#1
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!
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!
This show has been my obession and #1 favorite my entire life. I am so glad oyu enjoyed it.
Hee! 
