REV (NY 92)

This was probably the weakest production of Les Mis I've ever seen. Almost everyone on stage seemed like they were tired of doing the show. I even got bored during certain parts which is hard to believe. But then again, the last production I saw was the incredible 3rd National tour in Phoenix. I didn't enjoy Mark McKerracher's performance as Valjean. He sang his part too straight and I didn't like some of his acting choices. Every time he wanted to show that he was angry, he would literally growl some of his lyrics like an animal. This was a very unrealistic portrayal. Rachel York as Fantine was a great actress who sang her part very well. But she tended to belt almost her entire performance. She could have shown a little more vulnerability. On the other hand, Michelle Maika (who is my all time favorite Eponine from San Francisco) gave another incredible, flawless performance as Eponine. The only time I really enjoyed watching this production was when she was on stage. The individual ensemble members were very weak. Most of them sounded like they were singing with very old and tired voices. The orchestra again was very weak. It sounded very muted.


	Broadway (Imperial Theatre, Aug. 1992) REVIEW Valjean (Mark McKerracher) Javert (Richard Kinsey) Fantine (Rachel York) Thenardier (Drew Eshelman) Mme. Thenardier (Evalyn Baron) Enjolras (Joe Mahowald) Marius (Eric Kunze) Eponine (Michelle Maika) Cosette (Melissa Anne Davis) This was probably the weakest production of Les Mis I've ever seen. Almost everyone on stage seemed like they were tired of doing the show. I even got bored during certain parts which is hard to believe. But then again, the last production I saw was the incredible 3rd National tour in Phoenix. I didn't enjoy Mark McKerracher's performance as Valjean. He sang his part too straight and I didn't like some of his acting choices. Every time he wanted to show that he was angry, he would literally growl some of his lyrics like an animal. This was a very unrealistic portrayal. Rachel York as Fantine was a great actress who sang her part very well. But she tended to belt almost her entire performance. She could have shown a little more vulnerability. On the other hand, Michelle Maika (who is my all time favorite Eponine from San Francisco) gave another incredible, flawless performance as Eponine. The only time I really enjoyed watching this production was when she was on stage. The individual ensemble members were very weak. Most of them sounded like they were singing with very old and tired voices. The orchestra again was very weak. It sounded very muted.