Les Miserables Tour 2017- Page 3

[Sally Burns]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 6:31am

Kitsune said: I haven't seen Les Mis in probably 15 years, and it is among my favorite musicals. Unfortunately I'm not seeing any Goldstar discounts for the SF run, and the rush has been very hard so far.

Would you say this production is worth shelling out $100+ for? Trying to decide if I would be willing to pay full price."

I agree with Babe_Williams - it really depends how much you love Les Mis and how okay you are with the changes. I paid $95 for center orchestra seats when they went on sale in January and I was fine with that price because I have loved Les Mis for years, but I wasn't willing to pay $210.for the premium orchestra seats (and after seeing the show, I'm really glad I didn't pay twice as much to sit a little closer). To me, seeing this production is definitely not worth $200+.

One thing I hate about SHN is how they keep increasing ticket prices for the same shows. I know they're allowed to but it sucks. The same seat I paid $95 for is now $122-$147 (through SHN, not resale) depending on what day/time you go. As much as I love Les Mis, with all the issues that bothered me in this production, it wouldn't have been worth $150/ticket to me.

As you can see from my list of complaints above, I definitely had some problems with this production. If the issues I described would detract greatly from your enjoyment of the songs, then I'd stay home and just listen to the soundtrack. At least you know what you're getting with that! But if you really love seeing the show live, I'd say go since you don't know if the next version of the tour will be any better. Ha, that sounds very pessimistic but as HunterK pointed out, they keep cutting more corners so I have no reason to believe that they will massively improve things in future tours.

The show I saw had only one cast substitution (a swing performed for Feuilly). The entire cast was perfectly fine (unlike when someone gave me tickets to a non-equity tour of Rent and I thought my ears were going to bleed from some of the off pitch singing) so the singing and performances are not going to be a huge disappointment.

One of my pet peeves is when they hire people to play Eponine who can't hit all the low notes in A Little Fall of Rain. Sam Barker was the queen of "acting" on all the low notes (pain and rain) to hide the fact that she couldn't reach those notes, which annoys me to no end. Paige Smallwood (the new Eponine who just joined the tour cast two weeks ago) wasn't nearly as egregious

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 10:01am

I considered visiting home (the Bay Area) to see this tour stop, but once I saw SHN's prices, I said forget it. I really liked this tour when I saw it in DC, but paying $75 for a good balcony seat was enough. I'm a longtime Les Miz fan who has no problem with the lack of a turntable or some of the other current oddities, but I'm not about to pay that much at a theatre that much bigger than the Curran.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 12:57pm

They have daily rush (TixToday and in person) for $40, not sure how many tickets they typically have. But if you can see this show for $40 from balcony/side of orchestra, it's good. I did pay full price but I'm a subscriber so I got some discount for orchestra center seats.

 

I wasn't going to see this tour as I did not like the revision (not the performance) when I saw in 2013, but I found decent seats (Opheum is huge but as long as you sit in the center orchestra close to the aisle, pretty much any seats have good view) so decided to revisit. 

 

I got an u/s JVJ and the main JVJ looks young on the picture, and ANDREW MAUGHAN looks young but not as young as Nick. I always look forward to the scene with the priest, and since Andrew who is the priest when he's not understudying was JVJ, the u/s priest went on and oversang the scene, I was disappointed. The overall impression of this company is that everybody sings in a big voice and belting. I could not hear any subtlety, Eponine's On My Own sounded like a scream. I'm always hard on Javert but Josh Davis lacked the crucial vulnerability. 

 

I wanted to check who I saw in the last tour company and it was in 2013, and as soon as I saw a couple of actors' name, it reminded me that THAT tour company was pretty good. Peter Lockeyer as JVJ, Jason Forbach was Enjolras, and Grantaire was Jason's husband, Joseph Spieldenner. 

 

During the show, I remembered the performance I saw in Toronto in 1998, that was the tour when Colm came back as JVJ. Gosh it's 20 yrs ago, but I still remember the entire cast (except Javert lol) was excellent. Glad I made that trip!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 1:09pm

Todd Alan Johnson?

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 1:36pm

LizzieCurry said: "Todd Alan Johnson?"

 

Ohhh yes I think so! And Timothy Howar was Marius and he was super cute.

 

[Marway44]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 3:59pm

I’m not a “Broadway Star” or “legend” so my opinion doesn’t count but for what’s it worth I feel this is a terrific version of the show. It doesn’t look cheap at all for a tour. The orchestra is full and lush, the performers are wonderful and the voices soar. Nick may be young but he ages perfectly and he did tug at my heart strings at the appropriate moments, especially his death scene. I also loved Josh. His “Stars” is wonderful. While he lacks some vulnerability, he makes up for it in his singing.

For anyone on the fence, I say to go and feel is worth full price. My 3rd time catching this tour is coming up in October in New Haven and I can’t wait!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 4:01pm

No need to start your post with self-deprecation!

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 5:19pm

As long as you paid your own ticket, you have a right to voice your opinion. Forget about the silly nomenclatures on an internet board. 

