In response to Maria Thompson’s Sept. 12 article, “ASU Gammage hosts timeless musical ‘Les Misérables.'”:
The Tuesday night performance of the “newly imagined” “Les Misérables” at Gammage Auditorium was nothing less than a cheap imitation of a miraculous musical. This ship sank faster than the economy after the housing crisis and the blame falls squarely on the director. He used cheap humor, weak blocking and even his attempts to relying on the amazing score fell short.
Years ago I saw this show with Gary Morris as Jean Valjean and everything about it was brilliant and I was taken on a journey that literally changed my life. A rotating stage allowed for the show to move seamlessly without set changes. A talented cast sang as if it were the last show they would ever do and I could truly "hear the people sing".
The performance on Tuesday suffered from a terrible stage set-up. It was so small it seemed smaller than some high school stages and as a result the cast had nowhere to move and the story could not develop or move seamlessly breathlessly. The limitations of the stage seemed to box the director in and his "creative" license run amok to the detriment of all. The only saving grace was the man who played Javert and the woman who played Eponine — epic! The orchestra was also on display in all their glory. Fantine was god-awful! Notes she hit in the top of her register turned to screeches that seemed like bombs dropping, making me want to run for cover. Gavroche was virtually incomprehensible.
While I appreciate art, as an art major in college, however, the influences from Victor Hugo, although stunning, were only an unnecessary distraction. “Les Misérables” does not need to be re-imagined, only retold in all its wonder and beauty for a new generation. To re-imagine “Les Misérables” is like trying to re-imagine the Sistine Chapel or the Mona Lisa. When you add anything less than original perfection, all you get is a cheap imitation and degradation.
Finally, Gammage is in need of serious makeovers if it is meant to house and hold shows of what you would hope are high caliber. This 2012 showing of “Les Misérables” “re-imagined” will leave you in tears if it is your first time due solely to the impeccably written score; however, if you have seen this show done in all its perfect glory you may leave utterly disappointed.
Geoff Gray
Alumnus
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