have noticed him. He did spend more time singing the role then acting but You have to give him the bennifit of the doubt. It was his first time one and they did just open on that thursday. He will be fine I know it.

[Moooo1]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 2:14pm

$111.25/ticket. That's what I paid for a trimmed down version of Les Miserables. My wife and I have seen this show 8 times and usually know just what to expect. We were so dissapointed at Sunday's (11/12) matinee. We bought these tickets over the Summer thinking we were going to experience our favorite musical in all its glory. We were wrong.
The new orchestrations using roughly 15 musicians were so sparce that not only could we not hear them but the singers lost their place several times because I'm guessing they couldn't hear either. The overture that usually hits you like a ton of bricks started off with a whimper and honk and squeeked through the show.
We were greeted with the announcement about Alex Gemignani's sickness and the disclaimer that Victor Hawks would go on with "very little" rehearsal. That alone was pretty scary 4 days after opening considering that we had to pay full price to watch what amounted to a "put-in" rehearsal. Victor did a great job under the circumstances and when he gets comfortable will probably be fine. It is hard to take him seriously when he proclaims that he is a "stronger man by far" from 18 inches below Javert's nose.
Norm lewis was good but he sometimes lacked the conviction that past actors have had.
Daphne Rubin-Vega was a train wreck.
The Thenardiers were the best I've ever seen.
Everyone else was good but not great.
With this trimmed down version the voices count even more than usual and sometimes they just didn't carry the song that well.

Cameron Macintosh has gone out of his way to make this show an epic theater experience in the past. We've had the "Dream Cast", several cast albums, and the "Symphonic Recordings" that for some have become their standard recording. To go from those lush beautiful recordings to a summer stock size orchestra in a postage stamp theater was a let down. This show was not meant to be a small intimate piece and it certainly failed as such. If I had paid $50 in Houston to see this I would have thought it was a good road show, but to bring it back to Broadway in this way is an insult to those of us that love the show for everything it used to be.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 2:39pm

Just because this Valjean was shorter than Javert does not negate his strength. Just because someone is shorter does not mean he is weaker. He says stronger man by far, not taller!

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 2:41pm

Plus, were you looking at Victor Hawks? He's a built like a mack truck!

[bella cantato]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 2:52pm

I am thoroughly confused, at this point, about Celia. I hear "too sweet" "too tomboyish" "more like the book" which all seem to contradict each other. I mean, I can understand the inconsitencies in Daphne's reviews because it's more a matter of taste than anything, but how can there be such diverse opinions on HOW Celia portrays her character (as opposed to whether you like it or not?)

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:03pm

Come to think of it ..I can't recall many tall Valjeans (over 5'11). Most of the Javerts' I've known or seen tower over them. The tallest and youngest Valjean that I've seen was Rob Evan (27 and stands about 6'3").

Getting back to casting or cast recording... I've been telling y'all, MacIntosh has his own agenda and originally had/has no plans to extend or record this puppy. From the reception/reviews it's gotten thusfar, less than 1 week after opening, it may have a holiday flurry for Nov-Dec. but will fly outta here come spring. If I'm wrong, you can tie me to a pole on the LM turntable and throw rotten fruit at me!

He's got other things in the wind. (Everyone from Elmer Fudd to Bobcat Goldwaite has played Valjean. Did you really expect a super star cast of former Mizzie actors for 6 mos. Well, Mac Sure didn't either).

Go. Enjoy. It's a short runner! :)

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:23pm

how can there be such diverse opinions on HOW Celia portrays her character (as opposed to whether you like it or not?)

Well I think it all comes down who people are comparing her too. It's hard to compare any of them to the book because the show is a pop opera.

I compare all Eponines I have seen to Frances Ruffelle. Celia, who I have never been a fan of, really annoyed me in the revival. She's just not Eponine. I don't know how to describe it.

[Colle]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:52pm

PB ENT, just because MacIntosh "has his own agenda" doesn't stop fans from having high expectations for Les Mis, or from some people wanting a cast recording. I hope you are wrong, and that show gets extended, only because I want this revival to do well.