Les Miserables in Boise

Before I became obsessed with the musical Hamilton, Les Miserables enjoyed a 30 year run as my favorite musical of all time!  It is still a sentimental favorite and I couldn't help myself when I had the chance to see it on Broadway several years ago and I couldn't help myself when I saw that the Broadway touring production would be in Boise (a four hour drive from SLC) this summer!  When I mentioned to my Dad that I would be out of town this week and why, he asked me why I was driving so far to see a show that I have seen so many times.  I know it is a crazy thing to do but I am so inspired by the epic story of Jean Valjean's redemption and I absolutely love the music!  As I always do, I got goosebumps when I heard those dramatic first notes last night!  As I sat in the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, eagerly anticipating every single number and trying desperately not to sing along out loud, I was filled with so much nostalgia for the girl whose biggest dream was to see this show and I felt the magic all over again!  This particular cast is a strong one and, as I anticipated all of my favorite moments, they did not disappoint!  Fantine (Mary Kate Moore) was heartbreaking in "I Dreamed a Dream," Javert (Felipe Barbosa Bombonato) was incredibly powerful in "Stars" (this got the biggest reaction from the crowd all night), Enjolras (Matt Shingledecker) was stirring in "The People's Song," and Valjean (Nick Cartell) brought me to tears in "Bring Him Home."  I wasn't sure if I liked Monte J. Howell's characterization of Marius because he was a little goofy in his interactions with Cosette (Jillian Butler) early on but his rendition of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was amazing!  My favorite moment in the show is when Eponine sings "On My Own."  I sit, impatiently, through the intermission anticipating this song because it is what made me a fan of this musical!  Paige Smallwood gave one of the most emotional performances of it that I've ever heard and I was quite overcome!  This production featured the new staging without the turntable.  I honestly really like it because the sets are much more elaborate and scenes are more true to the events in the novel by Victor Hugo, especially in the Prologue and "At the End of the Day."  I also think that "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" is much more dramatic when the students take away the candles.  The only scene where I miss the turntable is when the barricade turns after the battle to reveal Enjolras upside down holding the red flag.  Him laying in a dogcart with Gavroche isn't as impactful in my opinion.  I really loved seeing this show again and I am so glad that I did it!  It runs at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts as part of Broadway in Boise until August 4 (go here for tickets).

Note:  Broadway in Boise will be performing Bandstand next April and Hamilton the following season so I will be back!