The barricades are back!
No, not those infuriating little orange-and-white runts that seem to be proliferating like rabbits along the Wasatch Front's highways and byways.These are designer John Napier's amazing, hydraulically driven barricades that glide effortlessly into place for Victor Hugo's student revolution in Paris in 1832.
Hydraulics aside, what really drives "Les Miserables" is Claude-Michel Schonberg's emotionally rich and powerful score and Herbert Kretzmer's insightful English adaptation of Alain Boublil's original French text.
Plus there are the production's famous turntable - and an exceptional cast of professional singers, actors and musicians.
On the production's fifth visit to the Capitol Theatre (and, no doubt, there'll be a sixth and seventh and . . . this show has longer legs than Ann Miller), this opening night had a distinct "hometown crowd" feel to it.
There were probably lots of friends and neighbors in the audience, trying to pick out Kurk Davidson, Holly Jo (Cushing) Crane and Robbyn Thompson Scribner in their various ensemble roles.
The other Utahn in the cast - Jenell Brook Slack of South Jordan - is much easier to spot. Despite the 10-year-old's tiny size, she earned her own round of applause when, as Young Cosette, she sang the sad and poignant "Castle on a Cloud." Her appearance on stage some 45 minutes into the show must have been one of the opening night's most anticipated moments.
(On alternate nights Slack plays Young Eponine, trading off in both roles with Janel Meilani Parrish, newly recruited to the company from Hawaii.)
Overall, this is a strong company with quite a few new - and extremely talented - faces.
Robert Evan, fresh from the Broadway company, is a former University of Georgia football player who tackles the role of Jean Valjean with ease. "Who Am I?" he sings early in Act One. He is the heroic Valjean.
His heartfelt "Bring Him Home," one of the production's many showstoppers, was flawless.
Playing the French fugitive's determined nemesis, Inspector Javert, is Robert Longo, who also has a strong, operatic voice.
The highlights - both performances and musical numbers - are many.
- J.P. Dougherty and Kelly Ebsary back as the foster parents of the year, the Thenardiers. Check in at their sleazy inn at your own risk.
- Lisa Capps as doomed Fantine who " . . . Dreamed a Dream," only to see it dissipate into a lowly career as one of the "Lovely Ladies."
- Brian Noonan, who stirs up the rebellious Parisian students (as well as the audience) as Enjolras. Leading the pack through "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "Red and Black," Noonan's energy and well-trained voice are perfectly suited to this pivotal role.
- Rich Affannato and Gina Feliccia are also well matched as lovestruck Marius and grown-up Cosette. His rendition of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was poignant, as were the couple's parts in "A Heart Full of Love," "In My Life."
- Dawn Younker as the older, ill-fated Eponine, showcased in "On My Own" and "A Little Fall of Rain."
- Newcomer Ryan Rumbaugh as feisty little Gavroche and Michael L. Marra as the saintly Bishop of Digne.
Kudos, too, to the 15-piece pit orchestra and the well-choreographed backstage crews.
- Sensitivity rating: While "Les Miserables" certainly has its dark side (and some folks still complain about those sensuous "Lovely Ladies"), there's little in the show that is patently offensive. The underlying themes of Christlike love and redemption come through strong and clear.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIDS benefit
Many of the "Les Miz" cast will take part in an AIDS benefit musical revue and auction at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Off Broadway Theatre, 272 S. Main. Tickets are $30 each. For reservations, contact the Theater League of Utah at 355-5502.