Les Miserables (11.21.06)

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 3:09am

In the spring of 2005, I took part in my high school's mounting of LES MISERABLES, playing the role of Jean Valjean. Now, I did that show not having seen the production on Broadway (or in London, for that matter), and yet, I feel that the company's performance was top-notch all around. Now, as for this revival...I must say, being my first LesMiz experience (where I'm not performing the title role) I was BLOWN AWAY!

Alexander Gemignani (Valjean) and Norm Lewis (Javert) work amazingly well together. The chemistry leaps off of the stage at the Broadhurst and envelopes you like nothing I have ever seen. Both of their voices are incredible -- full of raw emotion and nothing's forced, nothing's cheapened. Contrary to popular (and I do mean POPULAR) belief, I wholeheartedly feel that Daphne Rubin-Vega's performance as Fantine was spot-on! Yes, her voice is DIFFERENT and YES it is NOT 'traditional Fantine', but what it is ORIGINAL and AUTHENTIC. I'm not afraid to admit it -- Yes, I shed a few tears during "I Dreamed a Dream" -- Powerful performance throughout.

The roaring baritone of Aaron Lazar (Enjolras), the incomparable boyish charm of Adam Jacobs (Marius), the enchantment that beamed from the ever-so-beautiful, Ali Ewoldt (Cosette) and the hard-hitting, awe-inspiring originality and spunk of Celia Keenan-Bolger (Eponine) deserve their own nods of recognition. The kids were wonderful additions as well; Little Cosette's "Castle on a Cloud" was adorable! Gary Beach and Jenny Galloway deserve special mention, however, for putting on their A-game (from "Master of the House" through "Beggars at the Feast") and I cannot tell you just how much enjoyment THE TNEIRE HOUSE got from the antics and such. Truly spectacular casting, in my humble opinion.

The new orchestrations are something to hear - I feel that they work. The Broadhurst is VERY intimate, and I feel that the way the score has been rehashed and worked over a bit, the theatre is the PERFECT location to sell it in. You're swept away by the trumpets, the booming drums, the piano, and all the rest. The lighting's fabulous, the sets (as seen in the National Tours) is superb ... Every which aspect of this show blew my mind. I am a diehard LESMIZ fan, and I must take this opportunity to send-out the most warmhearted and sincere well wishes and "THANKS" to the cast, crew, creative, orchestra, etc., etc., etc. for taking me away for 3 hours this past evening. Now, if you haven't seen it, please, please, please MAKE AN EFFORT to purchase a ticket! Take your family, take your friends, and take your loves, your dears, your joys. Revel in the majesty, the beauty, the everlasting message of hope and faith and love and everything that comes along with it. Venture somewhere beyond the barricade, dream a dream of times gone by, where in your life, all your questions and answers just somehow seem wrong, swear by the stars, and pull up a chair, raise a glass, if only on your own. Don't wait in the shadows at the end of the day ... See LES MISERABLES!

[NJRae]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:24am

Great review. And so glad you enjoyed Daphne! I'm always so nervous reading these reviews . . . always worried about what is going to be said about her next!

I can't wait to see the show again. I just loved it. I have tickets to one more performance but seeing this show twice is never going to be enough. I sent out e-mails to all of my theater going friends telling them that I was "shopping around" for someone to see Les Mis with, lol.

Well, glad you so thoroughly enjoyed it. Question though: did you go to the stage door? I'm just curious about the disappearing, reappearing barrier. One day it is there, the next gone. Did they have the barrier up when you were there? Was the stage door as much of a mob scene as it has been?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:32am

Thank you for this review This show has been my obession and #1 favorite my entire life. I am so glad oyu enjoyed it.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 8:55am

I was at the show last night as well.

I'll say that I agree 100% with your thoughts on how wonderful Gemignani and Lewis were. Their chemistry was incredible. I also agree that Celia Keenan-Bolger was pretty amazing and I honestly wasn't expecting to feel that way.

I'll add that I couldn't disagree more about Daphne Rubin-Vega and I'll leave it at that.

Glad that you had a wonderful time.

The only thing that I am ready to add right now is that the energy in the audience was extremely high.

[elphieandglindabffl]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 9:16am

hey LimelightMike!
I'm in Les Miserables the high school version and I play Gavroche. yes I am a girl at age 14, but I was the only one with the right voice range and we didn't have that many boys audition and none of them are short. but i really want to see les mis on broadway now, cause now I get the story after hearing and acting these songs out so many times. I too did not kow anything about this musical other than that people die by getting shot. This musical is extreamly moving! I'm glad you got to see Les Mis LimelightMike and got a chance to play Jean Valjean, that is an extreamly tough role to play.
And I also agree with you... SEE LES MIS!!!!!!! It is moving and extreamly powerful, hopefully it would be an experience you would never forget or regret.

[mattnyc2]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 9:30am

Great review. I'm glad you enjoyed the show as much as I did!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 3:53pm

Thanks so, so, so much for all of the positivity this review is getting. It's my first here on BroadwayWorld, so it really does mean a lot to me! As to the 'stage door' question, YES, I did wait after the show! I snagged six autographs (Gemignani, Lewis, Ewoldt, Lazar, Jacobs, and Beach) and I took pictures with Gary, Norm, and Alex. Celia and Daphne just kind of 'ran-off' LoL and Jenny Galloway pretty much disappeared after the curtain call ... All in all, a pretty radical experience for me. Ever since I saw FAME BECOMES ME last August, I've tried the stage door thing, and it's worked (thankfully enough!) The barrier was (in fact) in place last night. There was a MOB of people (some angry, some just really, really excited, I guess - LoL) Great bunch of people, except for the elderly gentleman next to me who wouldn't let me squeeze on by for certain individuals. Hee!

Does that answer your question, my friend?

[fengshuihellnyc]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 4:02pm

Did they have Merchandise at the show yet. Specifically posters

[NJRae]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 4:14pm

Thanks. Yup, that answered my question! I hope the barrier stays. Odd that Daphne snuck out . . . that isn't really like her. But I guess sometimes it just can't be helped!

Glad you had a good stage door experience, minus the slightly rude guy, lol.

fengshuihellnyc had a good question though. Any merchandise yet? I know they keep saying "soon" or "next week" but I wonder if they are ever really going to get any

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 4:27pm

I wasn't aware the show was called "Jean ValJean."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 5:31pm

Or "lesmiz."

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 5:33pm

You're nothing if not consistent, Lizzie.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 5:34pm

I hate to disappoint!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 5:51pm

With all due respect, Lizzie, I surely didn't mean to give off that kind of vibe. I am simply taking into account my history with the show, and how it holds a very, very, VERY special place in my heart -- Please, don't take it the wrong way...My apologies for shedding some light.

Moving on...

There was no merch. on-hand last night. Or at least, I didn't take notice of anything. Several patrons came in to the theatre sporting t-shirts and the like, but I didn't see any posters, shirts, or anything of the sort. Thanks again for teh POSITIVE feedback - It being my first here at BroadwayWorld. With such a vast array of wonderful Theatre Folk; sharing smiles, swapping stories, and reveling in all that is: "Musical Theatre" -- I thank you, I thank you, I thank you. Here's to many more experiences on the Great White Way!



Best,
- Mike

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:19pm

I agree, you're review was spot on of how I felt for the most part. =D.

We need some of these reviews to reach the people who are in control of making a new recording.

[lucydee]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:20pm

Thank You LimelightMike for sharing your thoughts
about Les Miserables. You couldn't of said it better!
Well Done!

I can't wait until tomorrow night to see the show again.

Thanks!

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:48pm

Spread the Miz love and appreciation! I agree with all of your review.