This was the first time I’d seen the show in three years, and I was really excited to be seeing it! I mean, I did fly all the way to Vancouver to see it! 🙂 So did my friend Jackie, who actually came out all the way from Toronto!! Here’s the review I sent my friends:
Look Down–really good. I could tell the Valjean was going to be great. Unfortunately, I could also tell I wasn’t going to like the Javert very much at all. His lines here, where Javert needs to be really strong and commanding, were very weak and unimpressive. But the chorus was just great. I picked Rich Affanato (Marius) out right away. 🙂 All through the show, I was impressed by people in smaller roles. Anyway, the whole
sequence with Valjean until he gets to the Bishop was great. I had forgotten how much I liked that revolving stage. 🙂 The guy who played the Bishop was wonderful!! I mean, normally it’s not a role you pay very much attention to, but his voice was great! But I couldn’t seem to pick him out in any of his later roles.
What Have I Done?–fabulous! I had been getting kinda worried, ’cause Greg Stone (Valjean) had this tendency to speak a lot of words instead of singing them during the first few bits, but this song proved he could indeed sing. And the audience was VERY enthusiastic, which is always so much more fun.
At the End of the Day–really good. Lisa Capps as Fantine was fabulous!! A very pretty voice. So I Dreamed a Dream was great too. First time I saw this show, I cried at this song. I didn’t this time. I don’t know why…it was very moving, but I didn’t even tear up.
Lovely Ladies–really funny, actually! I think the first time, I was a little shocked at the vulgarity ’cause I wasn’t expecting it. But I enjoyed the scene quite a bit this time. When Javert returned, he sounded completely different. It’s as if he went backstage after the first part and decided, “Okay, I better actually try to be Javert now.” Only problem was, he adopted this really throaty, growly type voice that sounded frighteningly similar to Robert Cuccioli’s Hyde. 🙂 So I still wasn’t too fond of him. Greg Stone was even better as “Monsieur Madeleine” than as Valjean. And Fantine continued to impress me. The runaway cart was cool…I didn’t remember much of this scene from the first time.
Who Am I?–incredible! And that scene change to the courtroom has always been one of my favourites from any show.
Come to Me–great. Lisa Capps was so convincing. It was very sad when she died. But I still wasn’t crying.
Confrontation–really good, but could have been better. Physically, it was great…staged and acted well. But I just didn’t like Javert’s voice. Oh, and I had to laugh when Valjean knocked Javert out. Not terribly realistic. 🙂
Castle on a Cloud–very good. The little girl was only 8! She sounded really young. But she was a great actress too.
Master of the House–GREAT! For me, it’s one of those songs like “Be Our Guest” from BatB. I hate listening to it on the CD, but live, it’s fabulous! The Thénardiers were great. I liked the little added scene where Cosette and Valjean meet. It’s very sweet. And I liked the Waltz of Treachery too. I actually wasn’t even really into the show till the Thénardiers came out. 🙂 But Master of the House really drew me in. How’s that for strange? 🙂
Anyway, on to Paris! Gavroche was such a sweetie. He’s my little
brother’s age, and I just wanted to give him a big hug the whole time. 🙂 I could tell right away that I’d like the Eponine. Her acting was just great. Marius and Enjolras’ entrance wasn’t too dynamic…I couldn’t even figure out where they were for a second! 🙂 But they both had great voices. Javery was actually okay in this scene…Valjean’s acting was perfect. Oh, and the part where Marius and Cosette meet…VERY sweet. Rich Affanato is such a sweetie.
Stars–decent. When Javert actually SANG instead of growling, he had a pretty good voice. I wish he would have done that more often.
Gavroche made everyone laugh with his declaration that “That inspector thinks he’s something, but it’s me who runs this town!” Eponine was great again…weird thing though. She was a fabulous singer and actor, but I just didn’t have the empathy for the character that I normally do. I was actually happy for Marius and Cosette! But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Red and Black–great too. (I’m overusing that word, aren’t I? 🙂 I like Brian Herriott’s (Enjolras) voice a LOT, but I’m not that fond of his interpretation. He was a more MM-type of Enjolras. 🙂 Meaning…he was more “one of the guys” than this ultra-determined, “above the usual worries” type of leader. That makes no sense. But I think you know what I mean. 🙂
Do You Hear the People Sing–kinda weak, actually. I mean, the singing was good, but it just could have been more powerful. Especially since it’s such a stirring song!
