Les Misérables at the Saenger Theatre, January 30-February 4
[This production of Les Misérables played at the Saenger Theatre in 2019 and returns later this month with Nick Cartell still starring as Jean Valjean . The following are excerpts from my January 2019 review of it.]
You’ve read Victor Hugo’s book (maybe). You’ve seen the original production (probably). You saw the movie (most likely). You might even have seen a local production. Or two. Why then should you see another version of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s mega-hit Les Misérables?
Because this touring version, based on the 2014 Broadway revival, est magnifique.
If you’re reading this column, I’m going to assume you have some familiarity with the fifth [now sixth] longest-running Broadway show of all time. The current rendering, directed with flair by Laurence Connor and James Powell, dispenses with the endlessly-revolving turntable set and hews more closely to the film.
From the spectacular opening number to the shmaltzy ending (hey, after three hours of mostly avoiding sentimentality, they’ve earned it), this Miz delivers epic scope that allows room for small as well as big moments. The physical production, particularly Paule Constable’s lighting, is gorgeous. If the typically affecting death of the urchin Gavroche got lost (or, perhaps, was omitted), then the terrifically staged death of Javert (no spoilers here) makes up for it.
And I had forgotten just how jam-packed the score is with memorable, hummable tunes (I Dreamed a Dream, One Day More, On My Own, Drink with Me, Do You Hear The People Sing, At the End of the Day and the ever-fabulous Master of the House), the way a musical should be.
A fine Nick Cartell led the superb cast as the uber-decent Jean Valjean.
Nick Cartell in Les Misérables (photo by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman)
It’s sometimes a cliche to say that a masterpiece like this, and I’m referring to the novel as well as the musical, is “timeless.” As I sat in the Saenger, though, and watched the student protesters man the barricades, I couldn’t help but think of the yellow vests then demonstrating in Paris. The “song of angry men” is still being sung.
In the name of liberte, egalite, fraternite and musical comedie, go!
[For tickets and more information, go to https://www.saengernola.com/events/les-miserables/
Coming next to the Saenger, February 27-March 3, will be Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, which follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching Number One.
Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain’t Too Proud tells the story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America. Featuring such classic songs as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and many more.
For more information and tickets, go to https://www.saengernola.com/events/aint-too-proud/]
