Wow. That was bad. That was really, really bad.
There were a few moments here and there that worked, but for the most part it was three hours that just did not want to end.
I happen to like the score to Les Miserables quite a bit. Sure it's bombastic and some of those lyrics! Oy! But I can forgive a lot with strong singing, and that was in short supply this evening.
The prologue was especially rough. There was much wailing, screaming and caterwauling. By the end I couldn't stop thinking of that lyric from The Last Five Years when Cathy sings, "Who've sitting like I have and listening all day/To two hundred girls/Belting as high as they can." Loud is different than good. People weren't with the orchestra, sustained notes were flat (but still loud), and it was all just a mess. Even the much ballyhooed Ramin Karimloo didn't impress me here.
It actually wasn't until Cosette grew up that I started to warm to Karminloo's performnace, and his second act was pretty strong. "Bring Him Home" was the one genuinely well-performed number of the evening, but by then I could only care so much.
Caissie Levy was pushing and trying too hard. Even when you're wailing on a pop ballad there's something to be said for adding a touch of subtlety or surprise to your delivery. Otherwise you end up sounding like the 8th runner up on Idol.
Of course the real offenders of finding any nuance were Keala Settle and Cliff Saunders. Good God! I mean Mary Testa would have been horrified by what she saw up there tonight. Settle was SO good in Hands On a Hardbody, but here's it's all, "How can I be as over the top as humanly possible and try to eat what little scenery is on this stage!"
As someone else noted the actor playing Gavroche has a distracting lisp. He's got vim and vigor, but I was seriously ready for Valjean to teach him "Gary Indiana" and fast.
Overall the cast had a habit of emoting their way through the songs rather than singing them, verging on a Rex Harrison style at times. This isn't a cabaret act. Ditch the back phrasing. Cut out the mannered deliveries. Just sing the damn songs.
I thought the most consistent performer was Will Swenson. He was the one of the few who didn't indulge in some of the bad habits I mentioned, and even if he didn't make a big impression, he didn't offend and for this production that's practically a triumph.
I was most excited to see dear Kyle, risen from the ashes of moving the Hit List note cards around with Cousing Debbie. His Marius was good- I think he is a charming performer with a certain impish quality. Maybe not best suited for this role, but I would happily see him again in a better role in a better show.
The set is often bare, the lighting is dark and it all makes for a gloomy evening. As one of my friends I went with just texted me, "I want my night back."
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
