A Performance Worth Dreaming Of - Lés Misérables - Maya Athena

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 Maya Athena 

Lés Misérables 

A Performance Worth Dreaming Of


Without a doubt, Lés Misérables, brilliantly adorned with glorious vocals and design, swept every last audience member off their feet on December 7, 2022 at the Orpheum Theatre. A combination of the enthralling story by Victor Hugo and the equally mesmerizing compositions of Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lés Misérables certainly entranced the audience, leaving them in awe. 

Lés Misérables, undisputedly known as one of the most popular musicals, tells the tale of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who reinvents himself in society as he is being chased by Javert, an officer from the prison. Jean Valjean finds himself in the midst of social conflict and matters of the heart throughout his life through illustrious song. 

While every single voice on stage shone in its own way, the vocals of Haley Dortch (Fantine) lit up the stage. The infamous song, “I Dreamed a Dream” was performed with unmatched artistry and was a showstopping performance. However, Dortch wasn’t the only singing sensation up on stage. Eponine, played by Christine Heesun Hwang, began the second act phenomenally with “On My Own,” provoking an awestrucked ovation. Of course, the star of the show, Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) blew everyone away with talent that wasn’t only magnificent but filled with sustained energy throughout the show. 

Tasteful design and grand set pieces accompanied the actors on stage, accentuating every moment of song, dance and dialogue. Automated set pieces provided flawless transitions between songs and scenes, and married with every action on stage. Light, simply but emblematically highlighted the characters, detailing the atmosphere subtly. Costume embellished the characterization of each personality on stage, with a highlight in Jean Valjean’s smooth progression in age, defined in his various cosmetic details.  Inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the digital backdrop was definitely one technical element that is surely of note. Perfectly-timed and charmingly designed, the background transported the audience in Jean Valjean’s story, as if they were in France themselves.

In conjunction with the outstanding vocal music of the performance, the pit orchestra was truly a wow-factor of Lés Misérables. Every instrument was a performer itself with beautiful compositions to accompany it, overflowing the proscenium with their unparalleled melodies and harmonies. 

Barely any element fell lower than the rest, however with a show that runs almost three hours, a continuous pace is necessary. While the show was well timed-out, a few moments here and there ran slow, drawing out moments that didn’t necessarily need to be that long. This seldom incident was visible only during the slower-paced moments, and besides those, the show ran swiftly and smoothly. 

Every foundational aspect and delicate embellishment culminated in a breathtaking display of heartfelt drama and elated excitement leaving the audience applauding on their feet at the end of it all. This moving and sublime musical is surely to leave you speechless in awe and is truly a performance worth dreaming of. 


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