Les Miserables – November 20th, 2024 – Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis MN
Les Miserables – November 20th, 2024 – Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis MN
Review Amie Hansen
The Broadway classic and beloved musical comes back to Minneapolis as spectacular as ever including the epic staging and enduring tale of injustice and love. Shows continue through December 1st during this first leg of this US Tour.
For those unfamiliar, the story spans decades and encompasses tales of several main characters and their internal fight for love, power, justice and redemption. Due to the fast-paced format and span of time the story entails I always encourage anyone new to Les Mis (the highly used shortened title) to get a cliff-note version before heading to the show. You will thank me afterwards as you will be able to understand the action and how each of the characters shows up through the years depicted. As a quick summary, the main character and protagonist in the story is Jean Valjean who served a lengthy prison sentence after stealing bread to feed his family. Once paroled he must move forward in the world with the title of “ex-con” which he quickly finds out will get him nowhere fast. He denounces his ex-con classification by breaking his parole and adopts a new identity thus being able to move into a life of good repute not only leading a factory of workers but becoming the mayor of the town. The main antagonist is Valjean’s former jailer, Javert, who is unwavering in his pursuit of the law. He dedicates himself to tracking down the escaped parolee Valjean and in doing so takes on a decades-long struggle in the pursuit of justice at all costs. Throughout the story there are tales woven in of young freedom fighters, lovers, innkeepers, and street workers experiencing the harsh reality of living in 19th century France.
Casting was once again spot-on for all characters. Nick Cartell and Nick Rehberger excel at their roles of Jean Valjean and Javert respectively. Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, played by Matt Crowle and Victoria Huston-Elem, were as raunchy and sassy as ever conjuring up the laughs in the otherwise dark musical. Standout performances this time came from the adult Eponine, Mya Rena Hunter, and the young fighter Gavroche, Jackson Parker Gill. Gill commanded the stage in his time as Gavroche and for such a young performer that is quite remarkable. Hunter brought us Eponine in a way that felt so real and vulnerable. Her singing “On My Own” was not only beautiful but almost guttural in delivery, really depicting the agony of heartbreak.
The set is something that can only truly be understood in person. The depth and density of the stage set brings you right into the 1800s life of France. How the walls move in and out to change scenes is beautiful and seamless in engineering. The backdrop scene changes but always maintains a look of a beautiful dark painting of the landscapes. Another standout element is the lighting effects. The change in lighting and how it works with the physical sets really brings an added life to the story being told. You can feel your self in the cellar pub or standing behind the barricade during battle.
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables lives on as one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Do yourself the holiday treat and buy the tickets, be it for the first time or the 10th like this reviewer, it truly will not disappoint.
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