I too saw the show last night.
I agree, Lea was fantastic. such an exciting experience to see someone who you've admired on recording..live for the first time. Lea gave great fragility to the role while at the same time, not making the character weak. Her dreamed a dream was fantastic. as was her death scene. you really sensed hallucinations and that the end was near.
This was my first time seeing the "revival". Having seen the original and also having seen it done in high schools twice. I must say this is the freshest i've seen les mis. as such, the relationships were so clear, i picked up a lot of subtle things that i've never realized before. this was a treat. It's the first time i've ever cried during les mis, something i was really not expecting to happen. I dreamed a dream, a little fall of rain, bring him home, and the finale all got to me. It was an emotional experience.
This was the first time i was hot with the scope of the piece and how much ground they cover.
overall, this production seems a lot...quieter. there was several times where they didn't belt, etc. in places i assumed they would. i dont know if it was because it was the second show of the day or if this is the usual proceeding. i think it worked for the most part, made it much more...cathartic and made it much more about the characters inner emotions.
Celia was utterly phenominal at acting the part of eponine. Eponine for some reason remains one of my fave characters in musical history. Celia's performence was everything i think the character should be. she didnt play herself as a victime, which is essential. she was brassy outwardly, and damaged inside. her little fall of rain was absoluetly astonishing. one of the best played deaths i've seen onstage. I usually am not a fan of this number, but for some reason...it really got to me. i looove how she goes to kiss him at the end and doesnt. it all the other productions shes suceeded with the kiss. I think her dying as shes going to makes it so much more... dramatically sastiating.
I loved cosette's retooled costumes, it think it works wonderfully and adds alot to the character. I think this is probably the first time i've liked character of cossette. though, both younger and older's singing was a little off.
alexander gemignani works soooo hard in the role. he was astonishing... at first i was unsure but he was just... incredible. i dont even have the words. he moved me so much.
it seemed much more about the relationships with this production. and gemignani nailed valjean. i truly got that he was doing everything for cossette.
overall, an amazing night at the theater.
which is what les mis should be, which is what i hope it remains to be. I really hope they keep it fresh and once it begins to go as stale as past productions, they close it.
sigh...oh lea, you're fantastic. fin.
""the gays love their presents. just wave something shiny in front of their faces, you can get whatever you want. Thats how we got manhattan from the gay indians" -Karen (W&G)"
