By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
With a group effort, "Les Miserables" wins the hearts of the people.
Once again guns are booming over the barricade and the orchestral accompaniment is robust in the newly imagined touring revival of Cameron Mackintosh's perennial classic written by France's Boublil and Schonberg, “Les Miserables.”
Presented by Broadway in Tucson at Centennial Hall, many of the lead voices in this New York based company have Broadway experience. Right from the opening minutes of the Bishop's (Andrew Maughan) passionate defense of Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) in the show's Prologue, we know we will be in good hands for the next three hours.
A few minutes later, Valjean's stirring “Soliloquy” seals the deal...and the real show hasn't even started yet.
Having noted the quality voices, next comes kudos for the new stage concepts created by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt.
Gone is that iconic barricade turntable stage first seen in the 1985 production. In its place is the less fanciful but astoundingly realistic combination of film projections and movable set pieces depicting indoor walls, outdoor streets and stairways.
Police inspector Javert's final dark moments on the Paris bridge become a complex trick of the eye that creates pure cinematic drama. Theatre purists may not be pleased by this moment of making the musical look like a movie, but it will leave you asking, “How did they do that?”
Going for more gritty realism at every turn, ominous mystery is added by keeping the stage in constant shadows, sometimes pulling down a scrim to deepen the darkness. Once again, if you aren't the sort of person who enjoys eating his meals in dimly lit restaurants, this may become disconcerting.
But it is, after all, the relentless surge of the French Revolution and Valjean's relentless pursuit by Javert that powers “Les Miz.” Close your eyes and get swept away by the conflicting commands of harsh rule pressing down the people and the people's desire for true justice.
Leading the charge are Nick Cartell's soaring, raging, rocketing tenor solos as Valjean. That voice has a rock star quality that will reach across the generations,
Heart rending contrast lies in the vulnerable, passionate love songs of Eponine (Paige Smallwood), Fantine (Mary Kate Moore) and Cosette (Jillian Butler). No amount of cynicism will protect you from their tenderness.
In any year and in every production, music is the heart of “Les Miserables.” Fully supporting each note on this stage is the touring orchestra of 16 musicians led by Brian Eads. In total, the success of this show truly is a group effort. Plan on being swept away.
“Les Miserables” continues through Sept. 9 in Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. at the University of Arizona. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5-6; 8 p.m. Sept. 7; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sept. 8; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Tickets are $29-$175. For details and reservations, broadwayintucson.com
