Austin, Texas
CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF
BOUBLIL AND SCHÖNBERG’S LES MISÉRABLES
AT BASS CONCERT HALL FEB. 4-9, 2025
(Note: some spoilers below!)
Opening night of a broadway musical run is always a special event. Tony award winning Les Miserable’s return to Austin this week was no exception. The night’s crowd was raucous, supportive, and engaged nonstop for the iconic musical-the 6th longest running. The standing ovations were long and joined by loud hollers. The show ran exactly 3 hours, shorter than the original. It’s a short and sweet run, hurry to get tickets!
The book Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is set against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832, also known as the Paris Uprising (not the French Revolution as some think). The novel begins in 1815, the year of Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Set in the midst of the war, 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.
The morals and messages that stand out most involve the kindness shown many times among so much hate and violence and unfairness. For example, the priest who takes in Jean Valjean, starving, homeless, and beaten. After Valjean leaves stealing items from the priest, the priest brings him silver candlesticks, defends him to the authorities and begs him to ‘become a better man’. (bring the tissues).
There are some notable differences and modernization that veteran fans will comment about. The set is darker, moodier, but also has scenes with lots of technology and lasers that enhance the drama. The production uses some of the original artwork from Victor Hugo’s book projected on the set throughout the show. There are also projections when Javert jumps off the bridge, and when Jean Valjean is in the scene with the underground tunnel/sewers. Also, it’s now only 3 hours long including an intermission, a welcome change.
We noticed some songs were shorter, and many had different arrangements while some artists changed the tone or style for some of the numbers, including adding gestures to make it their own. Don’t worry all the key songs are still there and as powerful as ever like, “I Dreamed a Dream” “Do You Hear the People Sing” “One Day More” “Who Am I?” “24601” “On My Own” “Castle on a Cloud” “Bring Him Home” “Master of the House”.
| There were so many standouts both male and female, leads and supporting that it’s hard to find one that isn’t a standout. but Nick Cartell’s (Jean Valjean) solo for “Bring Him Home” was exceptional and emotional-hit notes that floored the crowd. We were so impressed with Jake David Smith’s (Marius) solos including “Empty Chairs & Empty Tables”-the power, depth, and emotion of his voice. Nick Rehberger (Javert) was amazing throughout, as was Lindsey Heather Pearce’s (Fantine) many solos, Mya Rena Hunter’s (Epinone) song as she was dying and of course Delaney Gyer (Cosette). The Thenardier couple (Crowley & Huston-Elem) provided massive comic relief and got huge laughs. Maybe the most popular was the little boy Gavroche-played by Jackson Parker Gill-the smallest and youngest but mighty and full of courage and confidence- the crowd loved him. Check out the entire cast. |
Tickets and show times:
Tues – Thurs at 7:30 pm | Fri at 8 pm | Sat at 2 & 8 pm | Sun at 1 & 6:30 pm
WHERE: Bass Concert Hall | 2350 Robert Dedman Drive | Austin, TX 78712
TICKETS: Start at $35. Tickets are available at texasperformingarts.org and BroadwayinAustin.com, by phone at (512) 477-1444, or from the Texas Performing Arts ticket office at Bass Concert Hall. For groups of 10 or more, call (877) 275-3804 or email Austin.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com
ABOUT LES MIS:
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.”
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.M
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, 438 cities and 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly still one of the world’s most popular musicals.
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, South Korea, Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. LES MISÉRABLES is now in its 40th record-breaking year in London’s West End and to celebrate the milestone the show launched its first World Tour of the highly anticipated LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR, playing dates throughout Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and more destinations to be announced. Simultaneously, and for the first time ever, 11 leading amateur companies in the UK will present their own staging of the full show across the country in 2025. Earlier this year, the remastered and remixed Oscar-winning movie was also released again in several countries around the world.
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 associate director is Corey Agnew, musical staging associate is Jesse Robb, resident director is Brendan Stackhouse and music direction is by Will Curry. The LES MISÉRABLES tour stage management team is led by Ryan W. Gardner with Claire Farrokh and Hollis Duggans-Queenss. The company management team is Chris Danner and Elle Aghabala.
Texas Performing Arts is the professional arts presenting and producing program of The University of Texas at Austin. One of the largest and most active university-based performing arts centers in the U.S., Texas Performing Arts is an anchor institution in Austin’s arts, cultural, and entertainment landscape. Texas Performing Arts operates venues on the UT campus including Austin’s largest theatre, the newly renovated Bass Concert Hall. Its public programs include Broadway in Austin; the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists; and a curated season of international dance, theatre, music and more. Texas Performing Arts is an integral unit of UT’s College of Fine Arts and engages thousands of students across the university every year. In the calendar year 2022, TPA sold 250,000 tickets serving as a popular gateway to campus. Following a national search, Tony Award-winning producer Bob Bursey was appointed Executive and Artistic Director in January of 2020.
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