[NEohioPAL] Review of "Les Misérables" at PlayhouseSquare

[Bob Abelman]

'Les Misérables' anniversary tour has a newfound Sheen

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the Times papers 4/14/11

 

A truly bizarre clash of cultural icons took place at PlayhouseSquare this week.

 

The new 25th anniversary touring production of the world's longest-running musical, Les Misérables, opened at the Palace Theatre while notorious bad boy Charlie Sheen performed his one man, one night stand My Violent Torpedo of Truth at the State Theatre next door.

 

While the half of TV's now defunct Two and a Half Men met the low expectations of his audience, the cast of Les Miz failed to meet the high expectations of theirs.

 

Les Miz continues to be a magnificent piece of Victor Hugo-inspired storytelling.

 

It's 1815 and after 19 years on a chain gang for stealing a loaf of bread, Frenchman Jean Valjean seeks redemption.  He does so by changing his name, becoming a wealthy business owner and mayor of a town, and raising the young daughter of a fired employer who became a prostitute.  Years later, the country is in a state of revolution and Valjean and his daughter Cosset's fates become intertwined with the young students leading the rebellion.  All the while, Valjean is hunted by the obsessive and self-righteous Inspector Javert. 

 

Claude-Michel Schönberg's music and Herbert Kretzmer's lyrics hold up beautifully as well.  The songs are as memorable and moving as ever, and the orchestra under the direction of Robert Billig-who directed the original Broadway production-fills the theater with rich, vibrant sound.

 

What has changed are the show's production values.  They have been re-envisioned for this tour, with the illusion of movement once produced by actors dramatically marching in place on a rotating turntable replaced by actors dramatically marching in place in front of rear projections of shifting images inspired by Hugo's paintings.  The effect gives additional dimensionality to the action and is absolutely riveting at times.

 

Oddly, either the tour's projections or the projection screen is clearly not one-size-fits all (unlike Mr. Sheen), so much of the imagery does not fill the vast backspace of the Palace Theater.  

 

Less dimensional and significantly less riveting are the performances turned in my most of the players in this production.  While the voices of the featured cast and the ensemble are truly phenomenal, the acting is not.

 

Yes, this play is epic, operatic and implicitly dramatic.  For 25 years, the acting in productions throughout the world has been grand and larger than life.  However, acting choices in this production seem to have been influenced by the World Wrestling Federation rather than directors Laurence Connor and James Powell.  Authenticity is replaced by caricature (not unlike Mr. Sheen).  

 

Particularly guilty of this is Ron Sharpe as a replacement Jean Valjean, Betsy Morgan as Fantine, Chasten Harmon as Eponine, Shawna Hamic as Madame Thenardier, and assorted rebellious students including Jeremy Hays as Enjolas and Joseph Spieldenner as Grantaire.  In contrast, Andrew Varela as Javert is brilliant.

 

Actors are not only out-of-step with their roles but occasionally out-of-tempo, jostling with the conductor for control of this production.  The production team is out-of-sorts as well, with set pieces still shifting during scenes and set movers clearly visible and audible throughout the production.

 

Les Miz has become deservingly sacrosanct, given its heritage, history and accomplishments.   It is hard and heartbreaking to find fault with this wonderful piece of theater.  But this much-touted 25th anniversary tour appears to be a tad road weary and maladjusted (not unlike Mr. Sheen) during its opening night in Cleveland, lapsing into rote performances and unwarranted carelessness (not unlike Mr. Sheen).  

 

Despite these shortcomings, it is clear that the true les misérables were not on stage but, rather, the folks who paid upwards of $79.50 for the spectacle next door.

 

 Les Misérables continues through April 17 at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre.  For tickets, visit www.playhousesquare.com.
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