"Les Misérables" - Phoenix Theatre
This review aired on KBAQ February 23, 2009
PHOENIX THEATRE’S SUPERLATIVE “LES MISÉRABLES” WORKS IN SMALLER STAGING
“LES MISÉRABLES”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ
Does the epic musical/pop opera “Les Misérables” work in a smaller production that focuses on the story and music? The answer is “yes” based on the superlative Phoenix Theatre’s staging.
Don’t let it throw you that this is a smaller production. It is still grandly scaled, with a huge cast that creates a wonderfully robust musical sound. Until this production, “Les Misérables” has only been seen locally in the original Broadway production, with its ever circling turntable and enough scenery to distract any theatergoer from the Victor Hugo novel the musical is based on.
Hugo crafted vivid characters and sequences centering on Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned because he stole bread. His crime was plastered on his release papers. He shed that identity to become a factory owner and town leader. The story, set in 19th century France, also discusses the 1832 People’s Rebellion against the country’s corrupt leadership. Valjean has a personal vendetta against the evil Police Inspector Javert. There are many subplots in the story that tells the treatment of the common man.
Trevor Nunn’s original production framed this story in an elaborate production. You were busy watching scenery spin, lusty choreography happen, and large production numbers sprawl across the stage, so you lost the story and characters. The Phoenix Theatre production, while big and triumphant, doesn’t distract with trappings so you understand the characters, what they think, and why they believe it. You understand the why the people rebelled and you can appreciate the lush score.
The local production is in the able directorial hands of Robert Hupp. Two imported stars play Valjean and Javert but the rest of the production is cast locally and they are outstanding.
Phoenix Theatre’s production is remarkably professional with nary a misstep as scenery glides into place, sound reinforcement permits you to get every word, and you will be amazed at the endlessly creative staging plus seeing complicated sets and elaborately detailed costumes. Douglas Webster is the rich voiced and strongly acted Valjean, while Christopher Carl is perfect as the sinister Javert. The local players that shine include Nick Cartel’s lush-voiced Marius, Lisa Fogel’s pensive Fantine, Beau Heckman’s lusty Thénardier, and Terey Summers as his bawdy wife, plus Jeanine Pacheco’s touching Cosette. The children are superb and the huge ensemble is filled with talented singer/dancers.
There’s nothing to fault in Phoenix Theatre’s wonderful “Les Misérables.” It is the best local production I’ve seen in my 30 years in this community. The production is now playing through March 29. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online at www.PhoenixTheatre.com.
Grade: A
PHOENIX THEATRE’S SUPERLATIVE “LES MISÉRABLES” WORKS IN SMALLER STAGING
“LES MISÉRABLES”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ
Does the epic musical/pop opera “Les Misérables” work in a smaller production that focuses on the story and music? The answer is “yes” based on the superlative Phoenix Theatre’s staging.
Don’t let it throw you that this is a smaller production. It is still grandly scaled, with a huge cast that creates a wonderfully robust musical sound. Until this production, “Les Misérables” has only been seen locally in the original Broadway production, with its ever circling turntable and enough scenery to distract any theatergoer from the Victor Hugo novel the musical is based on.
Hugo crafted vivid characters and sequences centering on Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned because he stole bread. His crime was plastered on his release papers. He shed that identity to become a factory owner and town leader. The story, set in 19th century France, also discusses the 1832 People’s Rebellion against the country’s corrupt leadership. Valjean has a personal vendetta against the evil Police Inspector Javert. There are many subplots in the story that tells the treatment of the common man.
Trevor Nunn’s original production framed this story in an elaborate production. You were busy watching scenery spin, lusty choreography happen, and large production numbers sprawl across the stage, so you lost the story and characters. The Phoenix Theatre production, while big and triumphant, doesn’t distract with trappings so you understand the characters, what they think, and why they believe it. You understand the why the people rebelled and you can appreciate the lush score.
The local production is in the able directorial hands of Robert Hupp. Two imported stars play Valjean and Javert but the rest of the production is cast locally and they are outstanding.
Phoenix Theatre’s production is remarkably professional with nary a misstep as scenery glides into place, sound reinforcement permits you to get every word, and you will be amazed at the endlessly creative staging plus seeing complicated sets and elaborately detailed costumes. Douglas Webster is the rich voiced and strongly acted Valjean, while Christopher Carl is perfect as the sinister Javert. The local players that shine include Nick Cartel’s lush-voiced Marius, Lisa Fogel’s pensive Fantine, Beau Heckman’s lusty Thénardier, and Terey Summers as his bawdy wife, plus Jeanine Pacheco’s touching Cosette. The children are superb and the huge ensemble is filled with talented singer/dancers.
There’s nothing to fault in Phoenix Theatre’s wonderful “Les Misérables.” It is the best local production I’ve seen in my 30 years in this community. The production is now playing through March 29. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online at www.PhoenixTheatre.com.
Grade: A
Posted on 23 Feb 2009 by Chris Curcio
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