Les Miserables in Utah- Page 4

[theminutepast]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 12:27am

"Lea Salonga's ad-lib cuss words"

Did I miss something? What's this?

[Marianne]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 12:49am

She doesn't do it in every performance, but occasionally she bursts out swearing at Dan Bogart as Bamatabois in Fantine's Arrest.

"Javert, would you believe it, I was crossing from the park when this prostitute attacked me--"
"F**K YOU!"

I've also heard "You bastard!"

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 1:36am

I just got back from seeing the Utah Symphony's Salute to Sondheim staring Gregg Edelman and Alice Ripley.

What a thrill it was to see 2 former Les Mis people in person that I had never seen before.

We talked about the upcoming shows and both Alice and Gregg said that Merwin is wonderful. And has a big voice.

Now I am even more excited to see the show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:10pm

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660213622,00.html

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:32pm

I saw that article on the front of my Arts section yesterday morning and said, "oh, LizzieCurry will be so happy." My wife gave me a strange look.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:56pm

I always think it's a little weird when regional productions that don't recreate the original productions excactly still use the same original logo.

Seeing the Mackintosh logo would make me think I am seeing a reproduction of the original London or Broadway show, not a new re-imagining.

I do hope this is a cool new take on the material/music, but the logo would make me think otherwise.

[BiggestDaddy]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 5:03pm

it's a similar issue as with, say, Beauty and the Beast. The logo is licensed along with the piece itself, no matter who is at the helm nor how the show is being re-imagined.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 11:05am

Ah, thanks. Makes sense, but is still a tad misleading.

I've noticed Miss Saigon regional productions that use similar color schemes in their marketing, but a different image (no eye/helicopter). Must depend on the show and its licensing package.

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 3:03am

I just got home from the show. I was pleasantly surprised. I had never seen any of the performers except the man that played Thenardier.

It was the original LONG version...3 hours.

It was cute as Greg Goodbrod forgot one of his lines and repeated the same line twice. He realized what he did and smiled.

I really liked Merwin Foard as Javert and Michael Halling as Enjolras.

I am hoping that William Solo will grow on me.

I really like the way that they did the staging...several scenes were different. There was full background scenery...it building, with a balcony that they walked around.

I am going again tomorrow for the matinee...have front row...can't wait...more later.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 3:07am

I really like the way that they did the staging...several scenes were different. There was full background scenery...it building, with a balcony that they walked around.

Ooh! Please do elaborate when you get back from the show tomorrow. :)

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 3:15am

They actually have the background look like buildings. Actually it kind of reminded me like an alley way you might see between buildings. There are doors, windows, the one end has like a fire escape that they use alot, there is like a balcony all the way around the 2nd level.

People are up there quite often. In the Garden scene between Marius and Cossette, Eponine is up on this balcony area doing her part.

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 2:14pm

In the Garden scene between Marius and Cossette, Eponine is up on this balcony area doing her part.

That sounds interesting, but how did Eponine get on the balcony? I think of a balcony as attached to a home, so has she already broken in?

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 2:48pm

at the one end of this "balcony - for want of a better word" has a ladder that she climbs up.

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/28/07 at 11:21pm

I went to the Matinee today...pretty much the same as last night...other than Greg made a point of getting his line right in the Cafe. it was cute.

I was on the front row on stage right...it was interesting as I was able to see things I didn't see the night before as I was on the other side.

Got to meet and talk to several of the cast members after the show. They were really cute. I was disappointed tho that William and Merwin didn't come out the stage door. Luckily I have plenty of time to meet them.

NEWS TO REPORT:

They are extending the show until the end of JUNE. The manager of the theatre came out before the show and said that they will be announcing it soon. My guess...it will be in tomorrows paper.

[theatrechic]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 2:14am

What photos are you talking about? The publicity ones that are on the Pioneer website are NOT the stage lighting. Those were done with a general wash and work lights.

It is amazing how much the Fantine and the Cosette look alike. The subtle use of the curls in the wig make SUCH a difference.

For those interested in seeing what the set looks like.... Here is a picture of the model....
http://www.pioneertheatre.org/gallery/les-mis/Les_Mis_Unit

Hope that helps = )

[Salene]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 3:14am

"It was jarring to see Fantine with dark hair unless she is asian or hispanic or african american"

The recent Norwegian production had a dark-haired Fantine. Still can't figure out why - the actress is naturally blonde and looks GREAT that way.

[Salene]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 7:15am

"Not to conceal anything, the three first were more experienced, more heedless, and more emancipated into the tumult of life than Fantine the Blonde, who was still in her first illusions."

