the mommy avenger

After having seen so many Broadway productions over the years, I frequently get asked the question, “which one is your favorite?” That’s a hard question to answer, truthfully, because there are different categories within Broadway shows. Which has the best music? The most dynamic sets? Which was most fun? Most powerful? I could come up with a hundred different answers for you for countless reasons. But always at the top is Les Miserables. This show speaks to me unlike any other. The story of redemption, forgiveness, love and compassion, to me, is the ultimate Broadway musical.

Given that I’ve seen Les Miserables many, many times and could probably act it out for you line by line (trust me, you would never want to see that), it is a musical I’m highly critical of. I have my favorite versions of Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Eponine, and Marius. I think, actually, my bar is set by the performances of Colm Wilkinson as Valjean and Philip Quast as Javert in the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary in Concert. When I have seen any production of Les Miserables on the stage, the voices are always compared to theirs. Unfair, I know, because this concert was the best of the best from people who played the roles from all over the world, but I share with you this information to give you the basis as to which I will share my thoughts on the National touring production of Les Miserables which arrived in Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theatre last night and runs through July 2nd.

Within the very first scene of Les Miserables, I can tell if a production is going to be good or disappointing. All it takes is to listen to Valjean and Javert sing in the Prologue and it will set the tone for the entire show. When the curtain came up, I waited with bated breath at what was to come. The Company started strong and then it came time for Valjean to sing….and I was very happy to hear that Nick Cartell’s voice was very strong and a great fit for the role. Next, I waited to hear Javert, sung by Preston Truman Boyd, and was also relieved to hear his powerful voice. It was going to be a great show!

For those unfamiliar with the story, Les Miserables starts us off meeting Jean Valjean, a man that was put in prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s child. Hardened and bitter, he is released on parol to a cold and unforgiving world. His encounter with a Bishop changes the trajectory of his path and we see a transformation and the impacts one person can make on others. All the while, he is hunted by the relentless Inspector Javert, who is determined to follow the law and see that justice is served.

There are multiple story lines within the musical and all are wonderful. There are two that resonate with me the most, however. I love Valjean’s story and I love the story of Eponine, a young girl brought up by truly horrible people, only knowing crime, despair and unrequited love in her life. The part of Eponine is another make or break role for me in Les Miserables. If you don’t have a strong voice, it can diminish the role and change the tone. My all time favorite version of Eponine also comes from the 10th Anniversary concert sung by Lea Solonga. In case you don’t know who that is, she played Jasmine and Mulan for the Disney animated movies. Gorgeous voice! This is frequently the role that I am disappointed by in live theater because I have very high expectations. Last night, though, I was pleasantly surprised to get to experience Christine Heesun Hwang’s performance as Eponine. That was the closest I’ve ever heard to my ideal and I thoroughly enjoyed every time she graced us with her voice, especially “On My Own.” In fact, I found myself thinking how similar her voice was to Lea Solonga. It was absolutely beautiful!

Last night’s cast and performance were absolutely wonderful, exactly how I would hope it would be. Valjean and Javert only got more impressive as the night went on. Some of my favorite songs were “Bring Him Home”, “Stars” and, of course, “One Day More.” I would also love to share that the portrayals of Fantine played by Haley Dortch and Enjolras played by Devin Archer took two of my least favorite characters (typically) and elevated them both in this production to characters I couldn’t wait to hear them sing again. Such incredible talent!

The story is one of the most beautiful stories I know and never fails to evoke intense emotions in me. 30 years after I first saw it, it still makes me cry. Last night was no exception. It was a magnificent performance and one I highly recommend you go see while it is in Salt Lake City. There are limited tickets still available for some performances, so hurry and grab them while you can! I know if I could go back and see it every night it is in town, I definitely would!

TICKETS FOR CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF BOUBLIL AND SCHÖNBERG’S 

LES MISÉRABLES ARE ON SALE NOW

THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MUSICAL WILL PLAY SALT LAKE CITY’S ECCLES THEATER JUNE 20 – JULY 2, 2023 

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, are on sale for its engagement at Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater, June 20 – July 2, 2023. Tickets are available online at Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com, at the Eccles Box Office (Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-2pm) or by calling ArtTix at 801.355.ARTS (2787). Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 801.703.2057 (Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm). For more information, please visit Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com More information can be found at LesMis.com, the official global website for LES MISÉRABLES. 

