Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Production
A Review by Ken Kiunke
Staff Writer
Les Misérables, in Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production opened at Broadway Sacramento in early June 2013 at the Community Center Theater in Sacramento, CA. Les Misérables has appeared in many guises, beginning of course with the epic 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo, followed by at least five film versions, and the 1985 English language musical (itself based on a 1980 short-lived French musical). Each interpretation has its own emphases of the original story, which is itself a great novel, but a long and challenging read. Like Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Hugo immerses the reader not only in the tale of the characters, but all the historical details of the period and events, many only tangential to the story itself.
Photo by Deen van Meer: The Company of the New 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables
When Mackintosh adapted the French production, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, to produce the original London production, it was met with negative reviews, but went on to become a box office smash, moving to Broadway in 1987 to become one of the longest running productions in history, and winning eight Tony awards, and thus, Les Misérables became “Le Miz”. The story is by now familiar to most - Jean Valjean is in hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread, and is finally released on parole. But he finds life even harder on the outside, making his heart bitter until he is redeemed by a Bishop, and devotes his life to God. He becomes successful and strives to help others all he can, but is dogged by his past in the form of Javert, the officer who makes it his duty to serve justice. Valjean inadvertently helps destroy the life of a young mother, Fantine, and vows to rescue her daughter Cosette. They make a life in Paris but a youth revolt, and the persistent Javert, interrupt. Photo by Deen van Meer: Andrew Varela (Javert) in the New 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables
It is natural to compare this production to the 2012 musical film, which was released while this production had already begun its national tour. The first major difference is in the entire first half of the story. The film version spent a lot of time showing Jean Valjean in his hard labor, subsequent release, and redemption with the Bishop. This is all done in the first ten minutes of the stage musical, a positive difference in my view. However, Fantine's story, which is so evocative in the film with Anne Hathaway, as you feel every pain she experiences until her death, is also dealt with fairly quickly in this production. But the beautiful Genevieve Leclerc in the role delivers a powerful “I Dreamed A Dream” - Fantine's signature song, which sets the tone and theme for the entire story.
Every character in this tale is dreaming a dream of what life should be. Fantine dreams of being a loving and doting mother to Cosette, and Valjean dreams of freedom and living honestly. Meanwhile, Javert dreams of a righteous society of order, where evil doers pay the price of their crimes. And the Thénardiers (the innkeepers who “care for” Cosette) dream of wealth and position, and will do anything to get it. Their daughter Eponine dreams of the love of young student idealist Marius, who, along with his friends, dreams of a France of equality and opportunity for the struggling poor. And Cosette just seems to go along with whatever her adopted father Valjean, and later Marius, dream for her. Photo by Deen van Meer: Andrew Varela (Javert) in the New 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables
After Fantine, the story continues with the Thénardiers and their big number, “Master Of The House”, which provides the comedy break. Timothy Gulan and Shawna M. Hamic do a good job with the roles, though a little Thénardier goes a long way, and I welcomed shift to Paris. Andrew Varela, as Javert, delivers a knock out punch with “Stars”, his renewed vow to capture Valjean now that he knows he is in Paris. Varela's amazing voice stunned the crowd with its power, especially that big last note. We also meet the student revolutionaries with the other key song of the show, “Do You Hear The People Sing”, the rousing anthem that inspires and stays with you long afterward. “Heart Full Of Love” is a beautiful three part song featuring Marius (Devin Ilaw), Cosette (Julie Benko) and Eponine (Briana Carlson-Goodman) in a love triangle, and “One Day More” allows all the characters to express their hopes and worries about what tomorrow will bring, and leads to the intermission.
Photo by Deen van Meer: Briana Carlson-Goodman (Éponine) in the New 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables
With all that story packed into the first act, the rest mainly concerns the student uprising and Marius and Cosette's budding romance, but not until after Eponine's beautiful song “On My Own”. Her role in the middle is just as important a part as Fantine's and Cosette's, and Carlson-Goodman does it great justice. The remainder of the show is filled with moving and dramatic music as the story heads to its climax.
Peter Lockyer as Jean Valjean, who is excellent throughout, gets his brightest moment in the song “Bring Him Home”, a moving wish as he accepts that his Cosette is in love with a good young man. Valjean is really a Christ-like figure, forever sacrificing himself for the good of others. His original crime was to save not himself, but his sister's family. After his redemption to God, he repeatedly puts himself in peril to save Fantine, the workman Fauchelevent, Champmathieu - the prisoner accused of being Jean Valjean, Cosette, Marius, and even Javert. He never puts himself first, and there is no hint that he has ever experienced, or even desired romantic love. He is ultimately welcomed to Heaven by two angels, and ascends with arms out in a cross.
No review of this show would be complete without a mention of the sets, designed by Matt Kinley and inspired by Hugo's own paintings, which serve as projected backdrops to the stage. The moving set pieces recreating the Paris slums, barricades and other locations are impressive and dramatic. One scene, during “A Little Fall Of Rain” perfectly evoked Rembrandt's painting “The Night Watch” in mood and lighting. The 16 piece orchestra is top rate, and delivered the music with force and power.
The singing by the entire cast is top rate, with even the smaller parts getting a chance to occasionally show off their voices in a solo line. The story can be a bit challenging to follow, so it helps if you are at least familiar with the story through one of the many films. The reception by the Sacramento crowd was very appreciative, and there was no hesitation to give a standing ovation to the whole cast, with the loudest cheers for Varela (Javert) and Lockyer (Valjean.)
The 2013-2014 season begins in November 2013; for tickets and information, see www.CaliforniaMusicalTheatre.com For more information about the Esquire IMAX, upcoming events, services they offer, parking, or to get tickets, visit them at http://www.imax.com/oo/esquire-imax/ or call the box office at (916) 443-4629.
Enjoy the IMAX experience soon. Free parking is at the Capitol Lot on L & 10th Streets, weekdays after 5pm and all weekend with validation sticker. Present your parking ticket at the Box Office. For birthday parties and field trips, email aatilano@imax.com or phone: 916-446-2333x200. For events, fund raisers, IMAX educators and private show screenings, email wrussell@imax.com or phone 916-446-2333 x201.
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