To demonstrate the ongoing production of this show and to showcase the experiences of many people from different ages, the first musical performance of Victor Hugo’s story, which originated in 1862, continues to intertwine with the struggles of living in 19th century France. We are able to witness the story of a man who continues to run from his past and share his journey as we watch “Les Misérables,” dubbed as one of the most classic Broadway shows, on the National Broadway Tour, hosted by the Kennedy Center for the next two weeks.
This stage was a shifting energy with new difficulties that made it seem easy. It is not an easy feat to run this time-consuming and emotionally intense show, with large moving set pieces and a challenging and lengthy score. Miz Les is a beast of a show to take on. The energy brought to the intriguing story by the young and relatively new cast was captivating. As someone who has seen the show many times over the years, this rendition of the classic musical stood out from the rest.
The audience was very entertained by witnessing this emotional effect that the cast had placed upon them. Throughout the entire performance, the audience shared many smiles, screams, laughs, and gasps, showing how captivated they were. I noticed that in this production, the ad libs were not as apparent as in previous runs, but the flow of the story and its authenticity further transported me. Everyone seemed very engaged with each other. There was a unique sense of playfulness present in the cast. The majority of the show has a very serious tone.
It is evident how much Cartell has grown to embody and develop the character of Jean Valjean to his fullest potential, indicating how much he has avoided his past. As Valjean’s age tires him, you can see how much he has endured over the years in the story, making it very enjoyable to watch Jean Valjean’s life unfurl with Cartell’s storytelling. This brought a deeper sense of maturity to the role, and I was very excited to see his performance again, having seen Cartell in other runs of Les Miz. Cartell always stuns everyone in the theater as he continues to reign as the veteran Jean Valjean.
The tone of her performance was absolutely fantastic, adding more emotion and depth to the well-known story. Everyone was hooked as soon as the popular tune began, and Haley Dortch immediately brought everyone to feel and see Fantine’s struggles. Her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” blew everyone away, and newcomer Haley Dortch continues to receive praise for her vocal performances in Les Miz.
Hwang flawlessly executed her role as Éponine and portrayed her character’s feelings with precision. She also acted with authenticity, not just pretending to feel the emotions. She hoped to show the audience how the character’s life ended, but it was an emotional task. Hwang’s immense talent stood out in this role, making her another newcomer to the tour. Another incredible performance by Hwang Heesun as Christine, the vocal talent of Éponine.
Performances. The lightheartedness sprinkled throughout the show provided a sense of entertainment. I found myself watching the entire show without even realizing it, as the characters’ choices were top-notch and fun to watch. The work between Hall and Crowle in “The House of Master” was so much fun, and we were all eagerly waiting for it. Madame Thénardier (played by Rose Christina Hall) and her husband (played by Matt Crowle) were comic relief in such a heavy show, and we can’t forget about them. Impressively, Devin Archer as Enjorlas and Boyd Truman Preston as Javert, Addie Morales as Cosette, and Lee Gregory Rodriguez as Marius all delivered outstanding performances.
Les Misérables was a fantastic show with a captivating story and outstanding performances. The music was superb, and the vocals were absolutely astonishing. I highly recommend grabbing tickets before they sell out, and I would definitely love to see this wonderful production again.