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Die onerous 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 infrequently 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) had been/are needed. 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 evening on the Segerstrom Heart for the Arts on September 20, 2023, for the next 3 causes:
As a Mizzie (Les Miserables fan), I’ve in all probability seen the present in the US and the UK twenty occasions, at the very least, so the bar is sort of excessive when reviewing any efficiency. It’s unimaginable 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 bought.
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 “Carry Him Residence” deservedly so earned him an enthusiastic spherical of applause. Nevertheless it’s not the large energy notes that gained this fan over. The place he really excels is in his chemistry with Steve Czarnecki (Javert Understudy) and their confrontations had been the strongest moments of the evening, arms down.
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In reality, their confrontation scene following “Come to Me” was a spotlight and offered the very best testomony to the brand new course 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 sequence 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 course. Particularly in the course of the Finale a small however touching embrace between Cosette and Valjean more than likely had a number of eyes misting with pleasure and pleasure.
Total, his efficiency was a particular delight and can be effectively well worth the worth of the ticket for any musical theater fan. And it’s a credit score to the casting group at Tara Rubin Casting that he’s surrounded and supported by a powerful ensemble of actors and singers.
Paule Constable, identified for the 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis at the O2 in London, England, works wonders together 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 elegant. In reality, I’d argue that Paule Constable’s lighting design is motive sufficient to purchase tickets to see this reimagined Les Miserables whereas it excursions the US.
Projections have change into a fad in theater typically used even when not needed. Fortunately Finn Ross (Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one), credited within the playbill for his Projection Realization, is intelligent and clever 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 in the course of the second act of the Les Miserables U.S. Tour. Javert’s Soliloquy and the scenes set throughout the Paris sewers are brilliantly enhanced because of the projections that do nothing to detract from the significance of the music and performances.
Due to the intelligent and gifted 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.
Web site: https://www.scfta.org
Tickets: Starting at $40
Dates: By means of October 1, 2023
September 28th: Patrons attending the efficiency on Thursday, September 28th at 7:30pm are welcome to affix us for a free talkback/Q&A with Les Misérables forged 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 Times of The Temptations (October 17-29, 2023)
The restaged Les Miserables U.S. Tour is delighting audiences in Orange County, California, on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts the place it’s enjoying by means of October 1, 2023.
Die onerous 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 infrequently 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) had been/are needed. 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 evening on the Segerstrom Heart 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 in all probability seen the present in the US and the UK twenty occasions, at the very least, so the bar is sort of excessive when reviewing any efficiency. It’s unimaginable 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 bought.
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 “Carry Him Residence” deservedly so earned him an enthusiastic spherical of applause. Nevertheless it’s not the large energy notes that gained this fan over. The place he really excels is in his chemistry with Steve Czarnecki (Javert Understudy) and their confrontations had been the strongest moments of the evening, arms down.
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In reality, their confrontation scene following “Come to Me” was a spotlight and offered the very best testomony to the brand new course 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 sequence 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 course. Particularly in the course of the Finale a small however touching embrace between Cosette and Valjean more than likely had a number of eyes misting with pleasure and pleasure.
Total, his efficiency was a particular delight and can be effectively well worth the worth of the ticket for any musical theater fan. And it’s a credit score to the casting group 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 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis at the O2 in London, England, works wonders together 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 elegant. In reality, I’d argue that Paule Constable’s lighting design is motive sufficient to purchase tickets to see this reimagined Les Miserables whereas it excursions the US.
Finn Ross Proves Projections Can Be Price Each Penny Spent
Projections have change into a fad in theater typically used even when not needed. Fortunately Finn Ross (Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one), credited within the playbill for his Projection Realization, is intelligent and clever 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 in the course of the second act of the Les Miserables U.S. Tour. Javert’s Soliloquy and the scenes set throughout the Paris sewers are brilliantly enhanced because of the projections that do nothing to detract from the significance of the music and performances.
Due to the intelligent and gifted 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: Starting at $40
Dates: By means of October 1, 2023
September 28th: Patrons attending the efficiency on Thursday, September 28th at 7:30pm are welcome to affix us for a free talkback/Q&A with Les Misérables forged 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 Times of The Temptations (October 17-29, 2023)
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