In My Life–beautiful. I liked the Cosette, Valjean, Eponine and Marius, so this was just great!! I missed having Marius trip when he entered the garden though. 🙁 They shouldn’t have taken that out. A Heart Full of Love was just a great continuation. Like I said before, I was so happy for Marius and Cosette! When Eponine came in, I was kinda like, “Oh yeah…she’s still here…” It was really weird! One more thing about Eponine…her scream at the Attack on the Rue Plumet was kinda weird. More like a screech, rather than a well-placed note, like Lea’s.
One Day More–incredible. I couldn’t believe the first act was over so fast!! Eponine had SUCH a powerful voice though, that you could hear her far better than anyone else, which was a little distracting. But it was really just wonderful!! I really, really, really enjoyed it.
Anyway, on to Act Two!! I LOVE that slow-motion running thing to bring us back into the show. Most cool.
Upon these Stones–really good. Marius was perfect. I really liked this guy. 🙂 I also really liked Valjean when he was reading the letter from Marius to Cosette. You could SEE the turmoil within him.
On My Own–I wasn’t kidding when I said this girl had a powerful voice. You know, now that I think about it…maybe that’s why I didn’t feel so sorry for her! It’s kinda like the Lea thing. Frances just sounds more vulnerable, and it makes me feel for her. But Rona was very strong, and although it was just beautiful, I wasn’t really moved for Eponine, youknow?
Building the Barricade–I LOVE when the barricade comes out. That is so impressive. The students were all great. I was trying to pay attention to Enjolras in particular, but I kept coming back to Marius instead. And Grantaire was great as well!! I forgot to mention him before, but he really impressed me too.
Little People–everyone was laughing! Gavroche was sooo cute! I would have loved to hear him sing “A fly could fly around Versailles…” 🙂 When Javert sang “Shoot me now or shoot me later!” I was like, “Now, please.” 🙂
A Little Fall of Rain–Jackie was bawling beside me. 🙂 When she came over the barricade, one of the students yelled out “He’s okay!” so everyone went back to what they were doing, except for Marius. And then about halfway through the song, someone else realized what was happening and went and got Enjolras, and all the students had gathered around by the end. The song was really beautiful. And right before she died, he kissed her! I’m sure they didn’t do that last time I saw it. It was nice though. And then he held her and kept rocking her after she died…the
other students had to tear her body away from him. It was so sad.
I was so happy to see Valjean again. 🙂 And those gunshots were very loud!! I think everyone in the theatre jumped!! 🙂
Drink With Me–there were small lyric changes in several parts of the show, but this is the one I remember the most. Grantaire sang, “Will the world remember you when you fall? Could it be your LIFE means nothing at all? Is your DEATH just one more lie?” I have a theory about this. 🙂 For the longest time, when I heard that line the way it used to be sung, I thought it was, “Is your life just one more life?” I think it was Alice that pointed out that “lie” rhymes with “die” a little better than “life” does. 🙂 But, I think it might have fooled several people, so they decided to change it. I could be completely wrong of course. 🙂
Bring Him Home–just lovely. Not as good as Anthony’s, but could you really expect it to be?? 🙂 And Marius looked so cute sleeping there. 🙂
Gavroche was fabulous for his death scene. You heard this collective gasp in the theatre when he got shot. One lady even said, “No!” out loud! 🙂 It was very sad.
Then the battle scene…Brian Herriott’s “Let others rise…” was pretty good. Again, not Anthony calibre, but much better than a certain TAC veteran. 🙂 Marius was one of the first to get shot, and Enjolras ran down to him, and, thinking he was dead, screamed “Nooo!” really loudly, and RAN back up the barricade, and grabbed the flag and waved it. I was scared he was gonna fall! 🙂 But they all died very well. And when the barricade turned around to show Enjolras, all I could hear was Jackie sniffling next to me. 🙂
Sewer–I HATE this song. Not even this Thenardier could make me enjoy it. And I always feel so sorry for Valjean in this scene, having to carry Marius around like that! That poor guy must be so tired by the end of the night! When Javert came back, I didn’t really like the way he decided to let Valjean go. I don’t think he showed his inner struggle that well.
Javert’s Suicide–this was better. He seemed to be alot better when he had the stage to himself. Still, I can’t say I was sad to see him die. 🙂 And I LOVE his death scene…the way the bridge flies up. Although it’s more impressive from the floor than it is in the balcony.
Turning–very nice. I recognized Fantine immediately. 🙂
Empty Chairs–breathtaking. I REALLY liked Rich Affannato. And when the students came out behind him, last time I saw it they just stood there, and looked over at him while he sang, and then went back again. But this time, they actually came and assumed different positions at the tables, as if they were still there! And then they stood back up and got back into line and moved back. It was very cool. I really liked it.
