Les Miserables 1/25

I finally got to see Les Mis on Thursday night. I had pretyt good seats in the back of the center orchestra (row S). The only bad part about those seats was not being able to see the top of the barricades.

Overall, it is a very good show. The cast is exceptionally talented.

The Prologue was great. It really drew me into the show. A good start.

I was blown away by Alex Gemignani as Valjean. I really don't think I could have asked for better. His voice was incredible, and his acting was spot-on. I feel like he really captured Valjean's emotions very well.

Daphne Rubin-Vega was (for me) the one weak point of the show. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" was painful to listen to. I will admit, though, that she's not a bad actress. I was expecting an all-around horror (from what I'd heard), and that is not what I got. Vocally, she is wrong for the show. I heard some happy murmurs around me when Fantine died.

The two youngest performers in the show, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Jacob Levine, were wonderful. Carly sang beautifully, although she was a little hard to hear at times. Jacob played a smart little Gavroche.

Gary Beach and Jenny Galloway were hysterical as the Thenardiers. "Master of the House" was fun to watch.

Norm Lewis was a good Javert. "Stars" was gorgeous to listen to.

Ali Ewoldt and Adam Jacobs were a great pair. Both are very strong singers and actors. Adam's "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was heartbreaking and beautiful.

Aaron Lazar - I loved him as Fabrizio, and he did not disappoint as Enjolras. His voice, especially at the beginning of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" gives me chills.

I think I pretty much covered everything. I really did enjoy the show. I plan on going back to see it again, but with Lea Salonga as Fantine.

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what did you think of Celia as Eponine?

i actually liked this les miz "revival", 2nd favorite after i saw it at the broadway, imperial, and in london queens

I can't believe I left Celia out! I really enjoyed her performance. I have nothing to compare her to, but I thought she was wonderful. Her death scene was very touching.

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And did Valjean always die in a chair at the end? I've seen les mis 8 times but I can't remember if this is how it always way?

I've never seen Valjean not die in the chair.

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http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=542374

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What were the casting directors thinking when they cast her as Fantine?

She was pretty much hand-picked by John Caird:

Question: How did the role of Fantine come about for you?
Daphne Rubin-Vega: John Caird came to see the Rent 10 [anniversary] benefit [concert]. I didn't know him at the time, but at the after party, the loud and raucous after party, one of the producers of Rent introduced me to John, and in the midst of it all, he said something like, "Wouldn't she make a great Fantine?" At the time I had no idea that they were considering doing a revival of Les Miz, but it sort of put this little bee in my bonnet, and . . . I [told] my agent, "You know what, I'm interested in going in for that."

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I was there Thursday night in row R on the right. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I saw the revival two other times in January, but I thought Daphne was at her best Thursday night. It was the strongest singing I had heard from her Fantine. I didn't hear any sounds of joy when she died. I also disagree about the girl playing Little Cosette that night. Her singing was disappointing. It was whiney and hokey. (I'm not majoring in music or voice, so I don't know the exact wording for what she was doing wrong). A couple people around me were laughing quietly. But I guess we were just sitting around different people.

sorry you didn't like Daphne. But i'm glad to hear she just keeps getting stronger. I LOVED her in this and while i know i'm in the miniority...it's nice to know there are a few others who got something out of her performance. I love her I Dreamed a Dream!

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Oh dear! Don't listen to the OBC if you can help it.

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When exactly does Daphne leave? I thought she had already left.
I think the schedule is as follows:
Daphne's last performance is Sunday 2/18.
Then Nikki Renee Daniels Tuesday 2/20 to Sunday 3/4,
except for Haviland Stillwell Saturday evening 2/28.
Lea Salonga starts Tuesday 3/6.

Wouldn't it be great to catch each of the different performances?

p.s. Aside from how much I can't wait to see/hear Lea as Fantine -- someday I'd love for Lea and Celia to switch roles for one or two performances.

"Oh dear! Don't listen to the OBC if you can help it."
I know there are lots of cast recordings of this show . . .

What made me cry last Wednesday night was learning that there are no current plans for a revival cast recording.
[The feeling is that there already exist enough cast recordings.]

p.s. And no current plans to readdress the plans after March 7th.

About the revival cast recording...

...is there anything we (as consumers) can do to push the issue? Who do we need to send e-mails to?

p.s. I LOVED DAPHNE AS FANTINE!!! I see where everyone is coming from and can respect that, and, i thought she was raw, and brilliant!! Because i was front row center i could really see the reality she brought to the role...i love her!