What: Les Misérables, the musical theatre classic
When: June 2016
Where: Imperial Theatre, New York
Why: It was Aleshea's first Broadway show so we kept it classic
Thoughts: Let me preface this with a little about me: I've always loved musical theatre (I grew up on the classic The Rodgers & Hammerstein
films), but I haven't really had access to live theatre until around 2014. I'd never seen many shows considered classics, Les Mis included. My first experience with Les Mis at all was the 2012 film.
films), but I haven't really had access to live theatre until around 2014. I'd never seen many shows considered classics, Les Mis included. My first experience with Les Mis at all was the 2012 film.
All that being said, I think I'm fairly easy to please. I've seen 7 shows on Broadway and I've walked away from each one satisfied. Except this one. This was the first time in my life I'd ever seen a live show and thought to myself "the movie 
was better." Yikes. In all fairness, it sounds like previous productions of Les Mis were better than this "scaled down" version we saw, but that doesn't help a first timer coming in with more grandiose expectations. The production felt more like a concert 
than a Broadway production; there were lots of stunning voices and performers making their Broadway debut (I should note that the production had already announced it's closure and most beloved performers had already departed the show), but you could constantly see the performers looking to the conductor to stay on track and I never felt completely immersed in the story.
It's hard to say this because the story and the music of Les Mis are stunning. While I have no other live productions to compare to, this one just seemed kind of blase. I hope future revivals can find a way to be more engaging and of Broadway-caliber quality. Also, this opinion may only be mine. Ask Aleshea and she may have very different opinions.
Have you seen Les Mis live? How did you like it?
was better." Yikes. In all fairness, it sounds like previous productions of Les Mis were better than this "scaled down" version we saw, but that doesn't help a first timer coming in with more grandiose expectations. The production felt more like a concert 
than a Broadway production; there were lots of stunning voices and performers making their Broadway debut (I should note that the production had already announced it's closure and most beloved performers had already departed the show), but you could constantly see the performers looking to the conductor to stay on track and I never felt completely immersed in the story.It's hard to say this because the story and the music of Les Mis are stunning. While I have no other live productions to compare to, this one just seemed kind of blase. I hope future revivals can find a way to be more engaging and of Broadway-caliber quality. Also, this opinion may only be mine. Ask Aleshea and she may have very different opinions.
Have you seen Les Mis live? How did you like it?
Want more? Check out the Les Mis original cast recording here, or take a look at other shows I've seen here.
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