Every Day–wonderful again. I loved hearing these three sing
together…their voices were all so great! And at the end, Valjean took both their hands and placed them together.I thought that was very sweet!! And then when he told Marius about his past and went to leave, Marius tried to get up to prevent him from going, but of course he was still too weak and couldn’t stop him.
The Wedding–really nice. The Thenardiers were hilarious again!! I just loved it. 🙂
Finale–very, very powerful. The acting was just supurb by EVERYONE! And the reprise of Do You Hear the People Sing was much more stirring than the first time through.
So afterwards we headed back to the stage door, only to find more than half the cast had left already!! They were FAST! 🙂 But we managed to talk to Eponine (Rona Figueroa) very quickly…her whole family was there waiting for her, so we didn’t want to take up much of her time! And then we spoke to Rich Affannato…I gave him the insert from the programme to sign and he was like, “Oh, good! I hate this picture! I’m going to scribble all over it!” 🙂 I was like, “Hey! *I* like the picture!!” 🙂
The Quotes:
“Stacy, just let it go…”
Jackie, at intermission, when the people behind us were talking about the “perfect” Enjolras in the 10th anniversary concert
“I’m guessing that would be Rona”
Me, at the stage door, as her whole family burst into choruses of “Hi Rona!”
The cast: (in order of appearance)
| Jean Valjean | GREGORY CALVIN STONE |
| Javert | TODD ALAN JOHNSON |
| Chain Gang | RICH AFFANNATO D.B. BONDS BEN STARR COATES J.P. DOUGHERTY BRIAN HERRIOTT RANDAL KEITH AARON PAUL GLENN SAN MARCO PAUL TRUCKEY |
| Farmer | KURK DAVIDSON |
| Labourer | GLENN SAN MARCO |
| Innkeeper’s Wife | MARY CHESTERMAN |
| Innkeeper | JAY CRANFORD |
| The Bishop of Digne | MICHAEL L. MARRA |
| Constables | JOHN HAGGERTY CLIFFTON HALL |
| Fantine | LISA CAPPS |
| Foreman | BEN STARR COATES |
| Workers | D.B. BONDS KURK DAVIDSON |
| Women Workers | ANNE BUELTEMAN AYMEE GARCIA JULIA HAUBNER STEPHANIE LIKES DANIELLA SANDO |
| Factory Girl | HOLLY JO CRANE |
| Sailors | D.B. BONDS RANDAL KEITH AARON PAUL |
| Whores | ANNE BUELTEMAN CATHERINE BRUNELL MARY CHESTERMAN HOLLY JO CRANE RONA FIGUEROA KATE FISHER JULIA HAUBNER STEPHINE LIKES |
| Old Woman | DANIELLA SANDO |
| Crone | AYMEE GARCIA |
| Pimp | JOHN HAGGERTY |
| Bamatabois | PAUL TRUCKEY |
| Fauchelevant | JOHN HAGGERTY |
| Champmathieu | MICHAEL L. MARRA |
| Young Cosette | ELIZABETH LUNDBERG |
| Madame Thenardier | TREGONEY SHEPHERD |
| Thenardier | J.P. DOUGHERTY |
| Young Eponine | DANIELLE RANIERE |
| Drinker | KURK DAVIDSON |
| Young Couple | STEPHANIE LIKES GLENN SAN MARCO |
| Drunk | JAY CRANFORD |
| Diners | ANNE BUELTEMAN MICHAEL L. MARRA |
| Other Drinkers | MARY CHESTERMAN JOHN HAGGERTY JULIA HAUBNER RANDAL KEITH DANIELLE SANDO PAUL TRUCKEY |
| Young Man | AARON PAUL |
| Young Girls | CATHERIN BRUNELL HOLLY JO CRANE |
| Old Couple | D.B. BONDS AYMEE GARCIA |
| Travelers | BEN STARR COATES CLIFFTON HALL |
| Gavroche | JASON L. MAYS |
| Old Beggar Woman | MARY CHESTERMAN |
| Young Prostitute | JULIA HAUBNER |
| Pimp | JAY CRANFORD |
| Eponine | RONA FIGUEROA |
| Montparnasse | GLENN SAN MARCO |
| Babet | CLIFFTON HALL |
| Brujon | RANDAL KEITH |
| Claquesous | JOHN HAGGERTY |
| Enjolras | BRIAN HERRIOTT |
| Marius | RICH AFFANNATO |
| Cosette | KATE RISHER |
| Combeferre | BEN STARR COATES |
| Feuilly | AARON PAUL |
| Courfeyrac | KURK DAVIDSON |
| Joly | D.B. BONDS |
| Grantaire | PAUL TRUCKEY |
| Lesgles | MICHAEL L. MARRA |
| Jean Prouvaire | JAY CRANFORD |