REV (LA2000)

This was a very special performance of Les Mis. It was the December 31st 1999 performance that marked the beginning of a new century. When I arrived outside the theatre, a lot of the people were dressed very formally in tuxes and gowns. Then when I went inside, several people were carrying these posters that they had won from a radio contest. The poster had the Cosette logo in gold wearing a New Year's hat and holding a noise-maker. The poster had written on it, "The musical of the century welcomes the Millennium" . And it was signed by the entire cast of Les mis. Ivan Rutherford as Valjean did a phenomenal job. He keeps getting better every time I see him. His performance was one of the best I've ever seen any Valjean do. It was that flawless. Then Trent Blanton as the understudy Javert did a great job. His singing and acting were especially powerful during "Javert's Suicide". Joan Almedilla as Fantine had a great voice. But it wasn't quite as strong as her character requires. This was the first time I saw Aymee Garcia as Mme. Thenardier. She was fantastic. She was hysterical during "Master of the House" and "The Bargain". She is one of the best Mme. Thenardiers I've seen. JP Dougherty was very good again as Thenardier. Kevin Early was great as Enjolras. He had an extremely powerful voice. Tim Howar was very good again as Marius. Sutton Foster was excellent again as Eponine. And Regan Thiel was good again as Cosette. The audience response to this show was fantastic. They clapped after almost every number (including "Drink With Me" and "A Little Fall of Rain" which don't usually get applause). Then the icing on the cake was when the cast came out for their final bow. Just when we thought that the cast had gone off stage for good, they all came back out on stage wearing New Years hats. The audience went absolutely crazy when they saw this. There was a huge thunderous applause and cheering. The orchestra started playing the intro to "Auld Lang Syne". Then the whole cast sang an incredible multi-part harmony version of the song. It sounded just as powerful as "One Day More" had sounded earlier that evening. Then when the song was over, the cast threw loads of colored confetti into the audience. There was another thunderous burst of applause. Then when I was walking outside the theatre, I saw the radio van that was giving away those Les Mis Millennium posters to those contest winners. I really wanted one of the posters. So right before the van drove off, I asked the driver if she happened to have an extra poster that I could have. It turned out that she did have an extra poster to give me. I couldn't believe how lucky I was. This was definitely a very memorable evening.


	Los Angeles Millennium Eve Performance (Ahmanson Theatre, December 31, 1999) REVIEW Valjean (Ivan Rutherford) Javert (Trent Blanton *--understudy) Fantine (Joan Almedilla) Thenardier (JP Dougherty) Mme. Thenardier (Aymee Garcia) Enjolras (Kevin Early) Marius (Tim Howar) Eponine (Sutton Foster) Cosette (Regan Thiel) This was a very special performance of Les Mis. It was the December 31st 1999 performance that marked the beginning of a new century. When I arrived outside the theatre, a lot of the people were dressed very formally in tuxes and gowns. Then when I went inside, several people were carrying these posters that they had won from a radio contest. The poster had the Cosette logo in gold wearing a New Year's hat and holding a noise-maker. The poster had written on it, "The musical of the century welcomes the Millennium" . And it was signed by the entire cast of Les mis. Ivan Rutherford as Valjean did a phenomenal job. He keeps getting better every time I see him. His performance was one of the best I've ever seen any Valjean do. It was that flawless. Then Trent Blanton as the understudy Javert did a great job. His singing and acting were especially powerful during "Javert's Suicide". Joan Almedilla as Fantine had a great voice. But it wasn't quite as strong as her character requires. This was the first time I saw Aymee Garcia as Mme. Thenardier. She was fantastic. She was hysterical during "Master of the House" and "The Bargain". She is one of the best Mme. Thenardiers I've seen. JP Dougherty was very good again as Thenardier. Kevin Early was great as Enjolras. He had an extremely powerful voice. Tim Howar was very good again as Marius. Sutton Foster was excellent again as Eponine. And Regan Thiel was good again as Cosette. The audience response to this show was fantastic. They clapped after almost every number (including "Drink With Me" and "A Little Fall of Rain" which don't usually get applause). Then the icing on the cake was when the cast came out for their final bow. Just when we thought that the cast had gone off stage for good, they all came back out on stage wearing New Years hats. The audience went absolutely crazy when they saw this. There was a huge thunderous applause and cheering. The orchestra started playing the intro to "Auld Lang Syne". Then the whole cast sang an incredible multi-part harmony version of the song. It sounded just as powerful as "One Day More" had sounded earlier that evening. Then when the song was over, the cast threw loads of colored confetti into the audience. There was another thunderous burst of applause. Then when I was walking outside the theatre, I saw the radio van that was giving away those Les Mis Millennium posters to those contest winners. I really wanted one of the posters. So right before the van drove off, I asked the driver if she happened to have an extra poster that I could have. It turned out that she did have an extra poster to give me. I couldn't believe how lucky I was. This was definitely a very memorable evening.