I will always love Les Miz for its story (hell, even that horrible 1998 movie made me tear up), so I'm always for the ability to see it again and am glad it's coming back. However, aside from the staging of ECAET and Javert's Suicide, I really hated the direction, and not being able to see both sides of the barricade makes it less dramatic. The orchestrations for the most part are "eh," but I absolutely can't stand the blatant addition of the electric guitars. I think I'd even prefer if they used the movie orchestrations, even if that's implausible. But the part I really couldn't stand was the Gavroche/Grantaire friendship. It's not in line with Grantaire's characterization at all, and though it's not as prevalent in the musical, really undermines Grantaire's overwhelming devotion to Enjolras and what that means.
I saw the tour production last year, and was not a fan of it. The projections didn't really add to the show overall for me, and I wish that they kept the turntable in the production.
Kinda bummed the turntable won't be in this Broadway revival staging either. :/
"Can't we try something new? Especially from a producer like Cameron Mackintosh who has both the skills & money to devote that time and energy to something new? "
Cameron opened a new musical in London 2 years ago, Betty Blue Eyes. And it was a massive flop.
Theatre wise, I think the Broadhurst which held the last revival is a possibility but it wouldn't surprise if it goes into the Imperial or the Winter Garden with Mamma Mia! moving to a smaller theatre.
I think it will do a lot better than the Evita revival, because of the film's success. People will want to revisit it on Broadway or see the stage adaptation.
The problem lies in the fact that the new staging isn't exciting enough to elicit multiple visits. It doesn't have that "wow" factor the turn table staging does. I can see this doing okay, but it would make more sense to bring back to original staging or just take that idea and update it. It doesn't need to be a replicata of what was in the 80s, but this new touring production sounds super boring.
I have been checking the London TKTS website regularly to see if Les Miserables is ever available at the booth. They often have The Lion King and Wicked at their booth, but they never seem to have Les Miserables. I think that's really interesting.
I've seen LM on Bd'w twice (Craig Schulman and J Mark McVey, who were both amazing) and Nt'l tour twice with Rob Evan & Ivan Rutherford. I've seen the Walnut St. production with Hugh Panaro(equally impressive, no turntable there either).
Personally, I have no problem with the tour coming in as is. The production is fresh,exciting and the absence of the turntable is not a big make or break choice. I would have like to have seen the barricade turn and the death of Gavroche. Other than that count me in as a fan of this staging. IMO, it will bring in a lot of tourist attraction in light of the film's popularity.
I too hope they cast a wonderful Valjean, BUT if they don't cast Andrew Varela as Javert, they're nuts!
Honestly, I believe that tickets for NICE WORK will decline and probably after Matthew Broderick leaves in June. I have a feeling that Ramin Karimloo might come to NYC after he finishes Les Mis in Toronto. Alfie Boe also has an offer on the table to play Jean Valjean as well. We will see what happens
joined:5/20/11
Posted: 2/19/13 at 07:42pm