BWW Reviews: Arizona Broadway Theatre's LES MIS Is Magnificent! Thus, A Bouquet of Bravos!

Magnificent is not a descriptor to be used lightly. It embodies such attributes as breathtaking, striking, spectacular, awesome, inspiring, masterly, and virtuoso ~ all of which must unequivocally be applied to Arizona Broadway Theatre's current production of LES MISERABLES.

The first accolade, therefore, goes to Director James Rio for his exceptional staging of the classic story of a French peasant's journey from imprisonment to redemption.

There is a timeless relevance to Victor Hugo's story of Jean Valjean, captured famously in the celebrated musical adaptation by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel (English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer) ~ a relevance that, in this day and age of polarization and narcissism, compels reflection about social and economic injustice.

Righteousness takes many forms in this fugitive's odyssey. It resides in the charity of the Bishop who bestows mercy on Valjean. It seethes in the hearts of the revolutionaries who seek to overthrow a repressive regime. It is at the core of those who love, even if that love is unrequited. It is the engine that drives Valjean's nemesis, Inspector Javert, in his relentless pursuit of the man who has violated his parole. It is, ultimately, the essence of Valjean whose travails might have inspired in a lesser man a thirst for revenge but instead have elevated him to a paragon of selfless charity.

In contrast to the righteous, Hugo's depiction of 1830's France had its share of larcenous characters ~ the unscrupulous innkeepers, the prostitutes and pimps, and the predators ~ brought to their crimes in part by the inequities of tyranny.

Giving texture to these variations on righteousness and of character requires an ensemble of especially gifted talents. Of these, there is no shortage among the brilliant cast of ABT's Les Mis.

Thus, I offer a bouquet of bravos to the following standouts:

Kiel Klaphake (ABT's visionary Executive Producer and Founder) for his rich and nuanced performance ~ and stunning and soulful tenor ~ as the evolving Jean Valjean;

Mark DiConzo whose portrayal of Javert perfectly complements Klaphake's Valjean and captures the lawman's inevitable vulnerability;

Donald Groves whose appearance as the Bishop de Digne while albeit brief is memorable for its depth and priestly resonance;

Patton Chandler as Marius and Laurie Elizabeth Gardner as Cosette for their remarkable portrayal of young lovers caught up in the storm and stress of the revolution and Valjean's travails;

Carly Grossman for both the beauty of her vocalization and her authentic and poignant portrayal of Eponine;

Brad Rupp and Johanna Carlisle for their comic sensibility in knocking out just the right amount of sinister as the wily and unscrupulous Monsieur and Madame Thénardier;

Tristan Klaphake whose touching performance as Gavroche, the street urchin who symbolizes the spirit of the rebellion, is proof positive that the fruit of his artistic family doesn't fall far from the tree.

The construction of this production is equally outstanding for its technical seamlessness and integrity. So, bravos as well to:

Mark 4man and orchestra for an exhilarating and moving performance of the score; and

Paul Black whose arrangement of both set and lighting can only be described as magical for the distinctive moods they create throughout the show.

The intersection of N. 77th Avenue and Paradise Lane in Peoria, Arizona looks nothing like the environs of Times Square, but within the edifice on that corner, Arizona Broadway Theatre has rolled out a production of Les Mis that is as good as any you'll see on the Great White Way.

Catch the show as soon as you can. Les Mis continues its run at Arizona Broadway Theatre through April 4th.

Photo credit to Arizona Broadway Theatre

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