The Arvada Center’s landmark staging of “Les Miserables” is not only an unqualified triumph for the company. It’s also a rare theatrical treat for audiences and a point of great pride for the entire local theater community.
Mingling one Broadway veteran with 30 area all-stars, director Rod Lansberry and his entire creative team meet every expectation in transforming what was a massive spectacle on Broadway into a more intimate epic in the heartland. This is “Les Mis” in all its theatrical glory — sweeping storytelling, thrilling stagecraft, universally powerful performances — but in a theater where no one sits more than 41 feet from the stage.
The personal connection between actor and audience is palpable in feeling — audible in the sniffles that start early with Fantine’s death, and build to such symphonic weeping that by the end, you’d swear the runny noses were their own orchestral section.
Anchoring the piece is the great Randal Keith as Valjean, who was larger than life in the 2006 national tour at the Buell Theatre. In this environ, he strikes the more real figure of an ordinary, introspective man on a morally complex and spiritual journey to reclaim his humanity. And, yes, the dude has the vocal range of a barbershop quartet.
This all-sung musical is performed with confidence and uncommon vocal clarity throughout, making the telling remarkably coherent in action and word.
“Les Mis,” the musical, borrows freely from “West Side Story,” “Oliver,” “Annie” and others. But what sets it apart is that spine-tingling score.
The goosebump lyric moments flow past like a vocal parade: Valjean hitting “this is all I have known” … Fantine (Valerie Hill) on “the dream I dreamed” … Javert (an imposing Stephen Day) snarling “this I swear by the stars” … Enjolras (Markus Warren) nailing “the blood of angry men” … Valjean leading the anthem, “One Day More.”
And that’s just the first act.
It’s also the hauntingly intimate moments that resonate, like Marius (Dan Fosha) singing “I’m lost until she’s found” … or the heartsick Eponine (Amy Board) alternately whispering and uncharacteristically wailing the unrequited lament “I love him – but only on my own.” To which my 15-year-old female guest enthused, “I love that she didn’t sing that song like she was a music-box figurine. She sang it like a girl who just had her heart broken.”
And of course, there are the many full, four-part choral realizations, like “At the End of the Day,” and “Do You Hear the People Sing.”
But really, everyone at the Arvada Center comes through, from Brian Mallgrave’s barricade-dominated set to costumes by Sally A. Burke and S. Jane Shafer to Steve Stevens’ sound and more.
It’s an embarrassment of niches.
There are some regrets, notably a wayward wig or two (one is so oversized for her young character that it could qualify as its own species), and a clumsily staged Javert suicide that makes it look as if his final destination might be Neverland rather than pavement. But nothing significant enough to take away from the monumental overall achievement.
On a personal note, it’s great to see so many accomplished local actors getting the chance to play career-defining, signature roles like those listed above, as well as Elizabeth Welch as the thankless Cosette; and Beth Flynn with Boulder’s Dinner Theatre stalwart Wayne Kennedy as the comically wicked Thenardiers. Also to see actors like Board, often cast as a comic sidekick, get the chance to spread her wings and scrape her guts out onto the stage, when the highest possible stakes are at play.
There is also an astonishing debut from letter-perfect 10-year-old Jimmy Bruenger, who shows uncanny timing and unnerving confidence as the tiny rebel Gavroche (“Little People”).
Nearing completion of this review, I felt compelled to revisit my take on Keith’s 2006 Broadway tour, just to make sure the Arvada Center wasn’t missing something. No, it doesn’t have the same expensive, foreboding lighting. The barricade’s great, but probably not 12,000 pounds. And there’s no 34-foot turntable to rotate scenes 63 times.
Didn’t miss them a bit. “Les Mis” struck me then as a lesson in what the complete experience of live theater can be — to your eyes, ears, brain and heart.
And by that measure, the Arvada Center’s production is second to none.
“If it starts with a bang — and it does,” said my teen companion, “then it ends with nuclear warfare.”
“Les Miserables” **** (out of four stars)
Epic musical. Presented by the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Written by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer. 3 hours. Directed by Rod Lansberry. Starring Randal Keith, Stephen Day, Valerie Hill, Wayne Kennedy, Beth Flynn, Elizabeth Welch, Dan Fosha, Amy Board and Markus Warren. Through Oct. 19. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $45-$75. 720-898-7200 or
The cast list
Randal Keith * Jean Valjean
Stephen Day * Javert
Elizabeth Welch * Cosette
Wayne Kennedy * Thenardier
Beth Flynn * Madame Thenardier
Valerie Hill * Fantine
Amy Board * Eponine
Markus Warren * Enjolras
Dan Fosha * Marius
Jimmy Bruenger * Gavroche
Shawnee Elliott, Kate Lubotsky and Anna Sienko * Little Cosette/Young Eponine
Ensemble: Patric Case, Jennifer DeDominici, Paul Dwyer, Drew Frady, Ethelyn Friend, Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, Brian Hutchinson, Daniel Langhoff, Brian Loveland, Topher Nuccio, Travis Risner, Heather Rubald, Christopher Sergeeff, Michelle Sergeeff, Elisa Spenser, Justin Stapp, Shannan Steele, Megan Van De Hey.
This weekend’s theater openings
“Braided Sorrow” Su Teatro opens its 20th and final season at its present home with the world premiere of this haunting play by San Francisco’s Marisela Treviño Orta. It’s a meditation on the unsolved murders and disappearances of hundreds of female sweat-shop workers in Ciudad, Juarez, directly across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. It is one of the most violent cities in the world. Free-trade agreements between Mexico and the U.S. have left the city open to exploitation by large corporations. Many young women flock to Juarez for factory jobs, unattended by their families and vulnerable to predators. Through Oct. 18. Su Teatro, 4725 High St., 303-296-0219 or and here’s
“The Full Monty” Based on the popular British film in which five unemployed steelworkers (moved here to Buffalo) come up with a bold way to make some quick cash: By taking off their clothes. In the process, they find renewed self-esteem and the importance of friendship. Directed by Nick Sugar. Through Oct. 26. Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-794-2787 or
“Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women” An original comedy by two Denver comics that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female. Borne out of the earnest and sweetly ridiculous writings the two authors discovered in their girlhood diaries, “Girls Only” show has found popularity in its unique examination of all things girly. The show is a mix of sketch comedy, improvisation, audience participation, songs and videos. Men not encouraged to attend. Not appropriate for under 13. At the Galleria Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or and here’s
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” The Heritage Square Music Hall’s wacky takeoff on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, in which detective Sherlock Holmes and assistant Dr. Watson are called to investigate a curse alleged to hang over the house of the Baskervilles. Through Nov. 9. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden, 303-279-7800 or
“Summertree” “What’s this war really costing us?” That question has been asked throughout history. Ron Cowan’s drama asks through the lens of a middle-American family. Through Oct. 26. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or
Compiled by John Moore
Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of every currently running production in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page.
This week’s video podcast: Running Lines at … The Lucy Roucis benefit
This week, by video, Denver Post theater critic John Moore brings you excerpts and interviews from Monday’s benefit to help the actor defray expenses from recent brain surgery to counter the effects of Parkinson’s disease. The event raised more than $4,000. Interviews include Henry Lowenstein, Erica Borrillo, Paul Page and more. Run time: 10 minutes.
Below are images taken at the benefit. Video and photos by John Moore.
