[NEohioPAL] REVIEW: Les Miserables from Canton Players Guild Theatre

[Tom Wachunas via NEohioPAL]

Amazing Grace

By Tom Wachunas

    “… a progress from evil to good, frominjustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, from night to day, from appetiteto conscience, from corruption to life; from bestiality to duty, from hell toheaven, from nothingness to God…” –Victor Hugo, from Les Misérables

    Considered among the greatest literaryworks of the 19th century, Victor Hugo’s 1862 historical novel, Les Misérables,is a philosophically and spiritually rigorous examination of a society caughtin the throes of revolution that culminates in the June Rebellion of 1832 inParis. The beloved musical adaptation is a monumentally dramatic landscape ofpoverty and despair, of wrecked hearts and shattered dreams, of moral turpitudeand the transformative power of forgiveness, compassion, and love.


    This toweringsung-through narrative presented by Canton’s Players Guild Theatre was directedby Jonathan Tisevich, who has also taken on the daunting role of the centralcharacter, Jean Valjean. The production features a remarkably skilled cast andensemble. In conjunction with the polished musicality of the live orchestradirected by Steve Parsons, the expressive lighting and sound design by ScottSutton, and robust scenic and costume design by Joshua Erichsen, the entireevening crackles with all the panache of a Broadway encounter. 


      Tisevichdelivers a riveting portrait of a man at first rancorous and destitute after 19years of unjust imprisonment, but who ultimately finds purpose and redemptioneven as he must face the ceaseless pursuit of police inspector Javert. In thatrole, Matthew Horning is a scary and rigid presence, effectively conveying avengeful self-righteousness and annoyance at Valjean’s goodness. 


    Thecaliber of vocal prowess demonstrated by the cast members is remarkably high -at times operatically nuanced - including commanding  performances from  Jimmy Ferko as the young revolutionary, Marius,who is in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, Cosette (Carly Ameling); DarylRobinson as Enjolras, the people’s leader; and young Zachary Charlick asGavroche, a delightfully scrappy boy-provocateur. Miah Bickley plays thehapless Eponine. Her powerful rendering of the wrenching ballad, “On My Own,” isa compelling embodiment of sadness over her unrequited love for Marius. 


    In a particularlyendearing interlude during Act I, eight year-old Corrin Smith as Little Cosettesings “Castle on a Cloud.” As she imagines a happier life and a loving mother, thereseems to be an old, hurting soul resonant in her plaintive, crystalline voice.Earlier on, an even more gnawing hurt and vulnerability comes through withheart-piercing impact when Keitha Brown, as Cosette’s mother, Fantine, condemnedto a cruel (and fatal) life on the streets, sings “I Dreamed a Dream.”


   Fear not, there issome comic relief from all this woe. Micah Harvey and Maureen Thomas aredeliciously crude, rude and conniving as the Thenardiers, thieving innkeepersfrom whom Valjean must purchase the abused Little Cosette. “Master of theHouse” is a show-stopping emsemble romp around the tavern executed with rabidglee. Who knew that such insouciant criminality could be so hilarious?    

     That said, the most emotionally andspiritually potent passage of the evening transpires nearly midway through thesecond act when Valjean sings “Bring Him Home,” a soul-searing prayer for thelife of Marius. Mr. Tisevich doesn’t just rise to the occasion. He defines it.Throughout this gripping anthem that declares all of Valjean’s hope and faithand pain, his voice progressively soars as if driven by a preternatural force.I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. 


    And how could itbe otherwise? For it was in that mesmerizing moment of bittersweet supplicationthat I appreciated Tisevich not only as the astonishingly gifted actor andsinger that he is, but also for his indisputable strengths as a director. Clearlyhe’s been blessed with the ineffable capacity to channel his impassionedreading of the story into his ardent cast and ensemble. They in their turnreturn the favor and pour it generously into us, the audience.


   Their cup runneth over, as it were. And we’reall the better for it. 


        LesMisérables, Players Guild Theatre (Mainstage), 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton,Ohio / Performances THROUGH MAY 31, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sundays at2:00 PM / Single Tickets $25; 17 and younger $19; Seniors $23 / BOX OFFICE -330.453.7617 or  www.playersguildtheatre.com 

    For othercommentaries by Tom Wachunas on the arts in Canton, please see his blog,ARTWACH, at www.artwach.blogspot.com


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