Now
that Les Miz is available in different forms than on stage, including the old
DVD concert version and the spectacular new movie, it may seem redundant to
plop down money for a live performance.
But
the 25th Anniversary production of the Cameron MacIntosh production,
now at the Palace Theatre at PlayhouseSquare reminds one of the power living,
breathing actors can bring. Not to mention impressive backdrop scenery inspired
by the paintings of the author, Victor Hugo, who started this whole shebang.
And
for those who love the film but were left with a bad taste in their mouth from
Russell Crowe’s stupendously hollow performance as Inspector Javert, here is
your palate cleanser.
In
this version, the music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
are voiced with assurance and intensity by the company.
Although
he appears to be a bit small for the role of the muscular Jean Valjean, Peter
Lockyer grows into those huge shoes and, by the second act, in “Bring Him
Home,” he brings down the house.
The
same is true for Andrew Varela as Inspector Javert. His powerful rendition of
“Stars” will hopefully forever expunge the memory of Crowe’s whisper-singing
and his papier-mache-head-on-a-stick acting. Genevieve LeClerc is an adequate
if not riveting Fantine, and Devin Ilaw sings robustly as Marius.
There
are a couple soft spots. Joseph Spieldenner never quite exudes the slobbering,
craven downside of the Innkeeper, while Natalie Beck as his wife almost goes
too far in the other direction.
And
in this version, the staging of little Gavroche’s death is much less gripping
since it happens out of sight.
But
as you watch the actors, directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, interact
with the moody backdrops, and listen to those familiar songs soar, the small quibbles
are reduced to blips.
The
movie is fantastic (minus the one exception mentioned above), but there will
always be a place for Lex Miz the stage musical, since it connects on a
visceral level that nothing else can match.
Les
Miserables
Through
February 10 at the Palace Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, 1615 Euclid Avenue, 216-241-6000
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