I can't believe this show is ending on tour! The cast I saw in LA included 2 understudies, but it was amazing. I had never seen Les Miz, but I loved it SOOOO much. It inspired me to start collecting Les Miz CDs. I want to see it in NYC, but I can only see 2 shows, and I choose Mary Poppins and Drowsy Chaperone. If 1 is sold out, Spamalot, then Les Miz. The tour cast should have gone to Broadway, or at least make the new Broadway cast a little more star-filled.
Let us milk the cow that is theatre-Monica Trausch
It depends really who you ask if the show is "star filled." There are some "stars," like Daphne Rubin Vega and Norm Lewis, and then there can be the disputed "upcoming stars", such as Drew Sarich (who is one) and Alex Gemignani (not really sure about). You really need to eavluate also, the star power the director envisioned and saw available that matched his criteria.
I saw the show yesterday. Randall Keith was still was passionate as he was four years ago - if not even more so. But I have to admit that the other leads did not impress me much. The understudy Javert was great, but I didn't care for the Fantine at all. I could tell the chorus wasn't having quite as much fun as some productions I've seen.
Besides that, the Fox theatre, which I've seen sold out for Les Mis engagements in the past, was quite sparse yesterday. The tickets for the final show are only $50 bucks for orchestra. There are still tickets left and the last show is tonight. I'd assume that has something to do with closing the tour.
Not to mention, closing the tour gives Cameron the ability to retool it as he's talked about for the new Broadway engagement (new costumes, lighting, orchestrations, etc.) and perhaps reenergize it so people feel the need to go see it again if it were to tour. As it is now, most people probably feel like they've already seen Les Mis a few times and there's not a whole lot new. (Okay, this is for people who may be theatre patrons but not theatre buffs or huge fans or something who appreciate each performance as a new experience.)
As much as I love Les Mis I can see some reasons for closing it. Think of the exciting things that will happen to it in the future!
My mom has a habit of saying the most embarassing things to performers if she's near me at the Stage Door (told Ana Gasteyer she loved her work in SNL... WTF Mom!?), and she told him he had the voice of an angel.
All tours must end and with the revival on the way, they will use the set and maybe some of the costumes
No doubt it'll be back once the revival is done... which has already been extended to September
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
I really liked the set in London as far as the bricks on the side and the way some of the characters entered and exited on stage left...definately like the wigs, etc. more in the States.
2008 European Tour
London: Les Mis, Lion King, Sound of Music, Joseph, Hairspray, Billy Elliot
France: Le Roi Lion, Cabaret
Germany: Der Konig der Lowen
Holland: Tarzan & Les Mis
Sorry to thread jack abit, but PaintWordPictures why were you embarrased about your mom telling Ana she was great on SNL? She was great on that show! (Or didn't you know she was on it?)
Now back to the thread...
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx