Quique
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Random Thoughts......on some recent 3rd national tour performances I attended, here, in Los Angeles.
Saw the show three times last month; on the 9th, 14th, and 18th. All were evening performances.
Here's what I thought...
~ Randal Keith did a wonderful job on the 9th and 18th. However, he completely blew me away on the 14th. The intensity of that performance was almost too much to take. I couldn't imagine him being any better than he was on the 9th. Boy, was I in for a surprise! His "Soliloquy" had me vibrating.
I thought it might have been where I was sitting; 4th row, ochestra. It was incredibly close. I've seen the show that close or closer many times, so, I dismissed that being the case. The entire cast was just incredible that night as well. The part of the poor in "At the End Of the Day" was so strong and forceful, it sent shivers. I seriously wanted to tell the late-comers to go f*ck themselves, as they nearly ruined the whole scene. I had to stand to allow some of them get to their seats. Ugh. 
~ Robert Hunt was Javert on the 14th and 18th. His performance was much improved over his 2004 performances I had seen. I like his Javert but I still think he looks a tad young for the role. Like Keith's, his 14 June performance was amazing. I cried buckets during his "Soliloquy." It was angry in all the right places. I loved how the emotion shone upon his face. I was impressed.
Pierce Peter Brandt was Javert on the 9th. His interpretation was unique in that I actually felt for the guy, lol. His voice seemed better suited for the role of Enjolras or Marius at first. It had a youthful, sweet quality to it. Very appealing to the ear. Not that Javert is supposed to sound repulsive but you know what I mean. It didn't have the sort of edgy sound that one has come to expect from Javert. He wasn't as stoic as most and allowed flexibility with his expression of emotion. He often seemed tormented and confused. I didn't get an evilness from him, as is usually the case with this character. It was more like he was only doing his job. It was especially poignant when Valjean told him he didn't blame him. I really liked his Javert. Very fresh take on an old role.
~ I loved Joan Almedilla's Fantine. It was almost comparable to the intensity seen in Keith's performance. Especially on the 14th. It didn't bother me one bit that she was twitching and ticking all over the place during her arrest and death scenes. I felt it added to the whole tragedy. He voice was much stronger than I remember it from the previous several times I've seen her in the role. Her acting was phenomenal and every line was filled with heart and meaning. I loved her.
~ Melissa Lyon's Eponine was also much improved over the 2004 performances I attended. Her voice didn't slip out of tune as much and her overall singing and acting was much stronger. I still think her voice is not suitable for most of the songs. It gets weak at the higher registers and sounds forced. I was especially disappointed with her "Pretending." It just didn't project and got lost in the orchestra.
My opinion of her is not as bad as before but, as talented as I think she is, I still think this role is not for her.
~ Victor Wallace was great as Enjolras. I loved his booming low notes. His acting was not very strong though. He seemed lost most of the time during the first act on both the 9th and 18th. His second act performance seemed much improved but that can be more about the dramatic nature of the second act as opposed to suddenly getting stronger and more focused. One thing that stood out, was his expression of devastation after Gavroche's death.
Eric Briarley was Enjolras on the 14th. He had a sweet quality to his voice on the softer, higher notes. I missed Victor's booming low notes but Eric did a much better job in the acting department.
~ I really, really liked Daniel Bogart's Marius. I think I fell in love with him too, lol! Honestly, he was just such a cute Marius. While he is a good looking guy, I don't mean so much physically, but more his character's personality and his gorgeous voice.
It has often been said that recent Marius' seem airheaded and dorky or that they have machine-gun vibrato. I actually agree and the latter did bother me to some extent on the 9th. I suddenly thought of Peter Lockyer and Kevin Kern. Not that I didn't like them, cause I did, but I agree that the crazy vibrato can get to be too much, lol. For some reason, Daniel's didn't get to me as much. I just loved the funky expressions he made while singing and the way his hair always looked messed-up. He had a boyish quality that made him very endearing.
I wanted to grab him and take him home with me, lol. 
And no! I'm not gay. Which means he probably did a really great job, haha.
~ Leslie Henstock was Cosette for only the first act on the 9th. 
Ali Ewoldt took over for the second act. I have no idea what happened but I'm assuming she didn't feel well. She seemed alright to me, though.
I recall raving about Leslie's Cosette in 2004. She was OK this time. Her high notes sounded sharp and screechy at times. I think she doesn't look as believable in the role anymore. Not that she looked old or anything. Her acting was solid though.
I loved, loved, loved Ali's Cosette. She looked soooo cute!!! I also wanted to pack her up and take her home with me, lol. Her voice was gorgeous and she hit those notes flawlessly. Her acting during the wedding scene with the Thenardiers was priceless.
Loves me some Ali.
~ Jennifer Butt and Norman Large were great. Jennifer seemed to be phoning in her performances on the 9th and 18th but her performance on the 14th was wonderful. I really don't know what got into the cast on that day but it was almost scary. They were all so strong. And it's not the seating, cause I sat 7th row on the 9th and 12th row on the 18th - both great, prime seating locations. Somehow, I doubt a few rows would make such a big difference. Besides, someone as obsessed as I would automatically be able to distinguish the why's and how's of even the tiniest changes. I notice everything and it most certainly wasn't the seat locations. I should've checked if there was a full moon that night, lol.
These two also did a great job balancing the comedy and drama. Jennifer was taken seriously in all the right moments, and was funny as well, when appropriate. Her voice seemed a tad weaker this time around though.
Norman was incredible. His acting choices were genius. It's amazing how a tiny gesture can change the entire look and feel of his character. Like I've previously mentioned in other reviews, Thenardier is not supposed to be a mere clown, and Norman delivered what I thought was one of the finest performances of the role I've ever seen. Thenardier is usually far from scary to me. Norman WAS scary. He was a rat, a low-life, with a very evil streak. He worked nicely with Jennifer too. I loved his belching before "The Waltz Of Treachery," lol.
I loved them both and I'm glad these roles are in good hands as they've been in the hands of 'clowns' who steal the show for far too long.
I'll continue this later.
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