Main Topic Discussed – Les Misérables Live Broadway Musical Production
Blog # 4
DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) – Thursday, July 17,
2025, Performance
Directed by: Laurence Connor & James Powell
Music Director/Conductor: Glenn Alexander II
Review Written by: James B. Wreh
General Impressions
• Attended a live Broadway performance of Les Misérables
(“Lay Miz”), marking my first time seeing this musical live.
• The production was very good, featuring strong vocal performances and
impressive technical execution.
Structure and Storyline
• The first 20 minutes took some adjustment to fully grasp,
as I later realized it served as the prologue before the title Les
Misérables appeared on stage and the main narrative began.
• The interconnected storylines and numerous characters made the plot dense
and, at times, difficult to follow—especially for a newcomer to this Broadway
Production of Les Misérables.
• The story spans from 1815 through the 1830s and into the late 19th century in
France, exploring themes of pursuit, loss, guardianship, love, and redemption.
Key elements include:
- Jean
Valjean, initially a prisoner, is released on parole and pursued
throughout his life by Javert, with their paths crossing multiple times.
- Valjean
turns his life around, first becoming a factory owner in France and later
the Mayor of the same town. He meets Fantine, a factory worker desperate
to care for her daughter, Cosette. After Fantine is fired and falls ill,
Valjean promises her on her deathbed to care for Cosette.
- Valjean
rescues Cosette from a harsh situation and raises her as his own as she
grows into a young woman.
- Cosette
develops a love story of her own, unfolding against the backdrop of the
June Rebellion of 1832.
- Many
key characters die during the battle scene.
Musical and Technical Aspects
• Most of the dialogue is sung, with very few spoken lines,
creating an almost opera-like experience unlike other Broadway productions I’ve
seen.
• The live orchestra played nearly continuously, with breaks only during scene
transitions and intermission. Their endurance and performance deserve high
praise.
• Vocal standout: Student actor Christian Mark Gibbs gave a particularly
compelling performance until his character’s death.
• The ensemble displayed rich harmonies in group numbers, complemented by strong
individual performances.
• A memorable choreography moment involved the company marching in place before
moving forward in formation while singing in harmony. Performers entered and
exited the formation seamlessly, showcasing careful rehearsal and coordination.
This sequence likely required significant practice in rehearsal spaces and
stage adjustments during dress rehearsals to achieve the precision seen on
stage—well executed by all involved.
• Technical highlights in Act II stood out, including excellent lighting
design, strategic positioning, and sound effects—particularly impactful during
the battle scenes.
Personal Experience
• As a first-time viewer of this musical, I found the
production fun, interesting, and technically impressive, though the complex
plot made it initially hard to follow.
Dates and Setting
• The story is set between 1815 and the 1830s, with the June
Rebellion of 1832 (Young Revolutionaries vs. the French monarchy and government
troops) as a central backdrop.
• Performance attended by James Wreh on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the
Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).
Companion Podcast & Video
Full episode #76 is available to watch and listen to on YouTube and Spotify 🎧🎬
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dkYJBBVjCWb
https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypodcaster124
Performance Attended on: Thursday, July 17th,
2025
Written and recorded by James B. Wreh, creator, host, and producer of The
Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast.
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