Reviewed by Tracey Paleo, Gia On The Transfer

Did anybody else really feel prefer it was a pace by way of?  Magnificent although it’s, there’s one thing concerning the LES MISÉRABLES (North American Tour) re-do, at present on the Hollywood Pantages, that didn’t permit me to catch my breath.  

Maybe, in fact, I haven’t saved up with the evolution of this present, however having skilled one of many earliest stage productions of the unique play way back, and naturally, each single film model of the story since, there appeared to be a really noticeable departure from the extra melodic vocal preparations.  And it saved me in a state of perplexity and generally nervousness, all through the complete efficiency.

Whereas the brand new orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Booker, had been gorgeous, the vocal interpretations had been breathy quite than full bodied, usually almost spoken as an alternative of sung, and much more percussive and violent than one may bear in mind this now trendy basic musical to be.  The singers appeared to be singing far forward of the notes, making a frantic supply that didn’t start to ease till Jean Valjean’s second act quantity, “Carry Him Dwelling.”  

Granted it’s a lengthy present (new materials has apparently been added by James Fenton) and the solid, fairly flawlessly delivered a number of arduous hours of braveness, ardour and resilience of the human spirit, preserving the depth at a crest from begin to end.  However I suppose, that’s the level I’m making an attempt to make.  On one hand, this model of  LES MIS is a tour de power rendition.  On the opposite, going for unrelenting, rapid-paced gusto at each potential second, with out breath or pause, and barely a observe of empathy, completely diminishes the deep emotional resonance that this musical, probably greater than every other, has all the time had the power to evoke.  In a manner, in its enthusiasm to create a recent presentation, the present stays very a lot on the floor, and fails, only a bit, to acknowledge human pathos in its full capability. 

Newer parts, nevertheless, are fairly artistic.  Changing the flip desk that has previously moved the solid concerning the stage at the moment are video projections that successfully deliver to life visible facets that beforehand might solely be imagined by the viewers.  Individuals of nineteenth century Paris really march by way of the streets, and Inspector Gilbert’s lengthy demise leap into the river beneath is extended to unhappy and painful impact, as an illustration. All the piece is way extra darkish with costumes, lighting and set design echoing a decadent cynicism of the Parisian underworld, maybe meant to juxtapose the brilliant and glossy spiritual reform tones of the lyrics; which it does, particularly in redemption moments when shafts of sunshine shine onto characters like angelic visitations.  The themes of justice and morality have all the time been heart stage within the script, however they’re someway, much more pronounced right here, inflicting the center wrenching love tales of Fantine (Haley Dortch), Cosette (Addie Morales), Eponine (Christine Heesun Hwang) and Marius (Gregory Lee Rodriguez) to be nearly emotionally eviscerated.  Besides, although for Jean Valjean (performed by Nick Carnell).  Valjean retains the singularly poignant highlight all through the present.

In essence, although, this iteration of LES MISÉRABLES, in each manner, is a mirrored image of our personal time.  And any adjustments which have been made, run decidedly lateral of the present state of human affairs – which was the aim of Victor Hugo’s sweeping novel in 1862.  Definitely, the considerations with social points and the critiques of wealth distribution, the justice system, industrialism, which is now referred to as the Know-how (AI) Age, and republicanism are completely entrance and heart right now as they had been then.  The unending emotions of desperation which might be consummated all through the play, even the pacing of the present can be descriptive of the outer and interior emotions of individuals right now, younger and outdated.  And, if for no different cause however these, LES MISÉRABLES is a surprising summation and seize of current day actuality, that someway turns the horrible into the celebratory.  And, for that exact same cause, though our hearts might positively use just a little extra of the previous love affect on this presentation, LES MISÉRABLES’ good energy to lift the human spirit, is, in the end, enduring. 

***Please observe that each one Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night performances of Les Misérables will begin at 7:30.  All performances will start promptly on the scheduled curtain time. There’s a 13 minute seating maintain for this present. Please plan your journey accordingly.

LES MISÉRABLES

SEVEN WEEKS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

AUGUST 1 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE

COSTA MESA

SEPTEMBER 19 – OCTOBER 1, 2023

SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS

LOS ANGELES INFORMATION

August 1 – September 10, 2023
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30pm
Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

Tickets: BroadwayInHollywood.com or Ticketmaster.com 1-800-982-2787
Hollywood Pantages Field Workplace (Go to web site for hours)

Manufacturing:

Cameron Waterproof coat’s manufacturing of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is predicated on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and authentic French textual content by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, extra materials by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with authentic orchestrations by John Cameron. The manufacturing is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley impressed by the work of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, extra costume designs by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realized by Finn Ross, Jonathon Lyle and Fifty 9 Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, music supervision by Stephen Brooker and James Moore.

Los Angeles Solid:

Nick Cartell and Preston Truman Boyd return to the barricades to painting the fugitive ‘Jean Valjean’ and ‘Inspector Javert,’ respectively. They’re joined by Matt Crowle as ‘Thénardier,’ Christina Rose Corridor as ‘Madame Thénardier,’ Haley Dortch as ‘Fantine,’ Devin Archer as  ‘Enjolras,’ Christine Heesun Hwang as ‘Éponine,’ Gregory Lee Rodriguez as ‘Marius’ and Addie Morales as ‘Cosette.’ Vivian Atencio and Cora Jane Messer alternate within the function of ‘Little Cosette/Younger Éponine.’ Henry Kirk and Milo Maharlika alternate within the function of ‘Gavroche.’ 

Touring Ensemble: consists of Kyle Adams, Daniel Gerard Bittner, Ciaran Bowling, Jenna Burns, Julie Cardia, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denae, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevieve Ellis, David Younger Fernandez, Michelle Beth Herman, Randy Jeter, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Olivia J. Lu, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Benjamin H. Moore, Nicole Morris, Ashley Daybreak Mortensen, Sofie Nesanelis, Tim Quartier, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Christopher Robin Sapp, Emily Somé, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle Timson, Hazel Vogel and J.T. Wooden.  

The Orchestra:

Music Director/Conductor, Brian Eads

Affiliate Conductor/Keyboards, Eric Ebbing

Assistant Conductor/Keyboards, Tim Lehihan

Violin/Concertmaster, Ally Jenkins

Drums/Percussion/Malleets/Timpani, Max Meyer

Music Coordinator, John Miller

Native Musicians:

Viola – Linnea Powell; Cello – Ira Glansbeek; Double Bass – Ian Walker; Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute/Recorder – Amy Tatum; Oboe/English Horn – Michele Forrest; B Flat Clarinet/E Flat Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Tenor Recorder – Jeff Driskill: French horn 1 – Emily Pesavento; French Horn 2 – Katie Faraudo; Trump/Flugelhorn/Piccolo Trumpet – Aaron Smith; Bass Trombone/Tuba – Calan Milani; Keyboard Sub – Mary Ekler; Orchestra Contractor – Eric Heinly.

Picture: “One Day Extra” from Les Misérables that includes Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

To this point, LES MISÉRABLES stays the sixth longest-running Broadway manufacturing of all time.

Since Cameron Waterproof coat first conceived this acclaimed new manufacturing of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to have a good time the present’s twenty fifth anniversary, it has taken the world by storm persevering with to get pleasure from record-breaking runs in nations together with North America, Australia, Japan, Korea, France and Spain. It’s at present on stage in London’s West Finish and on tour in The Netherlands and Belgium with a brand new tour of Japan in 2024. The latest North American manufacturing toured from 2017 to March 2020, enjoying 94 engagements till the manufacturing was halted as a result of international pandemic.

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