So went to see the revival for the second time after I've seen during opening week.
The production remains a letdown. There are some nice choices, occasionally, but really, the most powerful moments are the ones that evoke the original staging. If this is your first experience with Les Mis, you don't understand why this show has been running all over the world for decades.
Marius is a mess. He basically looks and sounds like Nick Jonas: he hits all the right notes, but there's nothing pleasant about his singing. His acting is just sad. I wish the first requirement for this role will be good singing again. Right now, it looks like being visually appealing to 12-year-old girls is the main qualification.
Here are the good things:
Ramin Karimloo continues to deliver a gorgeous performance as Jean Valjean. His older Valjean became much more tender.
The Thenardiers might be the best I've ever seen (and I've seen this show A LOT... in Londin and Broadway and a few international productions.) Their chemistry is fantastic. They manage to find new jokes and new dynamics in an act that probably has very specific stage directions. If you've seen the shows a few times and the comedy relief doesn't work on you anymore, these guys may surprise you. Gavin Lee (original Bert in Mary Poppins) plays Thenardier, and he's wonderful.
And here is the big surprise: Brennyn Lark, in her Broadway debut, is STUNNING as Eponine. She sings her role beautifully and act it with sincerity and raw emotional passion. She reminded me of Heather Headley's performances in Aida and The Lion King. If you love following the trajectories of rising stars, go see Les Mis. This is your chance to see one of Broadway's next stars in her first role.
By the way, I bought four TDF tickets for me and friends and we got fantastic seats in the second row of the orchestra. (And the house looked 80% full.)
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