Les Misérables, A Show Not To Miss - Liam Hart

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"One Day More" from Les Misérables. Photo by Matthew Murphy.


Les Misérables, or Les Miz (or Les Mis), is an astonishing show. Set in France in the early 1800s and covering a span of over twenty years, the characters grow and change as the show progresses. The story about Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) being hunted by a police officer, Javert (Nick Rehberger), for years shows both characters’ determination to uphold their principles and encourages the audience to do the same.

Opening on November 19th for a two-week stay at Minneapolis’s Orpheum Theatre, the show came with an exciting energy that could be felt throughout the theatre as the 1987 Tony award-winning show returned to Minneapolis with Claude-Michel Schönberg’s incredible music.

As Valjean lifts a runaway cart to free a person trapped underneath, Javert approaches him and tells him of an arrest of someone who looks similar to Valjean with strong strength, a key trait of his. Valjean then questions whether or not to come forward as himself or allow the wrongful prosecution of the other. It is rejuvenating that he chooses to come forward and free the innocent man by revealing his identity because of his strong personal morals.

From a technical aspect, the projections (Finn Ross), lights (Paule Constable), sounds (Mick Potter), and sets (Matt Kinley) are all above expectations. As the set seamlessly transitions from one location to another, nine motorized tracks in the stage carry set pieces away and contribute to a higher-level show. With 148 speakers it would have been a disappointment if the audio wasn’t absolutely superb, but when the rattles of gunfire and battles on stage can be felt, not just heard, it is impossible to be disappointed. The combination of projections and motorized set movement allows for more visible differences in the locations depicted by the set, from a Parisian home to a factory and more.

The onstage combat, including the Paris Uprising of 1832, was in-depth and included lighting for people when they died and shots that rang out simultaneously. The movements of each actor were a captivating experience despite the surprisingly fast recovery after the battle had ended. It felt unnatural to be in battle one moment then turn around and seemingly act like it never happened.

The production spurs thoughts about faith and religious beliefs such as when Javert and Valjean pray before they each die and when Valjean is taken in by the Bishop of Digne (Randy Jeter). The selfless actions of the Bishop in addition to Jean Valjean’s when he adopts Little Cosette (Greta Schaefer) show the choices we make can benefit others. This theme was continually reinforced through the characters’ choices and how they panned out, good and bad.

With each passing minute of this powerful, thought-provoking, outstanding show, thoughts arise in your mind that cause you to see that you can’t escape the past despite how hard you try. It also spurs similar thoughts about how willing you’d be to fight for what you want, something no one in this show gave up on. Les Miserables is in Minneapolis through December 1st before heading to Detroit, Michigan.

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