Les Miserables at the Eccles

The first time I saw Les Miserables while on a study abroad trip to London, I was almost overcome when I heard those dramatic opening notes and, even though I have now seen it more times than I can count, I was still still incredibly moved when I heard them again at the Eccles Theatre last night.  I always wait with great anticipation for all of my favorite numbers and I loved every one of them in this production because it has one of the best casts I've ever seen!  As expected, Nick Cartell (who also played Jean Valjean that last time this show was in town) gives a highly emotional performance of "Bring Him Home" but I was actually moved to tears during Valjean's "Soliloquy" because his transformation is palpable.  I don't think I have ever had such a strong reaction to this song before but I was an absolute mess after Cartell's beautiful rendition.  Lindsay Heather Pearce, as Fantine, is heartbreaking in her version of "I Dreamed a Dream" because you can really feel her disillusionment.  Nick Rehberger, as Javert, is incredibly powerful during "Stars" because he just about blows the roof off of the Eccles Theatre.  Christian Mark Gibbs, as Enjolras, is especially stirring in "Red and Black" and "Do You Hear the People Sing" because I wanted to stand up and cheer (I really loved his voice).  Jake David Smith, as Marius, is absolutely devastating in his performance of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" because I was reduced to tears once again by his anguish during this scene.  I was also really struck by Andrew Marks Maughan, as Combeferre, because I loved both his physicality (he is very tall) and his voice in "Red and Black," "Do You Hear the People Sing," and "Drink with Me to Days Gone By."  Finally, I always judge every production by how Eponine sings "On My Own" (my favorite song in the show) and Mya Rena Hunter absolutely delivered.  She imbues this song (as well as "A Little Fall of Rain") with a vulnerability that is in sharp contrast to her previous interactions with Marius and I loved this characterization.  I love the new staging without the turntable because the sets are more elaborate and truer to the events in the novel, especially in "Look Down" and "At the End of the Day," and the new backdrops feature Victor Hugo's original illustrations which are very striking.  The only element that I miss from the original staging is when the turntable slowly rotates to reveal Enjolras upside down on the barricade with the flag (he is now shown with the flag on a dogcart but it isn't as dramatic).  I love this show and I love that it still has the power to affect me in such a profound way every time I see it.  There are still tickets available for the five remaining performances (go here) and I highly recommend it!