BTW I forgot to mention that there were unnecessary acting/direction just to get a laugh in this production, which was so annoying. In the scene where JVJ visits Thénardiers to take Cosset away, Madam Thénardiers was flirting, showing her leg etc.. which was so distracting. Also during A Heart Full Of Love, Marius sang funny ways a couple of time and the audience laughed. This isn't a scene to go for a laugh! Yes it looks awkward which is fine because both young lovers don't know what to do, but just sing the song naturally and the audience get the nervousness. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 5:32pm

I have definitely seen Madame Thénardiers all the way back to Aymee Garcia flirt with Valjean during that part. Maybe not show the thigh like in the current production, but it's not super new.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 5:39pm

Yes, I remember Madame Thénardiers flirted, but that's because she knows they can get $ from JVJ, so she didn't flirt sexually. More like being super nice to him to get more money in other productions but this production it was over the top (again).

[Eliza2]

Posted: 8/16/18 at 6:50pm

Keala Settle did the flirting thing with Ramin Karimloo and it was hysterical. And in her final performance she even made him break for a moment. 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 8/17/18 at 4:39pm

LizzieCurry said: "I considered visiting home (the Bay Area) to see this tour stop, but once I saw SHN's prices, I said forget it. I really liked this tour when I saw it in DC, but paying $75 for a good balcony seat was enough. I'm a longtime Les Miz fan who has no problem with the lack of a turntable or some of the other current oddities, but I'm not about to pay that much at a theatre that much bigger than the Curran."

In addition to the Rush tickets you may want to check out goldstar.com daily.

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 8:04pm

I'm not going to fly back now, but thanks for the tip!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 8:50pm

The tour is coming through Oklahoma City next month. I’ve never seen a staged version. My only experience has been the movie. I’m considering treating my friend (and myself) to tickets as a belated birthday present to her. It would be her first time seeing it on stage, as well. Would you consider this production to be a good first exposure to the show?

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 8:54pm

As a first experience with the show? Absolutely. I enjoyed this production immensely. Besides, since the Broadway production is closed, and I imagine this tour won’t run forever, there’s no telling when you two would get another chance to see it done professionally. Go for it!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 9:01pm

Elfuhbuh, Thanks! As soon as my reserves are replenished, I will likely purchase tickets. I know you will appreciate this, but I just bought a ticket for Wicked (third time seeing it) when it tours through Tulsa next month. So I need to wait to buy more tickets.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 10:45pm

Javert is an extremely difficult role to get “right.” Most Javerts I’ve seen have had beautiful voices and hit all the big notes, but have nothing to offer beyond that. They can’t find the vulnerability in the character, and then all of a sudden that last Soliloquy pops up and you have no idea where that self-doubt came from.

Andrew Varela, from the last tour, nailed it. He should have had the chance to recreate that role on Broadway, as he was eons better than the horrendous Will Swenson.

Phillip Quast is probably the gold standard. I also very much enjoyed Robert Hunt in the first revival.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 8/19/18 at 6:58pm

im two thumbs up for this gorgeous tour production and cast. i saw the revival on bway with ramin so familiar with this production. both leads were fantastic
and had better chemistry imo than the revival val jean and javert. very strong voices throughout the cast great sound and orchestrations
bring him home was stunningly kveautlful. my minor gripe is the fantine was s big time belter and belted the life out of i dreamed a dream and did not give mich emotion to the song.

ill probably catch this again b4 it leaves. my number six all time fav musical!!!!

[rcwr]

Posted: 8/19/18 at 11:24pm

Seconding what adamgreer said about Andrew Varela and Philip Quast.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 3:52pm

Yes Philip Quast is the ultimate Javert, too bad he never came to Broadway for Les Mis. Similarly, Ethan Freeman on West End (1997?) was pretty good without becoming over the top. His acting was very detailed and you could tell the obsessiveness of Javert. He is another actor (American!) who hasn't been to Broadway and is performing in Europe (mostly Germany). 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 8:40pm

Thanks, everyone. My friend finally confirmed that she wanted a ticket as her belated birthday present from me to her. I had to figure out how to outsmart the online purchasing program, which wanted me to buy three tickets (together) rather than just the two I needed, but I figured it out. So tickets are purchased for 9/23. So I’ll be going to Oz (in Tulsa) on 9/6 then France (by way of OKC) less than 3 weeks later.

Updated On: 8/20/18 at 08:40 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:52am

I did an informal count in my head and I've probably seen 12-15 Javerts over the past 20 years. Andrew Varela is definitely fantastic, but I really did enjoy Josh Davis! I'm also grateful for getting to see Michael McCarthy and Hayden Tee without having to leave the country.

I'm kind of surprised neither Ben Davis nor Brad Little ever played Javert again if even in a major regional production.

[Marway44]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:49pm

I second what Lizzie said about Josh. He’s truly amazing. As much as. I enjoyed Andrew and was surprised he didn’t make it to Broadway, Josh just envelopes the character and he “ages” very well too. Looking forward to seeing him again in October.

By the way does anyone know when either Nick or Josh will be leaving?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 12:46am

Glad to hear all the mostly positive reports. Looking forward to finally seeing it next month.

[Marway44]

Posted: 8/22/18 at 6:22am

Miles2Go2,

Are you seeing it in New Haven? 

Actually is anyone seeing it at the Shubert in New Haven?  It's a great venue to see Les Mis.  It's cozier than these huge touring houses and everyone is closer and more connected to the action.  Plus, the sound system is awesome.