Les Misérables is a Masterclass in How Live Shows Should Be Done
Les Misérables is known for being an emotional show to watch and an emotionally taxing show to perform. Based on the 1862 Victor Hugo novel of the same name, the story chronicles the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) on his journey to redemption with 19th-century France as the backdrop. He is being chased by Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), a police inspector with an unwavering dedication to the law who grapples with his duty to uphold the law and exercise his own personal sense of justice.
Preston Truman Boyd as Javert in Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Look Down…look Down…Don’t look ‘em in the eye…
Outside of Valjean, we also have Fantine (Haley Dortch), who doesn’t get much stage time but plays a crucial role in the story. She’s introduced as a factory worker forced into prostitution to support her illegitimate daughter, Cosette (little Cosette Olivia Sullivan). Cosette (adult Cosette Addie Morales) gets a fortunate turn of events when she’s adopted by Valjean and has a life of joy and innocence.
Cosette falls in love with Marius (Gregory Lee Rodriguez), who also has the affection of Éponine (Phoenix Best), though he only views her as a friend. Still, she remains fiercely loyal to him, and as the eldest daughter of the Thénardiers, she knows how to sacrifice her own happiness to protect those around her.
Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
On the topic of Thénardier (Matt Crowle), he’s the “Master of the House” and actually provides some much-needed comic relief at some of the more tender and emotional moments of the story.
There’s definitely a lot going on in the story, and with the source material being over 1,000 pages long, it’s easy to see how the stories can get so complicated as they weave together. That said, there’s also a reason this show is so timeless, and the production of it at the San Diego Civic Theater was nothing short of a masterclass in how live theater should be done.
Devin Archer as Enjolras and company in Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
The music in Les Mis is catchy, operatic, and poignant. Cheers of “Look down! Look down!” chant across the story from the company, and Cosette carries the “Castle on a Cloud” tune from childhood throughout her adult years.
From Basements and Nannying to Broadway Lights
Dortch also shined bright as Fantine, and I was fortunate enough to chat with her about the role prior to the performance for RAGE Magazine. She originally auditioned for the role from her friend’s basement with “On My Own” and had no idea she would land the part, especially since she’d never done a show like this before.
“I had cobwebs hanging above me,” she said. “It was all part of the ambiance, I say, but the rest from there is history.”
Haley Dortch as Fantine in Les Miserables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Another standout in the show was Lee Rodriguez, who crushed as Marius and probably had the most time on stage out of anyone.
Lee Rodriguez also took some time to chat with me before the show, saying he was a born and raised New Yorker who started theater in eighth grade. As an adult, he nannied in between auditions before ultimately landing the role of Marius.
“I would say [playing Marius] has been incredibly rewarding, both in terms of the things that I’ve learned while being on this process and the things I’ve learned about being in the industry and about myself as an artist,” he says, also noting that meeting people as he travels through the country inspires him. “It’s filled my cup more than I think I’ve realized.”
The Emotional Rollercoaster That is Les Misérables
(from L) Gregory Lee Rodriguez as Marius, Christine Heesun Hwang as Éponine, Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean, Addie Morales as Cosette in Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman
The emotions needed to get through Les Mis cover a wide range, and Lee Rodriguez was one of the shining talents on the stage. The set design (and lighting!) effortlessly transitions through over 15 years of storyline, through sewers and alleys, towns and on-stage battles, and everything in between. With so much going on, it can be difficult to draw on the energy needed to get the job done.
“I've definitely learned what is sustainable for eight shows a week with the material this show has,” he says. “How far you can go without running what you have to give ragged and how to keep it fresh and new. But it’s eight times a week while traveling, maintaining your health, entertaining, and you definitely have to know how to navigate the spaces that this production creates.”
The team works flawlessly together in navigating those spaces. The visuals seem simplistic in practice, but wildly complicated behind the scenes. The battles during the June Rebellion were choreographed to a T and the brief and bloody fight was captivating and heart-wrenching at the same time.
Phoenix Best as Éponine in Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman
To get deeper into character, Lee Rodriguez says he just tries to find the moment as authentically as he can with whatever he has going on for the day. “If you’re connected with your character, if you are solid and you’re seeing it work with your co-workers and the other creatives on stage, then it comes naturally,” he says. “You can find other avenues to convey exactly what you need to without having to exhaust every muscle or have tension. This is the longest run I’ve ever done, and it’s wonderful to see the different sides of this character that I can find on any given day.”
“The Current Cast [of Les Misérables] has a lot of heart.”
Even though the cast and crew are always on the move, they still have some time to explore the places they go, should they choose. “It’s really at the leisure of the actor,” says Lee Rodriguez. “For me, there are definitely some cities where I’m resting. I’m exhausted. Some cities we were there during winter, so I can’t really knock myself for not doing much at that time. You definitely have time to see what the city has to offer, and if not, you’re definitely eating the city. That’s the best way to experience what the locals like, and I’m a big foodie.”
Lee Rodriguez’s run as Marius ends in San Jose on October 22, when he will probably go back to New York, recalibrate, and “definitely get on all the appointments that I couldn’t do throughout the year.”
He’s appreciative of his time on stage, and also with the people he’s gotten to work with along the way.
One Day More from Les Misérables. Photo Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
“The current cast has a lot of heart,” he says. “Everyone brings a unique life experience that we each have in our roles. What we have here is really special and definitely not something I’ll ever forget. It’s been pivotal for me as a person, as an actor, as a singer. It leaves audiences feeling full, and I love the feeling of knowing that. I’m hoping San Diego will jump on the opportunity to come see us.”
San Diego should come out to see the show because it was nothing short of a spectacle worth seeing while it’s here. You can watch it live at the San Diego Civic Theater through October 16. Grab your tickets here.
Have you ever seen a live run of Les Misérables? What did you think, if you did? Or is it a show that’s still on your list? Let me know down in the comments!
I love seeing live renditions of Disney movies, like Aladdin when it rolled through San Diego a few months ago. I was equally excited to see Peter Pan as it came to town to close out this season of San Diego Broadway.
While the show takes on the same plot of Peter Pan flying into Wendy Darling’s room and taking her and her brothers, Michael and John, off to Neverland, the show’s approach is much more modern, much more racially inclusive, and fortunately much more gay.