Les Miserables- first preview review- Page 3

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 12:57am

I have seen and heard many, many, many different Fantine's and am still extremely excited to see Daphne's take on it.

I mean, the woman is a prostitute, just fired from her job, about to die working and doing everything for her daughter.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:01am

Exactly, MB and BSO.

Plus, you KNOW the bitch was on drugs at some point.


I only saw LES MIS on Broadway once. I don't have the recording memorized, and I am completely open to new interpretations. I don't like going to the theatre where everyone sounds like Belle and Gaston. I like raw, and I like edge - and for someone like Fantine, it's perfectly appropriate, if you look at her situation and lifestyle. When I see it, my review won't be based on the 14,000 times I saw the show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:06am

For the record, this was only my second time seeing the show...the first time was in 1996 when I was 14 and pretty much had no clue what was going on in the theater. I think my opinion is unbiased.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:08am

Frankly, I'm amazed the show went to smooth, there have been trucks and/or set pieces outside of the theatre non-stop since History Boys closed!

I'm seeing it next week, I'm very excited to see what this notable cast will do with the roles, as quite honestly, I saw the show for the first time a couple of months before it closed. Quite frankly, I didn't get why it was so beloved. Some pieces I got, but as a whole, I was just underwhelmed. So I'm hoping a fresh take, including new casting, will bring me around.

As for Daphne, I heard her sing in that off-broadway show last summer and she sang a couple of songs, and while it was not the clear crisp voice we expect in a Les Mis, hearing her since and bring feeling to the songs I heard in that play actually made me very excited about seeing her in this show. So I'm looking forward to her take.

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:09am

MB - right, which is why I said that there is a definite possibility that those reviewing it tonight could be completely off-base. However, I do feel that if her acting was just so completely brilliant, at least someone would have taken note and said, "Wow, maybe her voice wasn't great, but man, can she act the hell out of the song!" Again, though, I hope I've made it clear enough that I'm obviously not putting 100% faith in the few opinions that have been posted and am still looking forward to seeing the show for myself.

And yes, I think those who say her voice isn't right for the role are (in some cases, perhaps subconsciously) comparing it to others, but I think there's something to be said for what is generally considered a "traditional" musical as a whole. What seemed stranger than simply casting Daphne in the role to me was that she was cast as the only one with a truly unconventional voice. Not only does she lack a similar voice to those who have played Fantine in the past, but her voice very much defies the type of singer Les Miserables as a whole is associated with.

Additionally, I do think Daphne's voice simply sounds better when not trying to attempt slow ballads - personal opinion, but I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. Yes, Fantine led a hard life, but so did Eponine, and I wouldn't want to hear someone screech through "On My Own" just because it's true to the character. If I'm paying $100+ for a ticket, I want to hear something at least remotely pleasing to my ears (again, personal opinion).

With that, I'm off to bed. I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say tomorrow.
Updated On: 10/25/06 at 01:09 AM

[gogannon]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:10am

Just got off the phone with my sister who saw the show tonight. She was hoping Daphne would pull it off and surprise everyone, but alas her response was, "I couldn't wait for her to die. It was like watching the really really bad kid in the high school show. You could hear crickets at the end of "I Dreamed a Dream" I think they had her share abow with Eponine, because she would have been booed off the stage otherwise. It's a shame most of the other girls on that stage could sing it 50 times better than she. It it was super distracting that she plays a boy throughout other parts of the show." She also said Daphne plays it as a whore from the first line, which is not the way that part should be played. Fantine is not a whore at first, but very niave girl working hard in a factory and once fired, is lured into whoredumb to feed her child.

Sis said Alexander Gemignani as ValJean was PHENOM.
Updated On: 10/25/06 at 01:10 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:13am

The actress playing Fantine always becomes a member of the ensemble and plays a boy for the rest of the show - just as Eponine and Cossette are whores during "Lovely Ladies."

[gogannon]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:18am

she said Daphne's "boy" was super distracting and she didn't blend in.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:30am

I am most excited for Norm Lewis. He is just an amazing actorand an amazing singer. He wasmy first choice for Javert in this revival (as was, actually, Gary Beach).

Well, really, I wanted Brian Stokes Mitchell. But really, Norm Lewis is BSM but better and more diverse.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:34am

Keep in mind this was only the first preview. I like the idea of Daphene. It's something new and fresh put into an otherwise old show. It goes along the lines of casting Norm Lewis in his role. After listening to Bernarda Alba, I love her voice. It's raw and emotional. I like her imperfections.

[liotte]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:49am

I enjoyed Daphne in other shows that I have seen her in, I just think she is not a good fit for this show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:51am

I also enjoyed Daphne in RENT and *loved* her in BERNARDA ALBA. I agree with Liotte that this show is just not the right fit for her.

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:54am

Alexander Gemignani was brilliant. What a wonderful voice. He received quite an ovation for "Bring Him Home". Updated On: 10/25/06 at 01:54 AM

[lite2shine]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:55am

My friend who saw the preview tonight said Eponine sang "On My Own" rather happily and didn't seem to have a heartache. Did she?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:55am

Go away.

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:55am

Correction: To give credit where credit is due, it was a very talented kid by the name of Brian D'Addario, who played Gavroche for the preview tonight. He has a strong voice and is a fine actor. He gave a wonderful performance. Lots of personality. I've experienced this show many times and he could be my favorite Gavroche thus far. Good luck to him and to this fine show!
Updated On: 10/25/06 at 01:55 AM

[liotte]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 1:56am

I apologize, name is changed!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:04am

i didn't think he was that great...though the audience LOVED him

i was also not a fan of the actress playing young cosette..."castle on a cloud" did nothing for me.

[liotte]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:06am

I thought it was pretty good, especially for a 7 year old!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:18am

I think they had her share abow with Eponine, because she would have been booed off the stage otherwise.

Hate to break it to you, but Eponine and Fantine have always shared a bow. Sometimes it makes me feel so torn.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 2:19am

Lizzie: I was just going to post that, but my computer froze. Dang it!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 6:31am

im glad to hear positive notes about this show, especially Celia
i cannot wait to see this in December im a LES MIS virgin right now
and about Daphne, im sorry to hear that stuff about her. but im just excited to see her live, anyways
:)

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 6:51am

I'd be suprised if Daphne makes it to opening night. With that awful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream", I really can't believe she is cast in this role.

Her and CElia coming out together for the bow was perplexing for me - the best and the worst Les Miz performances I have seem coming out together, it's the ONLY way that Daphne got any applause!

Sooooo glad that Fantine dies early on in this case..... Couldn't wait!

[Colle]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 7:14am

Tell more about Celia as Eponine, how did she bring toughness to the role? She wasn't overly cute, right? How was "Plumet Attack?" Also, please give more details about the Thenardiers? Lastly, what ensemble members stood out?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 10/25/06 at 7:16am

Just being picky but its a B natural at the end of Who Am I?