SOME changes to be in Les Mis Revival

[EponineThenardier]

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.


Playbill Link

[Fosse76]

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".

[little_sally]

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

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

[LizzieCurry]

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

Didn't we already know about all these?

[CATSNYrevival]

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

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

[munkustrap178]

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

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

[Michael Bennett]

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

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

[munkustrap178]

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.

[morosco]

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?

[LizzieCurry]

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

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

[Princeton78]

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.

[LizzieCurry]

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

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

[munkustrap178]

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

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

[theminutepast]

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.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

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.

[ALWrules]

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

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

[Mr Roxy]

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

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

[BSoBW2]

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.

[RockabyeHamlet]

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

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

hehe, new orchastrations indeed.

[bare_nakedlady]

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.

[FinallyAmember]

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.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

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

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

[cathywellerstein]

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

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

[Dover]

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.

[SayitSomehow]

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

Hahha, Son_Of_A_Gunn. That's too funny.