SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

#1

SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:45pm

"For the new Broadway production, an extreme makeover is not planned, but, according to the production office, there are new orchestrations, some scenic changes, costume changes, lighting changes and sound changes."

Oooooh, I'm intrigued. I wonder what will be changed. Minor things obviously, but that is quite exciting.


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#2

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:47pm

Well if there is any justice from the theatre gods, they will shorten the over-bloated score and cut the song "stars".

#3

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:51pm

Ooh costume changes--maybe they got rid of Cosette's butt-ugly black dress.

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#4

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:55pm

Didn't we already know about all these?

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#5

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:57pm

cut "Stars"? that's funny...

#6

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:58pm

So do you think they're doing this only to be eligible for Tonys?

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"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#7

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:04pm

Well, probably, but the costumes/lighting/orchestrations will have to be pretty significantly redesigned to be eligible...

#8

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:09pm

But any change at all, however noticeable, will better LES MIS' cause for a Best Revival consideration. I'm sure that's their only reason.

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"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#9

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:10pm

"...there are new orchestrations..."

I wonder if that means that the original orchestrations will be modified in order to be played by fewer musicians?

#10

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:11pm

Or, hey, they could go the London route and bring over the Symphonia!

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#11

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:27pm

The only thing Les Miserables ever had going for it was the sweeping, lush sound of the orchestra....yeah, let's reduce that to 12 musicians. Wheeee!

I have a feeling that Les Mis is going to be Les Missing a lot.

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#12

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:29pm

Did any article ever say the orchestra would be reduced? I don't remember reading one...

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#13

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:31pm

I don't think so, but I think it's a given.

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"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#14

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 4:57pm

The orchestra was small enough on the tour. I imagine costume changes being along the lines of the factory women or the whores--characters where the change will be noticed, but no one will care as much as if they changed the costumes for a principal role.

#15

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:25pm

Why would they be billing Les Mis as the longest running Broadway show just because it's the longest running in the West End? That doesn't make any sense.

#16

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:29pm

Cut stars!!!! That is such an incredible song in my book.

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#17

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:32pm

We hope to see it & look forward to Forbidden Broadways take on it

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#18

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 7:56pm

Mr Roxy - it's back in Forbidden Broadway as one tour more, for now.

Baritone - re-read. It says it's the longest running show of any Broadway or West End show currently playing in the West End. POTO is Broadway's longest running show, and the West End's Les Mis has played longer.

#19

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:48pm

I wonder is Daphne can play the Tuba?....

hehe, new orchastrations indeed.

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#20

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/28/06 at 11:19pm

Fosse76 - Joke or not, I was thinking the same thing. Stars is a great song, but as I've written in reviews past, it stops the forward motion of the show.

I am glad they are making some changs even if they are minor. Looking back on a wrok with fresh eyes can be very enlightening.

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#21

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:43am

Sorry guys, I have to comment on cutting Stars. Its such a beautiful song and a real chance for the person playing Javert to impress people. It would be like cutting "On My Own" from Eponine. We already know shes in love with him from some lines in "In My Life"... we don't necessarily need a whole song about it, however, it is beautiful. Stars is beautiful as well. Cutting it would be wrong. I think Les Miz has one of the most well-balanced scores, with many great songs. At least no one said cut Bring Him Home... then I might actually go crazy.

#22

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:51am

I think they should cut "Bring Him Home". Or at least drop it 17 octaves...

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#23

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:55am

is it really the longest running musical now? over phantom of the opera?

#24

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:10am

Anybody know what the minimum number of musicians for the Broadhurst is? Must be pretty low. I hope they don't go the London route and scale it down too much, but they've already proven they're willing to make that compromise artistically, which is really depressing. I hope 802 makes a big stink if they cut it down too much. It's Les Miz for pete's sake! Without that score it's a bunch of dirty people in ugly costumes climbing around on a pile of sticks, spinning.

#25

re: SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

Posted: 9/29/06 at 10:11am

Hahha, Son_Of_A_Gunn. That's too funny.