"Les Miserbales" Previews- Page 3

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:01pm

So...how different is this from the production we've all seen before?


No turntable, lots of fire, Victor Hugo's paintings as backdrops, Valjean ripping his shirt open in the prologue (!).

[anmiller07]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:39pm

Jovie,

Also don't forget to factor in the cost of manufacturing those sets and costumes. Those regional theatre's would just be paying to rent them for a finite amount of time. Also the cost of theatre rent on Broadway is going to be much higher than any regional house.

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:48pm

^^^ totally agree!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:49pm

Have they changed the orchestrations again? I Dreamed a Dream sounds different than on the 25th anniversary tour recording especially the beginning.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:50pm

^ I noticed that too.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:54pm

I kind of liked the way the first verse was on the recording, but I know a lot of fans hated it so maybe that was the reason for the change.

[hanschens]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 3:55pm

A friend of mine went to see the show last night and said that the beginning of IDAD is a capella like the movie and apparently one of Gavroche's Look Down verses has been changed to the movie version.

I'm not really sure what to expect with the cast, but I guess I'll find out on April 8th. (Although I am disappointed that I'll most likely be seeing Ramin's Valjean, I wasn't a fan of it the first time round in London)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 4:07pm

"I was there. I'll write more when I have time, but I found it to be a rather underwhelming evening. "

That's kind of how I felt about the tour. I am seeing this March 10 to see how this fares in the hands of a new cast. Betsy Morgan and Andrew Varela absolutely carried the touring production. I have always loved Caissie Levy and Will Swenson, so I am looking forward to seeing them.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 4:17pm

Per a press release on ATC, $37 rush tickets will be available beginning tomorrow night.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2192844

[GatorNY]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 5:52pm

With regard to this:

Ramin Karimloo will not perform the Wednesday matinees taking place on March 19th and 26th. In addition, Mr. Karimloo will not perform from May 19 – 22, 2014 due to a pre-existing professional obligation. During these performances, the role of Jean Valjean will be performed by Aaron Walpole or Nathaniel Hackmann.

Does anybody know when this statement went up? I bought me tickets back in January for 3/19, and want to try to exchange them for a future date. I don't remember seeing it then, but am not 100% sure. Thanks.

[TommyFlanagan4]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 6:07pm

I was there last night and I thought the best part was the ensemble. They were FANTASTIC together.

It was also really cute that at the stage door, SOOOO many people were there. One of the press agents asked us to sing "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and it was so loud that everyone in the cast opened their dressing room windows and sang with us and chanted. It was really fun.

Also, Summer Boggess is in the pit :)

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 6:59pm

Anyone who's familiar with the tour know if there are any changes from the tour? More automation or anything that can be done on a tour such as scenery rising up from traps instead of tracked in from the side ?

[WJR2]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 7:11pm

For what it's worth, I was there at the first preview.

Ramin (as many before me have said) was an excellent Valjean. I won't elaborate here as you can read the something millions of other places.

I was also underwhelmed by Swenson. Was expecting to love him, but just ended up "meh".

I thought Andy was a wonderful Marius. His vocals could've been a bit stronger, but he acted the role subtly, which I thought worked well. I really enjoyed him.

Samantha was fine as Cosette. Nothing particularly exciting, but she was very good. Caissie, I thought, was a fantastic Fantine. Vocally, she sounded top notch. Keala and Cliff were wonderful Thenardiers, albeit, a little over-the-top.

As for the whooping and hollering, the only time that happened was at the beginning of the overture, the entrances of all the leads, and immediately after the prologue, when the "Les Miserables" logo was thrown up (via projection, think the opening scene in a television show, then they show the opening credits...). None of it was inappropriate, I didn't think.

Overall a really fun, exciting, and energetic night at the theatre. Oh, and also it was a very clean first preview. No stops. Did notice they were still hanging or fixing lights on the house left side in the mezzanine.

The stage door was absolute madness. No barricades. One door-guy. At least 100 people pushing and shoving their way to the front. I was there for a bit, but decided to leave because it was just insane.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 7:43pm

I like whoever does it on the tour recording better.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 7:49pm

^Do you mean Chasen Harmon? I didn't particularly care for her when the tour came through DC.

[TommyFlanagan4]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 7:54pm

I also LOVVEDDDDDD Caissie Levy as Fantine.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 8:00pm

I meant Rosalind James.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 11:05pm

Are there any new cuts or changes? I remember there was some talk during the Toronto try-out of new lyrics and songs being added/rewritten.

[eyehrtfood]

Posted: 3/2/14 at 11:57pm

If Swenson isn't cutting it - find Toronto (and past UK) Javert, Earl Carpenter and get him on the Bway boards. I've not heard or seen a better Valjean - as you may feel when you find the online bids of him in UK tour.

[RW3]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 9:37am

Is Suddenly in the score?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 9:40am

If Swenson isn't cutting it - find Toronto (and past UK) Javert, Earl Carpenter and get him on the Bway boards.

Earl Carpenter has made it sound like he's done playing Javert: https://twitter.com/EarlCarpenter/status/426910535607521281

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 10:01am

I questioned Will's participation as Javert when it was announced that he was cast. Yet the powers that be thought it advantageous to replace the Cosette they had hired.

[brdway411]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 10:12am

Just a quick update on Les Misérables rush. About 25 people. Line started around 630. And the tickets are all over the place. They only sold about 18 to 20 tickets.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 11:35am

"I questioned Will's participation as Javert when it was announced that he was cast. Yet the powers that be thought it advantageous to replace the Cosette they had hired."

This.

[opal_blu]

Posted: 3/3/14 at 4:56pm

I've heard an audio recording of Nikki M. James' performance of On My Own, and I am beyond underwhelmed. I'm not sure if it's the way she pronounces certain words, or if it's because she messed up the lyrics at one point, or if it was because she clearly was rushing to catch up with the music towards the end of the song... there is just something in her delivery that left me feeling incredibly disappointed.

I was fortunate enough to see the show in Toronto, and I have to say, Melissa O'Neil who portrayed Eponine in the production (and is currently in the ensemble on Broadway) was far superior. Her rendition of On My Own was beautiful, and she's definitely one of the better Eponine's.

I get that the producers wanted to have a "name" and a Tony winner, but Nikki - in my opinion - just isn't right for the role.





Updated On: 3/3/14 at 04:56 PM