Les Miserables Reviews

Rachel from Charlotte, North Carolina

SAVE YOUR MONEY AND WATCH THE MOVIE

We saw the Charlotte, NC production on 10/30/19. Overall this performance of “Les Miserables” had no heart. Yes, the actors had lovely voices but the acting lacked a true connection with the emotion of the characters as well as with the audience. The first part of the show felt frantic and rushed. Jean Valjean was very difficult to understand and his physical acting was odd. If I wasn’t already familiar with the show and lyrics I’m sure I would have left frustrated by how many actors I simply could not understand. I saw a smaller community production of the same show years ago and it made me tear up with emotion several times. I experienced none of that with this production. It felt like the actors were just trying to showcase their talent in a prideful way. I also did not appreciate the crassness that was added to the production. I understand that “Master of the House” is meant to convey the base nature of those characters but it felt like there were references scattered throughout the show that weren’t necessary and just felt like a way to get some cheap and easy laughs without having to try very hard. Sorry, but middle school was a long time ago for most of us who saw the show and frankly, those penis jokes weren’t amusing back then.

Scot Ashton from Columbus, Ohio

COLUMBUS OHIO BROADWAY SERIES “LES MIS”

Out of tune , over singing , dropped phrases, clipped phrases, poor diction, voices forced and pinched in all ranges... poor balance between pit and stage, rhythms messed up... If you want to hearforced singing ruining voices this is your show . How many times can a singer be forced to belt a straight tone followed by vibrato and yet another phrase ruined by intonation problems? This is Les Mis 5 for us and it reeked. The gentleman who played Jean Val Jean was the exception as he was superb and sensitive and emotional. He had the breath support for high notes and he flipped in the head voice with such ease that it could take your breath away. He was the diamond behind this chunk of coal. Whatever he is doing with this cast I hope he finds his way to better places because he deserves it. Inconsistent accents of American and British Robbed the listener of wit and poignant moments so available in the writing and yet so overlooked by the worst direction of this production. Sad!

Tom from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

NOT A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE

Very dark lighting, sat 15 rows from stage and still could not see expressions on actors faces. Voice quality of actors poor. You should not be ready to call your uber before first intermission....

Sally from Sarasota, Florida

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY

Was so looking forward to seeing this, but was very disappointed. Performers who screamed over the orchestra, poor diction, and way too long. Was tempted to leave at intermission,.

Wes Reed from Indianapolis, Indiana

MISERABLE SHOW

We saw this 5 years ago and it was amazing. It has changed significantly for the worse. It is more vulgar, more bland, more dark (literally and figuratively) and just in general less stirring and less beautiful. The original production was written in such a way that the darkness and evil set the stage for beauty- the darkness added contrast. In this version, the darkness overshadows. More specifically, so much of the production just didn't make sense. The song "A Little Fall of Rain" is sung without rain; not even on the screen background. The song "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" is performed with no tables and no chairs; an empty stage with candles and "dead" people. This feels like a reboot that has way too much of someone's personal touch, and every change was for the worse.

Sad customer from Salt Lake City, Utah

SHOCKED AT HOW POOR IT COMPARED TO PAST PERFORMANCES

I have seen this broadway show many times and in different locations over the years. I have always loved it and been brought to tears with emotion and the beauty of the voices. This was the worst experience with a broadway show by far. I’m shocked at the quality of what I heard. Jean Valjean did a wonderful job. The sound quality was so hard to hear and often sounded pitchy. I am just shocked. Everyone near us was straining to hear, it was absolutely silent and still we could barely hear. Not sure if it is the theater, but I am turned off from any temptation to see a show here again. I hope it was the theater because I can’t imagine that this is what broadway performances are like now.

Dissatisfied John from Los Angeles, California

LES MISERABLE WAS TRULY MISERABLE

I enthusiastically booked the 8/12 8PM show at the Pantages for 4 family members. I was excited to share with my family the wonder, emotions and splendor of my favorite musical. Instead, we endured almost 3 hours of an apparently 'updated' show with changed and added songs presented by actors more emotive than talented. Songs that called for power were breathy falsettos instead. Songs that require tenderness were nearly moaned in agony. Preston Boyd as Javert was the only singer that I would pay to watch again. The cast was amateurish at best (Fantine is actually a current Michigan college student). Some of the leads seemed to be selected based on DEI quotas instead of having demonstrated national touring company talent. In addition to the weak cast, the sound system was horrendous. It was difficult to hear or understand most songs, and at 3 points the system made a horrible sound, finally shutting off altogether for 15 minutes in the 2nd act. I should have heeded that omen and left.

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