BWW Reviews: Miraculous LES MISERABLES Lights up Skylight's Stage

As 2013 draws to a close, is there a world the audience longs to see? A future world where dignity, harmony, freedom, love and peace can exist? Part of this future can be discovered when the Skylight Music Theatre presents their production of LES MISERABLES that runs through December 29 in the Cabot Theatre at Milwaukee's Broadway Theatre Center.

For in this production, the future of the Skylight can be cheered under Artistic Director Viswa Subbaraman and the genius of director Molly Rhode has clearly arrived. Applause and a standing ovation on opening night barely begin the accolades for the Claude-Michel Schönberg music and Alain Boublil lyrics translated by Herbert Kretzmer. The production pays a powerful tribute to the 1987 musical's enduring success and Rhode's undeniable genius to transform the musical's grand scale to humane intimacy.

Renowned literary figure Victor Hugo required almost 17 years to write Les MIsérables and the musical adaptation has been in production somewhere in world for an equally long time. His epic story carries the birth pangs of the French Revolution's heart into the 20th and 21st centuries, how the light of grace illuminates the dark in very personal and public places, the soul.

Under Rhode's direction, with the assistance of Subbaraman, and merged with Peter Dean Beck's scenic and lighting design, the Skylight strips away the large scale production to the essence of each character's humanity, which crystallizes to perfection on stage. Rhode appears to frame each scene into an exquisitely arranged painting. Exemplified by how Rhode stages the drama from the moment the young Cozette, walks out on stage and orchestrates the opening of the curtain. Or when three red flags wave against a red and black backdrop to end the first act, or when Marius and Eponine hold each other in their arms behind the barricade.

Rhode also draws on the techniques she learned from her years at the First Stage Theater Academy, she was one of the first graduates, and perhaps used a model developed by First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank when he adapted a Japanese theater technique. In several scenes, Rhode uses disguised actors to hold huge rings mimicking the underground sewers or an iron rail to imagine one of the high bridges in Paris to great effect.

A spectacular cast fulfills Hugo's attempt at underscoring the plight of the poor and the difficulties rising above one's supposed mistakes under Rhode's vision. Luke Grooms surpasses grand expectations when his Valjean tries to redeem his life as a man maligned for 19 years in prison when he steals a loaf of bread to feed a hungry child. He promises to the dying Fantine (a lovely Susan Spencer) he will take care of her orphan child Cozette. Even when pushed to The Edge by the lieutenant and inspector who pursues him his entire life for breaking parole, Javert, an embodied by the haughty Andrew Varela, Valjean refuses to take Javert's life, another life, at his own hand.

When the musical continues, the pure of heart Valjean transforms again by saving the young Marius,(a handsome Kevin Massey) for his adopted daughter Cozette played as an adult by a riveting Susan Wiedmeyer, though the lonely Eponine, a accomplished Melissa Fife, sacrifices herself for Marius's love.

Three young performers in this production prove that little people can be equally as impressive and memorable even though small in stature, including Jake Koch of the Paris cast playing Gavroche, who steals a few scenes. Scenes accompanied by the 13-piece orchestra under the superb musical direction of Robert Linder to produce an unforgettable theater experience.

In one evening, many moments rise on the Cabot Stage during the Skylight's LES MISERABLES audiences will remember and cherish for their miraculous impact.The tender yet brutal story places a contrast between what is righteous and what is humane. Places higher human love on a pedestal by shining a light on love of country, love between parent and child, love for a comrade or friend, and love for another person, a partner, front and center.

In this production, the light of human love pierces the darkness of hate and revenge to reveal miracles amid the tragedies of common life, to create a better world. The Skylight's revelation on the stage of LES MISERABLES evokes memories similar to an outstanding masterpiece on stage. Everyone who sits mesmerized in the audience will certainly remember the finale when Valjean announces to an audience, some with tears in their eyes, "When you love someone, you see the face of God."

The Skylight Music Theatre presents LES MISERABLES in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center through December 29. For further information or tickets please call 414.291.7800 or www.skylightmusictheater.org.

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