Les Miserables- first preview review

[liotte]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:21pm

Just got back from the show, it was absolutely amazing!!!

Noticed a few changes in lyrics and orchestrations, nothing major. The whole show was so smooth, I couldn't believe this was just the first preview!!

My fav (and yes, I am biased) was Celia as Eponine, she just nailed it with the singing, the acting, you could see her heart breaking over Marius, just fantastic. Also really enjoyed Alexander Gemignani as Valjean, Norm Lewis as Javert, Gary Beach and Jenny Galloway were fabulous as the Thenardiers, Adam Jacobs as Marius may be my next Broadway crush, and Aaron Lazar as Enjolras really gave a great performance. Newcomer Ali Ewoldt as Cosette had a beautiful voice, loved listening to her. The ensemble in general was wonderful. Carly Rose Sonenclar, age 7, sang a great Castle on a Cloud, Tess Adams was young Eponine, and Brian D'Addario was Gavroche. Very impressive from the kids tonight!

Looking forward to many more returns!



Updated On: 10/25/06 at 11:21 PM

[zepka102]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:26pm

what about Daphne??

[liotte]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:27pm

Also want to comment that the longest applause in the show went to Alex's Bring Him Home, just beautiful, he pulled it off and it was amazing.

Immediate standing ovation at the end.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:28pm

Daphne?

She is what I am most curious about...we all know the rest can pull it off.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:28pm

Daphne? Do I care to ask?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:31pm

I'm pretty curious about Daphne as well.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:32pm

I agree: What about Daphne?

[liotte]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:32pm

Daphne was miscast, in my opinion. Just leave it there.

[Miz M]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:33pm

The show sounds amazing. I can't wait to see it.

How was Doug Kreeger?

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:35pm

How did the audience respnd to her? Can you give a little more details, please?
Updated On: 10/24/06 at 11:35 PM

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:38pm

i thought daphne was a great casting choice. different enough to be different, i still hear a certain tone of power in her voice. breathy, sure. raspy, why not. but something about it appeals to me. daphne is a strong actress and i think it shows. the audience reacted fine to her. i agree, the show went so smoothly i couldnt believe it.

[fakeblue]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:39pm

>Daphne was miscast, in my opinion. Just leave it there.

I totally agree with you... IMO

[liotte]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:40pm

The audience was very responsive overall, most people seemed familiar with the show. Lots of applauding, cheering for the big numbers, I think Celia may have been the only one to get a bit of entrance applause when she first came on...

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:41pm

and it will only get better cannot wait to see this.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:41pm

I MUST see Celia in this role. I will do whatever it takes.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:42pm

Could you describe what orchestrations were different? I know Dreamed a Dream was supposed to be a little different. What about Gavroche's new song when he is dying?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:47pm

How did Celia Bolger get entrance applause? Isn't she in the ensemble as all previous Eponine's have been - in "Lovely Ladies," etc?

[liotte]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:48pm

I Dreamed a Dream wasn't very different, but Daphne's voice made it sound very strange.
Gav's new song was fine, but I was expecting Little People!
I don't think I can pinpoint different orchestrations, because they are so minor!

I forgot to mention the sets- Big barricade, moving stage, looked awesome! My only "set" complaint was that I could see people moving scenery on and off the stage throughout the entire show.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:54pm

What song do they use for Gavroche's death? (Assuming it's used in some other parts of the song as well)

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:55pm

I can't wait to see this show in January. I'm not surprised, though, that you could see people moving sets in the background. I've always noticed that with Les Mis. Thanks for the additional details though!

[Tag]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:56pm

I'm fairly sure that the cast has always been (in the original & tours) visable upstage while setting up scenes before they revolve.

[SahDu]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:57pm

I know this seems a bit random, but does Alex hit the high B flat at the end of Who Am I?

Thanks!

Updated On: 2/15/14 at 11:57 PM

[theminutepast]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:00am

Yeah, they use the cast to try and block the audience from seeing crew setting up the set. But sometimes, such as the setting up of Empty Chairs, the crew is more visible. I don't mind. I kind of like to see how they do it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:00am

So, I take it the changes to costumes and orchestrations etc are so minor that none of these elements will be eligible for Tony consideration - it sounds like this really is just a return engagement of what was on Broadway before - which is totally fine - but I wonder if it will even get a nom for best revival - it doesn't really sound like its even a revival - just a continuation...

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:02am

They have a new song for Gav?! They took out Little People?! Updated On: 10/25/06 at 12:02 AM