Les Miserables review 10/31...a few questions...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:48am

I think the kids playing young Cosette and Eponine go home to bed. They dont want to have to entertain them back stage for three hours...

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:49am

Thank you for this review

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:51am

Cosette!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:53am

Young Cosette (one "s") and Young Eponine only stay for evening shows if it's a special night, like opening or closing, or someone's last show.

[liotte]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:59am

I was there tonight as well.

Daphne has improved from last week (I went to the first preview).

A few more minor bumps tonight, still enjoyed the show! Celia remains my favorite.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:01am

BTW, did they add a third Gavroche, or did Austyn Meyers replace one of the other boys? I saw Austyn on tour and was baffled/pleased when a friend called me after leaving the Broadhurst and said Austyn had gone on that night.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:02am

Oh and why don't Young Cossette and Eponine bow?????? It seems like they are cheating them, especially Young Cossette.

That's too funny, I was completely wondering that myself- I couldn't remember the bows at past Les Miz that I have seen, so I wasn't sure if they always don't bow, or if that was something new that they just don't bow during this revival for some reason.

Is it something to do with child labor laws or something, where they don't/cant have them stick around all that time when they're not onstage? At first I thought maybe it was an 11pm thing (when I used to work in television, 11pm was the time when your under-18 talent has to be off the clock, so sometimes scenes would get shot out of order to make sure the kids scenes were finished before 11pm), but Gavroche is still onstage to bow so I knew that couldn't be it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:07am

I think its more a budget thing than a child labor thing. If they kept those two children around backstage, they would be obliged to pay a child wrangler to stay and attend to them. That would essentially add up to one additional full time salary on the show - just so two 8 year old girls could take bows three hours after their cameo roles...

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:21am

i think that was rude to say that you feel bad celia has a bow with daphne...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:22am

i think that was rude to say that you feel bad celia has a bow with daphne...

FWIW, I've felt that way about a few Fantines and Eponines. I can only imagine what it's like now.

[liotte]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:26am

It may have been that I was knew what was coming with Daphne's voice, or I was more adjusted to it since I had seen the show last week. But I did not think it was as raspy as before, and she sang with a clearer voice and belted more tonight.

[mentaltenant]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:58am

She's just going to get better

[NJRae]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 7:14am

Yes, MentalTenant, she is going to get better and better and prove everyone wrong!

Ok, I adore her and can't wait to see her but it does sound like she may just be wrong for this role. Of course, never having seen or heard it, I have nothing to go by so I doubt I will notice a problem when I finally go see it, but maybe I will, who knows? All I know is is that she is an amazingly talented performer and a really nice woman and I can't wait to see her. :)

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 8:48am

Sounds like people at intermission are STILL talking about how bad Daphne is. How distracting! Why is she still there???

Of course she'll get better - she almost really can't get any worse! It's all relative. I don't see the big attraction to her.

I also felt bad that Celia had to come out for bows with Daphne. It lowered what Celia would have gotten "On Her Own"..... Would love to hear what Daphne would get on her own.... It's just not fair to Celia who gave an excellent performance.
Updated On: 11/1/06 at 08:48 AM

[theminutepast]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 9:21am

In response to the part about Little Cosettes/Eponines bowing: I believe they stay for bows when it's a matinee. They usually bow with the female ensemble--they are at the end of the row, one on each side.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 9:30am

I believe (pretty sure anyway) that the young cast members were there for bows on the first night of previews....

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 9:50am

I may regret joining in this one but "I just know she is going to get better!". Come on! There's nothing wrong with rooting for someone you've loved in other shows. People do it all the time. It's called fan support. but....

1. If 80% of the feedback is mostly poor...then Daphne was miscast. We are not talking about a "newcomer to Broadway". I could understand people having mixed reviews about Alex or even Norm, both have never played these roles either AND Valjean and Javert are far more demanding roles than Fantine.

2. Speaking of the Fantine role, as pivitol as it is, the role is not unusually physically demanding vocally or acting. Yes, you have to be convincing but there's techincally two solo songs and about 15 min. of "grovelling and dying" in act one. Every seasoned performer and their sister has sung/recorded " I Dreamed A Dream" It's not a killer tough song, but again it has to be delivered well to be effective.

I'm just a bit tired of hearing the Daphne feedback. If she's not overall pleasing the crowds (apparently she is
not), then they made a mistake in casting. period. She doesn't carry the show.

I think many of the folks here are over analyzing this "old dog". Read the book. Pull out your old CD's and videos, etc.

It's a proven credible show with a new cast and a new audience to enjoy it. Just go see it and ENJOY! ....or not.

I'm not suggestiong that people not post comments. It's to be expected. But this "she's gonna get better" thingee is likely wishful thinking. I don't mean any disrespect to her or your opinions. This is just mine.

Updated On: 11/1/06 at 09:50 AM

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 11:30am

I'm headed back again tomorrow for a second viewing... hoping I share liotte's perspective!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:23pm

Another review of the same performance: http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=322167

[HumATune]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:32pm

God that ATC review was really…flowery ugh.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:57pm

But everyday [she's] learning....

[p.s.]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 2:44pm

It should not be that half of all discussion about Les Miz involves the "Fantine problem" [50%? 40%? 80%?].
Unless there is a change, the experiences of theatergoers will be less than we deserve.
Don't they (the creatives) hear the people sing?
Aren't they able to make a change?

p.s. Carly and Tess definitely appeared at Preview #1 final curtain. [This was specially noted to the crew, because traditionally the young girls are not around at the end.]

[Colle]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:36pm

I have a question that does not have to do with the "Fantine problem." I am curious to know, how do Gary and Celia play Thenardier and Eponine's father/daughter relationship?

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:37pm

Nothing out of the ordinary than any other production that I've seen.

[TenThousandThings]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:24pm

A friend in the cast told me that the two Gavroches were a little behind the learning curve, so Austyn was brought in to help out. He'll be leaving around the official opening.