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Les Miserables Reviews
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| 16 |
Good performances from actors..not very impressive vocals though. Review by: yhappy, Oct 17, 2007 |
| I enjoyed watching Les Miserables last weekend. The performances by the actors were very good. But they need improvement in the vocals department. Eponine (Lea Salonga) and Jean Valjean have the best vocals in the show but they their voices lack power. Stil I wouldn't mind watching it again. It was very entertaining. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 17 |
AMAZING Review by: Eric, Oct 1, 2007 |
| This was the most powerful and meaningful play i have ever seen!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 18 |
Review by: Nikki, Sep 21, 2007 |
| When I saw Les Miserables for the first time on Broadway I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be at the beginning but once it got to the part where the convict turns away Fantine from her pay after he turns his life around after he promises the priest. It got really excited in the middle and in the end. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 19 |
A Somewhat Mixed Blessing Review by: Anonymous Reviewer, Aug 22, 2007 |
I think that, overall, the staging and music in this production of Les Miserables were kept to the standard setup, albeit with the somewhat disappointing removal of the number "Little People" from the show.
The great dilemma that comes with this show is really how to rate the performers as a whole, since the casting is such a mixed blessing.
In the performance I saw, the great letdowns were Javert and Fantine.
Fantine was played ... read more by Daphne Ruben-Vega, the original Mimi in Rent, if I am not mistaken. Now, I understand that Ruben-Vega's voice is accurate as far as its dry, scratchy, hoarse sound, since Fantine did originally have tuberculosis in the story, I believe. However, in a staged musical, exceptions should usually be made. "I Dreamed a Dream" is too beautiful to be ruined by such a raspy voice, and I experienced none of the usual emotional reaction to the song. Her acting did not save her singing, either. Ruben-Vega seemed to shift between an excessively melodramatic caricature of the role, and a style that I can only compare to a three-year-old who has had a toy taken away from them by an older sibling.
Javert was a problem for a few reasons. First, not because I am racist (which I am not) but because I would like some historical accuracy in the part, Javert should not be black. However, after overcoming this relatively unimportant problem, I was still not finding myself swept up into the actor's portrayal of the role. Javert, who normally should at least dominate the stage, in this version appears to be more like "That guy who keeps showing up and trying to nab Valjean." His voice is to high for the part, which also renders his vocal performance somewhat unhelpful.
However, enough bad things. The first thing that struck me in this performance was Valjean, who was played here by Alex Gemignani. His acting puts much more personality into the role, and I, as someone who never liked Colm Wilkinson's acting or singing, was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Gemignani did not appear to care about Wilkinson's performance, and provided his own opinion of the character. His Bring Him Home was the first that ever truly gave me an emotional reaction, and his overall acting, physically and vocally, was brilliant.
Eponine was the other surprise. Played by someone from the original Spelling Bee cast (I am horrible with names, sorry), Eponine adds personality to a part that is usually portrayed as "the whiny girl who stalks Marius." The first time she runs on stage, I saw a spark in her eye that wasn't there in others I have seen playing her. She was not the whiny spoilt brat as she was in other versions, but instead struck me immediately as someone who had grown up and lived on the street, and had learned how to get around. She appeared to be as I try to imagine her: a girl who has learned to keep up with and outwit men who are stronger than her, and whose infatuation with Marius is almost an afterthought and a contradiction to her character, which is why their relationship never works out.
Overall, I would see this again just for the sake of seeing Valjean and Eponine again, and especially to see the new-and-improved Fantine (Ruben-Vega was replaced by Lea Salonga). |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 20 |
Well worth the money and well worth going time and time again..... Review by: polarcanuck, Aug 20, 2007 |
Having had the great fortune to witness Les Miz five times, I was engulfed by the powerful story and music combined with a great stage setting.
After reading some of the reviews I felt obliged to write this humble expression/opinion which is mine alone and what you should do like everyone else is take the time and present yourself with the gift of having seen this production at least once.
If you go back a second time please do ... read more so with an open mind and allow your imagination to flow with the story as it unflods, do not forecast the ending or anticipate the next song. See it with fresh virgin eyes and ears time and time again. Each production has its own strengths and weeknesses, so witness Les Miz for the first time every time you go. You will enjoy that much more as I did. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 21 |
Very moving - standing ovation well deserved Review by: Relative Broadway Newbie, Aug 14, 2007 |
| Went to see Les Mis for the first time this weekend - took my boyfriend and his parents. Having read a few negative reviews I was nervous that they might not enjoy the show but was pleasantly surprised. I have also seen Phantom (also great) and Rent (v. disappointing) on Broadway this year - Les Mis was my favourite of the three - the most moving, (almost) all the songs were fantastic, and performed with emotion. Would definitely recommend for ... read more anyone who has not seen yet. The show is suitable for everyone also. Standing ovation richly deserved. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Anyone
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| 22 |
Saw It 3 Times... Review by: , Aug 6, 2007 |
| I've seen this revival of this classic show 3 times, with 3 different kinds of people. I saw Alexander Gemignani twice and the new Valjean, Drew Sarich once. I thought that Gemignani did a better job at looking the part for sure, but Drew Sarich's vocals were equally compared to Gemignani's. Strangley, I had the understudy of the role of Eponine twice when I saw it before, and I was suprised that by the third time she had finally ... read more received the part. She has excellent vocal skills! I have not seen any other version of Les Mis, so I could not compare to the other ones, but the show did seem to have changed some orchestrations, particularly in the song "One Day More," which did affect my open a little bit. But still, the actors and actresses had great voices and I thought the acting for the most part was good. I would defanetly recommend someone to see it if they have yet to see it! Along with Phantom, these are truly the most exceptional shows which everyone should see! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists, Adults
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| 23 |
Cold Cold Les Miz Review by: barbene, Jul 24, 2007 |
I wanted to see this revival of Les Miz purely to see Lea Salonga who has one of the most beautiful voices.
