Les Miserables was my introduction to musical theatre, and has held a special place in my heart for twenty five years. I was fortunate enough to see the Original Canadian Cast in 1987, and have returned to the show that ignited my love for all things musical many times over the years. So naturally I was nervous when I heard that the latest "25th Anniversary Tour" was actually a new production, with changes to my beloved show. For me, Les Miserables was a perfect piece of musical theatre - one of those shows where, as an audience member, you could easily forgive obvious problems because the production as a whole was so powerful and special. I couldn't fathom it being changed without ending in disaster, and I know many people were concerned that the show would somehow lose the magic that has kept it alive for a quarter of a century.
These concerns are completely unwarranted. The new production is simply stunning, and breathes new life into the classic tale. For those who don't know, Les Miserables is based on Victor Hugo's classic novel about right and wrong, good versus evil and ultimately, the survival of the human spirit. The 25th Anniversary Tour features new staging, scenery and costumes largely inspired by paintings of Victor Hugo. I recently saw the production during its sold-out engagement at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
A musical doesn't last a quarter of a century without a spectacular score, and the score to Les Miserables is virtually untouched in this new production. Instead, the creative team focuses on changes to the set that serve to accentuate the story. I don't want to give away any of the changes as the surprise was part of the joy of the production, but suffice it to say they work extremely well, and serve to further flesh out the story.
The show begins with a gorgeous backdrop painting of Victor Hugo's, and just the first few notes of the Overture will sweep you up in the magic of Les Miserables. Ron Sharpe plays the convict Jean Valjean, with Andrew Varela playing his nemesis - Police Inspector Javert. Both men rise to the occasion in difficult roles and give outstanding performances. Their voices complement each other well, and when they square off in songs like "Confrontation" it's a joy to listen to. Both men also act their roles with panache, as they struggle with questions of morality and the internal conflict both deal with throughout the story. These two roles are challenging because they span decades and the characters go through intense transformations. The new staging further helps the actors accomplish this goal, so that by the end of the show the audience feels they have grown along with the characters. In the end, you are left to question your own beliefs of what is right and what is wrong, and the issue of who the real "villain" of the story is becomes properly muddled, adding to the power of the story.
As Valjean, Ron Sharpe shows us just how powerful this role can be when done right. Jean Valjean carries the story of Les Miserables, and it also happens to be the most vocally demanding role in the show. Mr. Sharpe did a wonderful job of showing the growth of Jean Valjean from a jaded and emotionally confused convict on the run to an established father, friend and man of moral integrity. During the show's pinnacle number "Bring Him Home" Mr. Sharpe seemed to struggle to hit some of the higher notes; however, the raw emotion he conveys throughout the song more than made up for the minor difficulty he was experiencing. By the end the audience is genuinely invested in Valjean and his plight.
On the other side of the law is Inspector Javert, played by Andrew Varela (who played the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway before stepping into the role of Javert). Mr. Varela delivers a consistently strong performance, and does a fabulous job of showcasing the internal conflict Javert experiences. The role is one that I have too often seen played one-dimensionally, with Javert simply being a man of the law who we, the audience, root against because of his conflict with Valjean. However, Mr. Varela makes excellent use of some of the directorial changes to expand on the character of Javert and make him more human. In his Act I show-stopper "Stars" he convinces us that this man feels his way is the ONLY way, yet by the time "Javert's Suicide" comes in Act II we can see a man who is broKen Down and extremely conflicted.