"Fantine was one of those beings who blossom, so to speak, from the dregs of the people. Though she had emerged from the most unfathomable depths of social shadow, she bore on her brow the sign of the anonymous and the unknown. She was born at M. sur M. Of what parents? Who can say? She had never known father or mother. She was called Fantine. Why Fantine? She had never borne any other name. At the epoch of her birth the Directory still existed. She had no family name; she had no family; no baptismal name; the Church no longer existed. She bore the name which pleased the first random passer-by, who had encountered her, when a very small child, running bare-legged in the street. She received the name as she received the water from the clouds upon her brow when it rained. She was called little Fantine. No one knew more than that. This human creature had entered life in just this way. At the age of ten, Fantine quitted the town and went to service with some farmers in the neighborhood. At fifteen she came to Paris "to seek her fortune." Fantine was beautiful, and remained pure as long as she could. She was a lovely blonde, with fine teeth. She had gold and pearls for her dowry; but her gold was on her head, and her pearls were in her mouth"

[MrBundles]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 1:54pm

saw the show last night and even though I dont have time to write a full review, it was the best production of the show I have ever seen. I've seen the show on tour, on Broadway (a month before it closed in 03) and in London, and this is the first production that I've seen that is completely lavish and didn't bore me! It was fantastic!

[potoangel2]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 4:31pm

thanks for posting the link to the photos of the set. they are great.

i think it explains my description better.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 10:03am

Review: http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/ci_5782393

[misschung]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 9:38pm

yeah I noticed that too. hmm

[sopranobiz]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 3:36am

Not really that surprising that Mme T or Cosette weren't mentioned in that review. I always thought Cosette was a pretty bland, thankless role and Mme T has, like, two seconds to shine. Anyone who doesn't have a power ballad in Les Miz is likely to get lost in the shuffle.

My friend in the show says both actresses are fantastic. Too bad they weren't mentioned.

[sopranobiz]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 3:45am

Another review:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660216440,00.html

[SandraP2]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 5:07pm

After finally getting tickets for June 25, thanks to our wonderful neighbors, my husband and I were given two tickets for last night's performance of Les Miz!

Let me start by saying that I've seen this show once on Broadway way back when and every time it has come through Salt Lake City. Pioneer Theater's production was every bit as thrilling.

William Solo was the perfect Valjean. He seemed a little tired vocally but his performance completely captivated us. He sounds and looks very much like Colm Wilkenson. He was a very bitter convict in the first part of the show.
Merwin Forde had a more operatic voice than I am used to hearing for Javert. It took awhile to adjust but that's just a matter of personal taste. His "Stars" was breathtaking and I almost thought the audience was going to give him a standing ovation!
Kelly McCormick made a wonderful Fantine- beautiful, vunerable and vocally flawless. I liked that she didn't shout in her death scene but just died peacefully.
Kristen Wyatt was an adorable Eponine. She looks like she's 4'10" but what a voice! She didn't wear the traditional trenchcoat in "On My Own", just boy clothes.
I loved how Cosette looked exactly like her mother except a little taller! Fantine and Cosette shared a lovely moment during the finale. Trista Moldovan was gorgeous, a very operatic voice.
I think Micheal Haling is my new favorite Enjolras. During the begger scene he was very sweet to all the poor and was extremely passionate during the barricade scenes.
Greg Goodbrod had excellent chemistry with both of his ladies and did a fantastic "Empty Chairs."
I thought Max Robinson and Adina Alexander were perfectly paired up as the Thenadiers. One of my favorite scenes is when they come into the wedding in there ridiculous costumes. Neither actors overdid the comedy which I found refreshing.

Sorry for the long review! I had to write everything down while it was fresh! The only critism I have is that it was difficult to hear over the orchestra at times and that I spotted a few members of the ensemble who weren't the best actors in the world.
I'm excited to see it again in June!
~Sandra and Mark

[screamingpixie]

Posted: 5/5/07 at 1:04am

I saw the opening night performance from the balcony. The show was impressive overall EXCEPT the actors playing ValJean and Enjolras. Whatever acting they were doing did not read in the balcony, and their voices were crap-ola. If those two weak links had been better, the show would have been outstanding. I also thought some of the sounds coming from the chorus were a little like the West Valley 8th ward choir, a little too heavy, rich, and vibrato laden.
Max Robinson as Thenardier was incredible. For not being considered a singer, he made those NYC actors look like high school glee club. Every note was on pitch, every word was clear and understandable, and he acted the **** out of it. Thank God for Max! Adinah Alexander was fabulous as his partner in devience.
I loved the leading ladies. Kelly McCormick as Fantine far surpassed the retarded performance given by Daphne Rubin-Vega in the Broadway show. Rubin-Vega is a freakish, drugged out Fantine, McCormick is classy and creates sympathy for the character. Kirsten Wyatt was a fireball as Eponine.
Gregg Goodbrod ia a handsome Marius, with a voice that could melt the coldest heart. He has a fabulous big voice. Mearle Marsh's musical direction definately did the score justice. The set was awesome thanks to George Maxwell. All in all a pretty great show. I wish broadway Bob would have been here to play ValJean. He is missed. Great job to the cast.