Les Miserables Reviews — Page 4

I think Celia has too go, the quicker the better. She is a wonderful actress, but I think she has the wrong idea of Eponine. Yes, Eponine is a street urchin kinda girl, but she's not a complete slob, she has a sweet side too!. I am completely obsessed with the character of Eponine, so seeing her give the most hideous grin to a clearly disgusted Marius made me want to scream! I think she could be a wonderful singer if she let loose, but currently it sounds like she has a really weird accent, and it is not appealing. By intermission I was already dreading On My Own. I cried during A Little Fall of Rain, but only because she murdered it! Please throw her out or teach her how to be Eponine!

Eponine'sRevolution, it's interesting that you say that, because so far, you are the first person I have heard of who has adamantly hated Celia's portrayal. Calling her a slob and saying she should have “a sweet side too” actually completely opposes NY1's review, in which the reviewer stated that she was almost TOO sweet.

And also, it's "Celia has to go" not "too," which is a synonym for "also..."

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Oh dear, another "I think the part should be played this way so I want this actress fired immediately or I'll whine online about it" person. This'll be fun.

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You should have been living it, not studying it!

Next time.

Well, Alex Gemignani was out last night. According to the preshow announcement: "Alex Gemignani was taken ill early this morning but in the true spirit of the show must go on Victor Hawk will be playing the role of Jean Valjean with limited rehearsel". Not the most comforting announcement I've ever heard. So I turned to his understudy's bio and it read ""He's not really famous, so unless you are related to him or a friend, you have not heard of him, but he promises he's not a hack". Needless to say I was regretting my choice to go yesterday. When he came on, it was evident that he was going to be extremely hesitant throughout the show. His voice sounded extremely young in the beginning and then never aged. He was simply going through the motions of Valjean and was the only one not acting on that stage. He hit the notes, he said the lines, he came in when he was supposed to come in, but that was all. Get better Alex, if you are better than this, the show needs you.

The other actors tried their best to salvage the show. Celia did a great job as Eponine although the songs seemed slightly out of her range. Daphne wasn't as bad as I had read she was, though she was still not the Fantine I would've wanted to experience. Beach and Galloway played excellent roles and were crowd favorites. They were spot on. Ali Ewoldt was the least likable character on the stage. Her voice grated on my nerves as did her choices. Adam Jacobs was quite the opposite. He was likable and had a nice presence. Aaron Lazar was a powerful force as Enjolras. The most powerful force on that stage though was Norm Lewis as Javert. His presence alone dwarfed the inexperienced Valjean. His songs were spot on. His soliloquy blew me away. He's a fine actor.

I'm glad I saw this production, but it didn't nearly live up to the hype surrounding.

"When he came on, it was evident that he was going to be extremely hesitant throughout the show. His voice sounded extremely young in the beginning and then never aged. He was simply going through the motions of Valjean and was the only one not acting on that stage. He hit the notes, he said the lines, he came in when he was supposed to come in, but that was all. Get better Alex, if you are better than this, the show needs you."

Geez, give Victor Hawks a break. He went on with short notice and no rehearsal for a leading role in a broadway show. I'm sure he had a million things going on in his head and did the best job he could. And have heard he did a great job.

Unless you could have done any better in the same circumstances, then you have the right to make the comments you made.

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I'm sure Alex was grateful that he had someone who could take over for him at a moments notice.

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Surely I'm aware that I spent 200 dollars and I saw what I saw. I'm also aware that he had limited rehearsel and Im sure the cast and crew were thankful that he did the job that he did. I'm thankful that he did on such short notice. However, I'm not one to give a sympathy applause or a sympathy opinion. I am not going to lower my expectations because of the circumstances. If I did lower my expectations I assure you his performance was great, but if I keep the bar at the same level as all the other actors he was merely adequate. Bravo Victor for filling in on short notice and hitting your marks. That doesn't change the fact that I was completely underwhelmed by his performance and perhaps consequently by the show in general.

The main issue that I have now, though, is that I do not know if I didn't completely enjoy the show because of the show or because of the cast. I didn't care about Cosette partly because I loved Eponine and I didn't care about Valjean. The Javert vs. Valjean balance was completely tilted and there was no struggle there. I didn't care for Valjean as far as Fantine is concerned. I simply did not attach myself to the emotions of the characters and the show. My question to others who have seen this production: is this a product of this production and miscasting? is this a product of the performance I saw? Is this a product of a disjointed book that spans too much time?

Updated On: 11/12/06 at 05:59 PM

I'll be going back (saw first preview), but not as excited about it as I was before. I still don't think Daphne is going to be any different or better, based on the reviews I read - trainwreck???.

Did enjoy Celia, though!

I tend to still agree with this.....

"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.

Easy does it, neomystyk29. Chill out and give the poor guy a break. It was short notice, it's a huge role to perform with high expectations. Just cut him some slack.

Celia was amazing as Eponine. By far one of the best I've seen/heard. She did a great ON MY OWN and I loved the nuances she brings to my favorite character from the BOOK that many actresses did not let really shine through.

Aaron as Enjolras- *shivers* SOOOO incredible. I have never loved the character more.

Alex G was an incredible Valjean. Up there with Colm and Craig Schulman in my eyes

Gary and Jenny were incredible as the Thenardier's. Powerful, slimy hut lovable all at the same time.

Ali and Adam played off each other very well and certainly looked/sang the parts. VERY nice.

Norm played Javert close to the vest, but it worked. His voice certainly commands respect.

Daphne. Umm... acted the part VERY strongly, but vocally all wrong for Fantine.

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And if he was, did he stage door? Did the entire cast stage door?

WERE THERE SOUVENIR PROGRAMS YET?!?!

(*Counts days until Saturday*)

If not, they have 4 DAYS to get them in!

*CROSSES FINGERS*

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New York Blade:
http://www.newyorkblade.com/2006/12-4/arts/theater/lesmis.cfm

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