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The restaged Les Miserables U.S. Tour is delighting audiences in Orange County, California, on the Segerstrom Middle for the Arts the place it’s taking part in by means of October 1, 2023.
Die laborious followers of Les Miserables because it’s English language debut in 1985 (5 years after it’s French language debut in 1980) are usually purists and sometimes debate over every thing from the need of a turntable for the stage and whether or not the dramatic cuts to the libretto (and re-additions) have been/are crucial. So how does the brand new staging evaluate to the unique?
Whereas nothing will ever evaluate to the unique staging and script, it’s with admiration and respect that this reviewer has to confess how impressed I used to be at press night time on the Segerstrom Middle for the Arts on September 20, 2023, for the next 3 causes:
Nick Cartell is an Exemplary Jean Valjean
As a Mizzie (Les Miserables fan), I’ve most likely seen the present in america and the UK twenty instances, a minimum of, so the bar is sort of excessive when reviewing any efficiency. It’s not possible not to enter a theater considering of performances I’ve seen through the years together with from John Owen-Jones, Randal Keith, Dan Koek, and Ivan Rutherford. And whereas I used to be initially hesitant relating to my preliminary impressions about Nick Cartell‘s efficiency, by the point he got here to “Soliloquy” (following the Prologue), I used to be offered.
Nick Cartell effortlessly anchors the Les Miserables U.S. Tour that’s crusing by means of Orange County, California, by means of the tip of September 2023. His rendition of “Deliver Him House” deservedly so earned him an enthusiastic spherical of applause. Nonetheless it’s not the large energy notes that received this fan over. The place he actually excels is in his chemistry with Steve Czarnecki (Javert Understudy) and their confrontations have been the strongest moments of the night time, fingers down.
The truth is, their confrontation scene following “Come to Me” was a spotlight and supplied the best testomony to the brand new path by Laurence Connor and James Powell (Trevor Nunn directed the unique English manufacturing). Gone is the chair that Valjean as soon as used as a makeshift weapon. Making use of Valjean and Javert’s chain gang background, Javert now wields a series and the administrators get factors for the imagery.
His chemistry with Addie Morales (Cosette) was one other lovely spotlight all through the present that spoke effectively of the present’s up to date path. Specifically throughout the Finale a small however touching embrace between Cosette and Valjean almost definitely had a number of eyes misting with pleasure and pleasure.
Total, his efficiency was a particular delight and can be effectively definitely worth the value of the ticket for any musical theater fan. And it’s a credit score to the casting staff at Tara Rubin Casting that he’s surrounded and supported by a powerful ensemble of actors and singers.
Paule Constable and Matt Kinley Create Magic with their Mixed Lighting and Set Design
Paule Constable, identified for the twenty fifth anniversary live performance of Les Mis on the O2 in London, England, works wonders along with his lighting design bringing an additional intimacy to the beloved Boublil and Schonberg musical (the identical creators who introduced us Miss Saigon). Together with the architecturally sturdy set design by Matt Kinley that replaces the well-known minimalistic turntable, the impact is classy. The truth is, I’d argue that Paule Constable’s lighting design is cause sufficient to purchase tickets to see this reimagined Les Miserables whereas it excursions america.
Finn Ross Proves Projections Can Be Price Each Penny Spent
Projections have grow to be a fad in theater typically used even when not crucial. Fortunately Finn Ross (Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one), credited within the playbill for his Projection Realization, is intelligent and sensible sufficient to know simply how greatest to make use of projections to assist and profit a timeless present akin to Les Miserables.
Paired with Paule Constable’s lighting and Matt Kinley’s units, Finn Ross’ projections show their value throughout the second act of the Les Miserables U.S. Tour. Javert’s Soliloquy and the scenes set inside the Paris sewers are brilliantly enhanced on account of the projections that do nothing to detract from the significance of the music and performances.
Due to the intelligent and proficient artistry of Nick Cartell and his colleagues, Paule Constable, Matt Kinley, and Finn Ross, the Les Miserables U.S. Tour is a must-see throughout its run in Costa Mesa, California.
Les Miserables U.S. Tour in Orange County
Web site: https://www.scfta.org
Tickets: Beginning at $40
Dates: Via October 1, 2023
September 28th: Patrons attending the efficiency on Thursday, September 28th at 7:30pm are welcome to hitch us for a free talkback/Q&A with Les Misérables solid and firm members. The talkback will happen after the efficiency on the Orchestra stage and can final roughly quarter-hour.
Subsequent Up: Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Occasions of The Temptations (October 17-29, 2023)
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