LES MISERABLES by Carol Kaufman Segal

            
After performing on Broadway for 2 ½ years, Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Les Miserables is playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.  It features new staging and scenery that brings this musical back to life again with its captivating story, based on the novel by Victor Hugo.  The story is told through the outstanding music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean Marc Natel.  Just a few of the memorable songs include I Dreamed A Dream, One Day More, On My Own, and Bring Him Home.

             
Les Miserables takes place during the repercussions of the French Revolution in 19^th century France with Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell), a prisoner being brutalized on a workforce for stealing a loaf of bread.  He eventually escapes his bondage, and once free, he is fortunate to gain help from someone who turns his life around.   He becomes caring of other people, a man of compassion.  However, he is continually sought after by his adversary, Inspector Javert (Josh Davis).  Valjean eventually ends up in Paris and becomes involved in the Student Revolution where he learns the meaning of life, love, and deliverance.

Other characters, who impact Valjean’s life and are important to the full story and final outcome, are Fantine (Mary Kate Moore), Eponine (Paige Smallwood), Cosette (Jillian Butler), Madame Thenardier (Allison Guinn), Thenardier (J Anthony Crane), and Marius (Josh A. Grosso).

            
The Broadway production of Les Miserables opened March 12, 1987 and closed May 18, 2003, after 6,680 performances.  It is the fifth longest-running Broadway show in history.  Theatre-goers always rush to see it when and where it reopens.  This includes people who have never seen it and look forward to the opportunity of doing so, and those who long to revive their memories of it due to its captivating music and interesting story. 

            
The production at the Pantages Theatre is riveting with the wonderful music performed by an exceptional cast and staging.  Though it runs three hours, the time passes all too quickly. As much as I enjoyed the show and the cast, I have to admit that I found it difficult, at times, to understand the words they were singing, and found the women’s voices exceptionally weak in resonance.


 Les Miserables plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM, through June 2, at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd,, Los Angeles.  Tickets and/or information are available by calling (800) 982-2787, or online at www.hollywoodpantages.com.

           

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