Unfortunately I had a lousy seat in the last row of the Orchestra seated behind a giant of a man. My only fortune was being able to perch on the upturned end of the seat, but this became quite uncomfortable after a short while.
With the low overhang from the Mezanine, the theatre really did not provide a good view despite paying ... read more full price for the ticket.
Being so far away and with my heavily obstructed view, I probably would not have known Lea Salonga was performing except for the fact that there was no cast change notice in the programme ! Therefore, I was quite disappointed as her performance certainly did not make as great an impression on me as my upturned seat did on my backside !!
I found the overall performance a bit like a poor man's staging of Les Miz. It lacked the emotion, the depth and the required strong character acting from the cast. Not as bad as a High School version, but I am sure it would have come close.
Honestly speaking this production does not do justice the greatness of Les Miz, which is surely one of (if not the) greatest musical of our generation at least.
If you are looking for emotion and power, go see Fantasia in The Color Purple. That will truly change your life.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 24 |
Review by: andyvk, Jul 4, 2007 |
| I saw Les Mis, on July 3rd for my second time. I took a friend. Like the previous reviwer I had seen the show in Feb. and I must say it was better back then. I saw BEN CRAWFORD as Javery and he was the understudy, he was really amazing. Everyone was excellent, except I did not like the master of the house and his wife. The previous people were AWEOSOME and these people were way to cute. They were not that funny. I love the story and I ... read more loved this performance, it was just a little harder to watch with some of the cast changes. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 25 |
Not worth going back to. Review by: jongold, Jul 3, 2007 |
| Saw Le Miz yesterday. I actually saw it in May and took my parents back to see it as I loved it so much. What a disappointment. Many of the principle cast members have changed since May. I think Lea Salonga was among the only ones the same. The Javert was an understudy I think, and should stay that way. The new Eponine is terrible. Nice voice but absolutly no heart. The show was more of a concert performance and really has lost its ... read more breathlessness with the recent cast changes. Too bad. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 26 |
In Love Again Review by: 24601, Jul 3, 2007 |
| I fell in love with Les Miz the very first time I saw it. Over the past three years, I have seen it 4 more times and, because of some mediocre performances - including one in London as well as on Broadway in February - I had fallen out of love with it. However, Having just seen it on Broadway again, I am happy to say that I am in love again. Alex ( Valjean) has the power to convey the emotion of his character. Lea was waaayyyy better than Daphne ... read more ( who was laughable, at best). I don't really like the "Ten Little Bullets" Gavroche song, but by the end, was balling, tears just streaming. Thank you for making me fall in love again!!!!!!!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 27 |
Review by: Ron, Jul 1, 2007 |
| Oh my! This is the first time I watched broadway... Les Mis is good though there were some yawning moments but still worth it... and that Fantine or Fontine, she's unbelievably good!!! Excellent performance!!! |
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Recommended for:
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| 28 |
Glad I saw it, but wouldn't see again. Review by: , Jun 27, 2007 |
| I am going to say the show was mediocre. The rotating stage looked excessively cheap. For a Broadway show this was lacking in visuals. The performances were good, but that is to be expected of broadway. Unfortuantly, nothing special here. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Tourists
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| 29 |
Review by: , Jun 25, 2007 |
I have seen so many Broadway shows over the years and have to say that Les Miserables continues to be my all-time favorite! You seem to get lost in the story line, lost in the characters and lost in story time. I never found music that reaches into my heart the way this music does. It is a must-see, and, a "will want to see again".
P.I. from PA |
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| 30 |
Take the family Review by: brewster, Jun 13, 2007 |
| Saw Le Miz last night. My sister and brother-in-law are in for vacation and have never been to a Broadway show. Figured I'd take them to a classic. The cast delivered, and then some. Great orchestration, costumes, etc. and the cast was something else. Jean ValJean took every scene his was in...as did Eponine. Both amazing talents who really played with your heart and delivered stellar performances. It was my first time seeing Lea Salonga ... read more in a show. She seemed vocally strained last night, but still showed evidence of a Tony award winning actress. See the show for the music, story and you'll be won over by the cast. Nice to be able to take the entire family to a show, as you options are limited these days. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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