Anything but Miserable! - Les Misérables - Huxley Westemeier

Huxley Westemeier 

Les Misérables  

Anything but Miserable! 

In an era of blockbuster musicals relying on special effects and elaborate dance numbers to capture audience attention, Les Misérables is refreshing and minimalistic. The plot follows convict Jean Valjean throughout a timeless tale of rebellion, and introduces believable characters and melancholic moments that highlight the true brutality of love and war. This intricate storyline immersed in a backdrop of intriguing characters, grief, poverty, and passionate perseverance creates a powerful, intimate, and poignant experience.

I was pleasantly shocked by the pure talent of every cast member. Their convincing performances were assisted by amazing technical harmonies with great emotional range, thanks to precise direction by Laurence Connor (School of Rock, Miss Saigon) and James Powell (Mary Poppins). Nick Cartell (Jean Valjean) and Hayden Tee (Javert) were both fantastic, illustrating their character’s internal struggles with superb nuance and range through classic ballads such as Jean Valjean’s passionate “Who Am I?” and Javert’s haunting “Soliloquy” and Christine Heesun Hwang (Éponine) heartfelt vocals added sorrow and depth to her storyline. Despite having few dance numbers, the use of fight choreography and movement in provocative moments, enhanced by stellar vocals and imagery, created intense and dramatic moments, especially the famous barricade scene in Act Two that literally had me on the edge of my seat.

Les Misérables’s set is somewhat minimalistic and powerful. Large wooden structures representing period apartment buildings on either side of the stage move alongside multiple sliding panels providing a realistic, intimate backdrop for interior scenes. Multiple transparent scrims project elements such as gunshots or ocean waves, and there are many smaller automated wooden sets that appear, such as houses and a barricade formed with overturned chairs and tables. The majority of the show takes place on an almost barren stage to great effect, relying on the powerful characters, immersive lighting, vocals, special smoke effects, and ornate period costumes to sell the illusion of early 19th century France.

Claude-Michel Schönberg’s grand and triumphant score perfectly lifts the storyline, and many ballads expertly pull the audience into the intimate internal turmoil of the characters' troubled lives. While some of the songs felt excessive and repetitive near the end of Act Two, the score does alternate effortlessly between lighthearted and magnificent musical numbers to haunting ballads filled with emotion that brought tears to my eyes.

Les Misérables is a phenomenal production with a stellar cast, and balances pure emotion through powerful harmonies and lighthearted entertaining subplots. It successfully takes us all along through their emotional journey during an important moment in history. As the tagline says, it’s “Still The World’s Most Popular Musical”, so stop what you’re doing, grab your ticket, and jump into the immersive world of 19th century Paris to be transported by the meticulously crafted pure theater magic of Les Misérables. Vive la France!