Spring Break in NYC (Les Miz and Lion King reviews included)
Spring Break in NYC (Les Miz and Lion King reviews included)
Spring Break in NYC (Les Miz and Lion King reviews included)#1
Posted: 4/9/07 at 2:06pm
So for Spring Break, my band director decided to take us all to New York City, where we saw "Lion King" and "Les Miserables"; as an added bonus, we got to perform at Carnegie Hall. In a word, this trip was AMAZING. Reviews are below.
The Lion King (4/5/07)
It was my third time seeing the show, but the first time I saw it at the Minskoff. I think the theatre is substantially big- I expected it to be much smaller, given its location. All I can really say was that the show was good. The set and costumes always captivate me. Patrick Page as Scar was EXCELLENT. His voice is great, and his acting skills received much-deserved applause at the end of the show. Tshidi Manye as Rafiki was hilarious. Her antics, singing, and storytelling skills were so funny. Josh Tower was Simba, and his voice is awesome; however, the same thing cannot be said for Kissy Simmons as Nala. Her acting seemed very Disney-esque (high voice, not much emotion), and her voice was terrible. Seriously, my ears almost bled when I heard "Shadowland". And finally, Nathaniel Stampley (as Mufasa) seemed a bit young to be playing the role. His voice hasn't matured yet, and he sounded like a 25-year-old singing a part that's too old for him.
Les Miz (4/6/07)
My first time seeing this show. I've heard the glowing reviews, and my God were they proved. No cast changes- all of the principals were on.
Tess Adams as Young Cosette and Brian D'Addario as Gavroche were phenomenal. The entire audience was gasping when Gavorche got shot multiple times.
The Thenardiers...Gary Beach was priceless. As many have said before, it's like he's playing Roger DeBris in France. His humor was top-notch. Given what little material she had, Jenny Galloway as Mme. Thenardier did a so-so job. Her voice wasn't the greatest, but her acting complemented Beach's very well.
Alexander Gemignani: WOW. I LOVED him. Voice, acting, EVERYTHING. The best performer in the entire show, in my opinion.
Ali Ewoldt as Cosette: Cosette is a very bland character, but I thought Ewoldt did a good job with what she had. At times, her high notes were a bit flat, but that's to be expected when one goes that unnaturally high.
Adam Jacobs was a marvelous Marius. His voice was very rich, rarely off-pitch, and it doesn't hurt that he's very good-looking, either. 
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Eponine...I dunno. I like her voice, her acting, but she just didn't shine in "On My Own", which, obviousy, she should. It took her voice a long time to warmup, no matter when or what she was singing.
Aaron Lazar makes a great Enjolras (though I was hoping he would be out, and Drew Sarich would be on). His acting is ok, but his voice is a booming one.
Norm Lewis...oh Norm Lewis...wonderful voice, but so-so acting skills. There's no doubt he's a terrific performer, but I would've believed him more as Javert had he put more emotion into his actions and words.
Last but not least, the FABULOUS Lea Salonga as Fantine. She blew me away. I had a bet with my friends as to when I'd start crying in the show- Needless to say, Ms. Salonga's marvelous voice caused me to cry during "I Dreamed a Dream". Everything about her is just so majestic, glorious, almost like a dream. Her voice was perfect for Fantine, and my heart broke when she died.
Side note: They did the BC/EFA drive at both shows. I got a Les Miz autographed poster, handed to me by the funny-as-heck Grantaire, Drew Sarich. He gave me a big ol' hug and smile. That moment rocked my night.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/06
re: Spring Break in NYC (Les Miz and Lion King reviews included)#2
Posted: 4/9/07 at 3:27pmyou really didn't enjoy kissy's performance?? i thought she was definitely one of the more vocally-talented members of the cast...
re: Spring Break in NYC (Les Miz and Lion King reviews included)#2
Posted: 4/10/07 at 3:44pmYeah I really didn't like her. She cut every single phrase in "Shadowland" short, and her voice seemed very breathy. Granted, she did warmup and sounded ok at teh end of the song, but even then, it looked like she was holding her true vocal talent back.
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