Photo courtesy of Deen Van Meer“Les Misérables,” a notable and timeless musical, showcased its dramatic technological advances since its Broadway opening 25 years ago.
The musical, originally a Victor Hugo novel, is set in various cities in France spanning from 1815 to 1832, and chronicles the lives of ex-convicts, the undeserved wealthy and destitute struggling workers.
Protagonist Jean Valjean, breathtakingly portrayed by Peter Lockyer, makes a promise to one of his struggling workers, Fantine (Betsy Morgan) who is dying, that he would find and care for her illegitimate child.
Valjean is simultaneously being hunted down by the determined police officer, Javert (Andrew Varela) because of a robbery.
Years pass before Valjean finds Fantine’s daughter Cosette (Lauren Wiley). She falls in love with student Marius (Max Quinlan) who is in the midst of fighting for Paris’s working class after a dispute kills their only political ally.
Marius and Cosette face a difficult romance. Their circumstance leaves Marius's friend and secret lover, Eponine (Brianna Carlson-Goodman) broken-hearted and anguished.
Several battle scenes determine the fates of many beloved characters.
The themes of “Les Misérables,” a musical entirely done through song, reflect its name: misery, suffering and despair heard in the more recognized songs, “I Dreamed a Dream” and Carlson-Goodman’s tear-jerking performance of “On My Own.” However, the show delicately illustrates friendship, loyalty and heroism through Eponine and Marius’ duet, “A Little Fall of Rain,” and Young Cosette’s imagination in “Castle on a Cloud.”
“Les Misérables” offers some unexpected comedy with the appearances of Eponine’s, and temporarily Cosette’s, grimy parents Thénardier (Timothy Gulan) and Madame Thénardier (Shawna M. Hamic). Their foolish antics and impulses are a riot that form an easier transition between one heavy scene to the next.
Pennsylvania State alumna, Natalie Weiss, is a “swing” — a person who knows each role in case of a last minute rotation — in the “Les Misérables” cast.
“Being a swing is challenging because we have to know all the different vocal parts and sing on our toes all the time,” Weiss said.
The touring cast delivered an exceptional performance and plunged into his or her roles with more heart and emotion than the expected amount. Lockyer and Varela especially capture the audience with their strong, remarkably untiring voices.
The creative team of “Les Misérables” takes the feat of this production by further enhancing the dense mood of the plot with its filmic set design and evolving scenery. In seconds the stage went from a simple lighted bridge to an immense moving ship. The majority of changes were completed without blackouts; a rare feature of any large-scale production.
The lyrics and orchestration have remained true since the musical’s creation; the greatest change is the intricacy and animation of the set design that has adapted to colloquial audiences without detracting from the show’s authenticity.
Students who are looking to save money can participate in the lottery drawing held each day two and a half hours prior to show time. Arrive at the ASU Gammage Box Office for a chance to win orchestra seats for $25, cash only. “Les Misérables” runs until Sept. 16.
Visit asugammage.com for more information to purchase tickets.
Reach the reporter at mkthomp5@asu.edu