Cameron Mackintosh said, “The phenomenon of Les Misérables never fails to astound me. No show in history has been able to continually reinvent itself and remain a contemporary musical attracting new generations of brilliant new talent, many of whom go on to international stardom. No show in the world has ever demonstrated the survival of the human spirit better than Les Miz, and it’s time to let the people sing again. We are all thrilled to be Bringing Her Home to you.” 

Celebrated tour alums Nick Cartell and Preston Truman Boyd will return to the barricades to portray the fugitive ‘Jean Valjean’ and ‘Inspector Javert,’ respectively. They are joined by Matt Crowle as ‘Thénardier,’ Christina Rose Hall as ‘Madame Thénardier,’ Haley Dortch as ‘Fantine,’ Devin Archer as ‘Enjolras,’ Christine Heesun Hwang as ‘Éponine,’ Gregory Lee Rodriguez as ‘Marius’ and Addie Morales as ‘Cosette.’ Cora Jane Messer and Hazel Vogel alternate in the role of ‘Little Cosette/Young Éponine.’ Harrison Fox and Gabriel Lafazan alternate in the role of ‘Gavroche.’ 

The new touring ensemble includes Kyle Adams, Daniel Gerard Bittner, Ciaran Bowling, Jenna Burns, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denae, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevieve Ellis, Randy Jeter, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Olivia J. Lu, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Benjamin H. Moore, Nicole Morris, Ashley Dawn Mortensen, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Christopher Robin Sapp, Emily Somé, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle Timson, J.T. Wood and David Young. 

★★★★★ “This reborn dream of a production looks and sounds fresher than ever. Sends shivers of excitement racing down the spine – You emerge feeling stirred and exhilarated.” – Daily Telegraph 

“One of the greatest musicals ever created.” – Chicago Tribune 

“The defining musical of the last 50 years.” – BroadwayWorld 

★★★★★ “The mighty Les Mis is still revolutionary.” – Daily Mail 

“Les Mis for the 21st Century.” – The Huffington Post 

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. 

Boublil & Schönberg’s magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly still one of the world’s most popular musicals. 

To date, LES MISÉRABLES remains the 6th longest-running Broadway production of all time. 

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary, it has taken the world by storm continuing to enjoy record-breaking runs in countries including North America, Australia, Japan, Korea, France and Spain. It is currently on tour in the UK and Ireland, and a new tour of The Netherlands is set for early 2023 with further productions to be announced. The most recent North American production toured from 2017 to March 2020, playing 94 engagements until the production was halted due to the global pandemic. 

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, additional costume designs by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realized by Finn Ross, Jonathon Lyle and Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, music supervision by Stephen Brooker and James Moore, and casting by Tara Rubin Casting. 

The LES MISÉRABLES tour stage management team is led by Jack McLeod with Ryan W. Gardner and Claire Farrokh. The LES MISÉRABLES associate director is Corey Agnew, musical staging associate is Jesse Robb, resident director is Richard Barth and music direction is by Brian Eads. The company management team is Chris Danner and Elle Aghabala. 

Connect with LES MISÉRABLES online , Facebook, and Instagram.

About Broadway Across America 

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 18-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and Hamilton. Current and past productions include Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Moulin Rouge! and To Kill A Mockingbird. 

The John Gore Organization is the leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater worldwide. Under the leadership of 18-time Tony-winning theater producer and owner John Gore, its family of companies includes Broadway Across America, Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. The company presents shows in 48 cities across North America as well as on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, Japan, and China. It has won Tony Awards in every producing category as well as numerous other Drama League, Drama Desk and Olivier Awards. The John Gore Organization is committed to supporting theater access and education programs that introduce Broadway to the next generation of audiences and theater professionals.

^{*I was invited to faciliate a feature, all opinions are my own*}