Les Miserables Reviews — Page 3

"Daphne Rubin-Vega's dusky voice is well suited to the wounded, doomed Fantine." -Elysa Gardner, USA Today

I'd really like to know what drugs Miss Gardner is on. Even the devote Daphne fans and the minority of those who enjoyed her in this role admit her voice is completely out of range for Fantine. Heck, anyone that is familiar with both her and the show period would be able to tell you that her singing is hardly right for it, regardless of whether or not it works in the context of her portrayal.

In regards to the reviews Daphne is getting in general, I'm not really suprised. They're not as bad as some of us thought they'd be, but they certaintly aren't as glowing as others are interpreting them either. Basically, the critics feel that her acting choices are innovative and daring, and that her voice is horrid.

I can't say I disagree..

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Updated On: 11/10/06 at 11:19 AM

NJRae, I disagree. I don't think the reception to Rubin-Vega has been either to the extremes of loving or hating her. As I said above, I found most of the professional critics response to her mixed. Most commended her for attempting to take the character in a new direction with her acting choices, but almost all of them recognized that her singing diminished the power and quality of "I Dreamed A Dream."

Hardly any critic loved her (although quite a few did seem to dislike her.)

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Updated On: 11/10/06 at 11:31 AM

I was there last night, ... audience was NUTS, although, it was the roughest performance I've seen this cast give (Walt's third time).

My fifth, but first time way way up and back.
Performance was not as strong as most recent previews, notably Sunday and Wednesday night (preview performances earlier than those should by now be forgot)-- but the Broadway Theater experience was amazing.
Despite the fact that so much of the opening night audience was attached to and familiar with the show, and/or the actors, it was evident and surprising that many still were seeing and enjoying Les Miz for the first time. They cried, and they laughed aloud at many of the places you/we now merely smirk ("lifelong sh++" ; "but there's n.. m... th..." ; Gavroche's bent elbow gesture; ... ).


p.s. Regarding Tonys:
. I have no idea how nominations are decided, but
. Hail Celia!


pps: Opening night performance/performers may have been affected by the fact that ushers were leading people to seats during the first half-hour of each act.

Updated On: 11/10/06 at 11:54 AM

You wanted to fall asleep during Valjean's Soliloquy, or Stars?

Maybe you need to speak with a doctor... lol.

Gavroche's bent elbow gesture

What is that?

I think "bent elbow gesture" refers to the F-you gesture Gavroche gives to Javert.

That's what I meant! ^^ Thanks mentaltenant. Took the words right out of my mouth. :)

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For those that aren't going to open the link, alexg is being sarcastic. This is probably Daphne's harshest review yet:

"Daphne Rubin Vega, however, is a train wreck as Fantine. Though hundreds of actresses could have easily performed the role, Mackintosh seemingly wanted to surprise us with offbeat casting. Though Vega earnestly attempts to invest in Fantine's pain, her modern pop voice, distinctive vowel modulations and awkward belting are completely inappropriate the role.

But even if Daphne massacres "I Dreamed a Dream," there are still dozens of thrilling songs and iconic moments."

Ouch.

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he should have made sure it wasdone right the first time.

He did...

I'm sorry, but this cast made me feel like I was seeing a production at the Carousel Dinner theatre in Akron. And not just the leads. Who was that girl that played the factory worker who got Fantine in trouble??? She was god awful.

The NY1 video didn't show enough of Celia. I wanted to hear more!

The reviews are disparate, but there are a number of quite positive ones. They are, in fact, better than the reviews of the original 1985 London production, which met with almost universal derision from the critics. And the original Broadway cast also had some leads who were praised (like Frances Ruffelle as Eponine and Colm Wilkinson as Valjean) and some who were criticized (Randy Graff as Fantine).

coooolkid i agree with you 100%. She was okay. I like her "portrayal" but her voice is not at all exciting. IN fact, it sounds wierd to me. I wanted to her to just let loose. I didn't dislike her...but i don't get the fuss.