Les Miserables Buffalo Review (spoilers)

[theatrefreak0109]

Posted: 3/4/12 at 1:05am

So tonight was my second time seeing Les Miz in a theatre and i have to say that i quite impressed. The cast is amazing J. Mark McVey, Andrew Varela, and Betsy Morgan were the definite standouts.i do wanna say that Chasten Harmon was an ok Eponine nothing about her portrayal stuck out for me and left me rather cold and Max Quinlan was a pretty good Marius and he did a good Empty Chairs but i never really felt for him either. I disliked the set design in this production, the projections felt like they were not needed except for Javert's scene at the end, but the sketches themselves are very cool. I definitely felt this production was a bit more toned down then previous versions especially Gavroche's death scene. Which has become so toned down and so comical it becomes offensive. However if you are a fan of Les Miserables see this production, the talent from J. Mark McVey and Andrew Varela are completely worth it.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 3/4/12 at 3:29am

The cast was really good. Harmon was no exception but I agree the way she was forced into portraying a sinister creeper of an Eponine with no redeeming qualities who randomly wears guys' trench coat, pants, and hat for no reason in act one left much to be desired. I could tell she is very talented and she was incredibly adorable in the video interviews I saw her in. Too bad they didn't allow any of that to shine through. First time I didn't care much for Eponine. And "On My Own" was sooooo boringly staged with only her and darkness behind her, as they brought on that wooden wall thingo to hide the set change during her big number. WoW, so modern and innovative, huh? Just like how they changed the scenery in the 1927 Showboat.

At any rate, the cast is really nifty, yes.

[boredroom]

Posted: 3/4/12 at 1:39pm

I agree with your assessment of the talent involved. J. Mark McVey is so fantastic in this role and Varela is a worthy adversary.

Has anyone heard any updates on the casting? There were auditions awhile ago and I was curious who/when the changes would take place.

[massofmen]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 12:40pm

amazing that this show can run and run on tour but it died on bway with the revival

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 1:34pm

I love Les Miserables which is why I'm a bit sorry I saw this tour.

amazing that this show can run and run on tour but it died on bway with the revival

Eh. The tour is being picked up by production companies with season ticket holders, so I'm not too surprised. And the revival was just a return of the original production that closed only 3 years earlier. It was just too soon. I hope this new staging isn't planning a Broadway run.

[massofmen]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 2:30pm

good point mr. matt.

[boredroom]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 2:32pm

I would love this new staging to go to Broadway IF McVey and Varela transfer to Broadway. Wouldn't mind Quinlan to get to Broadway also, but, mainly want McVey and Varela. (They do need to tweak the Gavroche death scene, though.

[massofmen]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 2:50pm

there is no way this is coming back to broadway. No way.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 3:45pm

Looking at it from a financial standpoint, the movie is set to come out shortly after the tour ends. A Broadway transfer (even if limited) wouldn't be a bad idea.

That said, just looking at it from the outside in.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/5/12 at 4:39pm

I think a Broadway transfer of this production would be a terrible idea especially if the film doesn't mimic some of the odd choices made in the re-staging of the show.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 3/6/12 at 5:20pm

Regardless of the similarities (or lack there of) in the production, it would boost sales. Phantom is a prime example of a film boosting grosses...

That said, I'm not saying I believe a transfer will happen, it just wouldn't be too far fetched.