No doubt, “Les Misérable” is one of the most popular musicals ever created, still going strong after 45 years.
This production is my first “Les Misérable”. Who am I to complain?
“Les Misérable” gives its considerable and enthusiastic audience exactly what it wants: Exciting, dramatic musical numbers belted with gusto, plenty of spectacle, gorgeous staging, a sentimental easy-to-follow story, thrilling child performers, pathos, comedy, and expert execution in every detail.
In my view, it is not deep but shallow, relying on spectacle and pizzazz rather than depth and insight. But it doesn’t pretend to anything more.
This is entertainment with a capital “E”, and it is as good as shallow gets.
It is the sort of phenomenon that attracts wildly enthusiastic fans and generates a subculture of its own, beyond its life as a stage play. Subcultures, by definition, are not for everybody.
The guest who joined me to view the current San Francisco offering is one of those who have enthusiastically embraced the subculture. He is a sophisticated playgoer, a successful playwright/noveliest/song writer in his own right, and a former member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. He was not disappointed, and enjoyed the production immensely.
I am not a fan and have never been seduced by this subculture. I was less enthusiastic. To me “Les Misérables” is overly bombastic, the musical performances lacking in finesse and emotional depth, and the story almot painfully simplified. Even with an attitude like that, I still found some of this production irresistible. The child actors were wonderful. For me, Matt Crowle’s performance as Thénardier was a highlight, utterly charming. Overall, I was moved to tears and laughter. The performance flew by and was never boring.
I believe that few fans of “Les Mis” will be disappointed. Those who have seen multiple stagings will be pleased to add another feather to their bonnet.
Those who have not yet drunk the “Les Mis” kool aid are unlikely to be converted, but will have a fine time, nonetheless.
“Les Misérable” runs at the Orpheum Theatre through July 23, 2023. For further information click here.
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Rating: *** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“Les Misérables,” a musical based on the novel by Victor Hugu. Presented by Cameron Mackintosh. Directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell. Music by Claude Michel Schönberg. Lyrics Herbert Kretzmer. Original French text by Alain Blublil and Jean-Marc Natel. Additional material by James Fenton. Adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. New Orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe, Chrostopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker. Original orechestrations by John Cameron. Musical Staging by Geoffrey Garratt. Projections realized by Finn Ross and Fifty-Nine Productions. Soun by Mick Potter. Lighting by Paule Constable. Original costume design by Andreane Neofitou. Additional costume design by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills. Set and mage design by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.
Cast:
Jean Valjean: Nick Cartell. Javert: Preston Truman Boyd. Farmer: Steve Czarnecki. Laborer: Daniel Gerard Bittner. Innkeeper’s Wife: Edan Mau. Innkeeper: Benjamin H. Moore. Constables: Christopher James Tamayo, David Young Fernandez. Factory Foreman: Steve Czarnecki. Fantine: Haley Dortch. Factory Girl: Julia Ellen Richardson. Old Woman: Emily Somé. Wigmaker: Kelsey Denae. Bamatabois: Ciaran Bowling. Fanchelevent: J. T. Wood. Champmathieu: Andrew Marks Maughan. Little Cosette: Vivian Attencio/Cora Jane Messer. Madame Thénardier: Christina Rose Hall. Young Eponine: Vivian Atencio/Cora Jane Messer. Thénardier: Matt Crowle. Petit Gervais/Gavroche: Henry Krik/Miolo Maharlika. Éponine: Christine Hessun Hwang. Cosette: Addie Morales.
Thénardier’s Gang – Montparnasse: Christopher James Tamayo. Babet: Ciaran Bowling. Brjon: Steve Czarnecki. Claquesous: Benjamin H. Moore.
Students – Enjolras: Devin Archer. Marius: Gregory Lee Rodriguez. Combeferre: Andrew Marks Maughan. Feuilly: Daniel Gerard Bittner. Courfeyrac: Ethan Rogers. Joly: J. T. Wood. Grantaire: Kyle Adams. Lesgles: Randy Jeter. Jean Pronvaire: David Young Fernandez. Loud Hailer: Randy Jeter. Major Domo: Kyle Adams. Ensemble: Jenna Burns, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevieve Ellis, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Sofie Nesanelis.
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Rating: **** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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