Stage Write

Les Misérables has seen a resurgence in the past couple years. The popular musical, which tells the story of a convict who finds redemption, has been everywhere from Broadway to the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and is now on stage at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. Yet despite being around for decades, there are still audience members at each performance seeing the show for the first time. It is with those individuals in mind that I recommend this production. Anyone who has seen the show many times will inevitably compare it, which makes it easy to pick out the flaws, but those seeing it for the first time will be swept away by the huge cast and the sheer scope of the story. The production’s minimalist set makes use of lighting over set pieces. The lighting design, by Ryan Koharchik, balances some tricky moments when one cast member is performing at the front of the stage and the set is being shuffled for the next scene in the back. The result is relatively smooth transit...

It’s a rare treat in the world of theater to find a show that blends an incredible story, a breathtakingly beautiful score and superb characters. Les Misérables is one of the few musicals that has it all. It’s easy to understand why the show is celebrating its 25th anniversary tour. It’s a show that has endured through decades, touching new generations with its power and is on stage now at Clowes Memorial Hall. One thing I’ve always loved about Les Misérables is its ability to balance big cast numbers and intense solos. The combination of the two creates a powerful story of forgiveness, grace and redemption. The quiet solos, like Javert's "Stars" are just as moving as the big finale songs. Peter Lockyer stars as Jean Valjean, a man who has spent 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. Lockyer's voice has incredible range and depth and his astounding performance makes the production worth seeing all on it's own. Luckily the rest of the cast is excel...