Les Miz and Evita

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:36am

Well, I saw Les Miz and Evita in DC today. Les Miz was unimpressive, and very downsized from the last time I saw the production. The actors looked bored and some were just very untalented. Overall, it looked like a regional production with limited space. I still love the show though. Evita was amazing!!! This is the first time I have seen it live and I have never been so impressed. Eva was fantastic as was Peron. I was skeptical when Che entered, since he is not the typical Mandy Patinkin with a beard, but he sure proved himself with his enormous talent. Does anyone know how hight Evita belts??? She was unbelievable. Anyways, I give Les Miz 2 1/2 Stars and Evita 3 1/2.

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:32am

i am glad YOU noticed that about the les miz cast. it has infuriated me over the years with the producers of les miz who ALWAYS HIRE THE SAME PEOPLE OVER AND OVER to do that show. that show needs some NEW fresh faces who are DYING to be in that show.
they ARE bored and ungrateful and it shows.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:49am

What do you mean? LM doesn't recycle nearly as much as a lot of other shows. Currently, the principals are:

Randal Keith (promoted understudy)
Robert Hunt (promoted understudy)
Joan Almedilla (returned)
Jennifer Butt (returned, but after 11 years)
Fabio Polano (completely new as of a few months ago)
Melissa Lyons (promoted understudy)
Adam Jacobs (outside hire in fall 2004)
Leslie Henstock (promoted understudy)
Victor Wallace (completely new as of a few months ago)

About half the ensemble has been in the show for fewer than two years.

Jacobs' predecessor, Josh Young, was an outside hire, as was the previous Enjolras, Michael Halling.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:49 AM

[neocomposer]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 2:28am

I hate to admit it, but I wasn't completely impressed with the cast of Les Mis when I saw it a week ago in DC. They were somewhat tired.

[sunsignleo]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 2:54am

Does anyone hate when people make blanket statements that everyone on stage looks tired, bored, or ungrateful? I find that generalization hard to believe. I think blanket statements like that say more about the critic than anything else. Anyhow, you're telling me there's absolutely nothing good to say about anything or anyone? Wow. Sorry, just had to vent. Happy Holidays!

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 4:39am

I saw Les Miz in Kansas City in November and was blown away. I thought they were beyond increadible in every sense of the word. I saw Randall's understudy and couldn't have been more impressed. I saw Randall on Broadway, but I couldn't believe an understudy would be that into it.

And the Eponine had a gorgeous voice. Marius was weak though (isn't he always?).

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 6:14am

(isn't he always?)

*looks at both current understudies*

Nope.

[sanda]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:29pm

Well, I should say I totally disagree about Evita. It is a boring, cold show.

I watched Les Miz tour one year before and loved it. I will see it again in Jan.

Posted: 12/29/05 at 4:29pm

sunsign-
you're right - i do hate it when people make blanket statements like that. so i apologize. i have been out of the loop on les miz since it closed on broadway and since joe mahowald left the tour.
but i WILL say that there have been SEVERAL cast members who took it for granted and looked VERY bored on stage and in fact they were. thats what i SHOULD have written.
happy new year! and again, sorry i made you have to vent!!

[Paganmouse]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 5:04am

I just saw it with my Mom and Sister on Sunday(the 8th) we were blessed to have second row seats - and all of us agreed that the men were cast point on, the women...not so much.
Now on the 8th we acctually saw the understudy for Javert and he was by far the best my mother(seen it 5 times) my sister(seen it 3) and I(seen it twice) have seen. The worst was Fantine. There was *no* passion, no tugging at your heart for her, nothing. The review that said the first heart wrencher, I dreamed a Dream, left a lot to be desired and sort of...didn't do what any other actress has done with the moving song(pull you in and make you feel for this poor woman) was right. She was a total let down, poor acting, half hearted singing and just all around meh performance. (adult)Cosette was also left a stale taste in our mouths, the excitment and love portrayed in her songs was quite lacking. And though for the most part Eponine was played well; On My Own(which like most girls has been a long time favorite) like Fantine lacked the gut wrench it normally holds, and if it weren't for the welling up on Marias' eyes - Little Fall of Rain would've also been a wash.
Luckily the men of the show were very strong. Jean Valjean was very well done, and as I said Javert was top notch. Enjolras brought forth the passion and fight and made all 3 of us(and those surrounding us) sit up and watch(for multiple reasons) and really listen. I was weary of Marius at first, until A Heart Full of Love; when I truly saw his love and passion shine. Empty Chairs and Empty Tables was the icing on the cake for him. And holy crap - Gavroche - that boy needs to keep on acting. He was...just..WOW. Best accent, had so much life and brought so much to his part. I know I really felt for him!
So - yes, I indeed see where you say some of the actors look tired and sort of over the show. But I felt the let down landed with the leading ladies. Luckily the stronger more intense male roles carried enough of the weight to make the show well worth it!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 5:15am

Which Javert understudy did you see, Pierce Peter Brandt or Trent Blanton?

[Paganmouse]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 5:20am

crap..the program with the slippies is in my car. I want to say Trent though. Because I recall saying I liked the name:o)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 5:50am

LOL, well, Trent is tall and Pierce is short (I've seen and enjoyed 'em both as Javert), if that helps you any. :)

[Paganmouse]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 3:11pm

DEFF. Trent then, he was..towering...that's the best way to describe him!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 3:26pm

I plan on seeing it before it leaves DC.

[Paganmouse]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 3:27pm

hopefully youll be as lucky as us to see Trent portray Javert. And keep an eye out for Victor Wallace!

[Jilani]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 3:59pm

For whatever it's worth, the Washington Post reviewer loved the current production of Les Mis, even though he went in expecting it to be tired:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/12/AR2005121201687.html

[Paganmouse]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 1:41am

did you get to see it?
Liz

[thespian geek]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 5:20am

Randal Keith (promoted understudy)

Randal has been doing Les Mis for years. I saw him on a leg of the tour 4 years ago, and then he went to Broadway, and then he went back to the tour. Hell, I don't even know how long he's been doing Les Mis total... but yeah. It's been awhile.

And, uh, not all Marius' are weak. *Points to avatar* He was the last Marius on Broadway and I've heard plenty of great things about when he was in the show. Plus his voice is absolutely gorgeous.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 8:58am

How high Eva belts:
In the bridge of "Buenos Aires" she has to pop out 2 high F's.
"New Argentina" is the ball-buster, so to speak. She has to rail out 3 times, a string of high E's with options to go to the Gb. (This is the "He supports you, for he loves you" section)

Thoughtout the show, she consistantly sits on belted C's and Db's. Must have pipes of steel to get through this show. Even if the main Eva only does it 6/week.