Stunning music. But too raunchy for me.
by lovesmusicals on 2013-07-17Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - EdmontonRating: 2 out of 5I love Les Mis. It's my favorite musical by far. Its an amazing combination of a story that is powerful and causes one be deeply reflective, as well as (for the musical version) fabulously rich music. Goosebump, awe producing music. My only complaint in the music department is that the orchestration was often louder than the singers. But it was still really great.
Oh, and frustrating that people clap so soon at the end of the song. Don't they know that one of the best moments of the song is after the last note is sung and it hangs in the air for a few seconds? Grrr... some people obviously don't because they clap before the song is done!
I saw the Les Mis stage production that toured my area more than 10 years ago and loved it. I have seen the Liam Neeson version of the movie, as well as the most recent movie version with Hugh Jackman. Of those four Les Mis experiences, this stage production was my least favorite. Not because the music or sets or costumes anything like that. In deed, those were all extremely well done. We even had the understudy of Jean Val Jean (spelling?) and you wouldn't have known. These are clearly talented people!
What bothered me most was the raunchiness of this production. Seriously. Showing the movement of sex on stage? And twice! No nudity (which is how they got away with it), but the up and down movement punctuated with thrusting. I've never seen that on stage before, nor did I care to experience it. Ever! It was quite irritating actually. And the prostitute scene was over done. It was like they were trying to keep up with the Ann Hathaway rape scene in the most recent movie.
I know Les Mis has some uncomfortable moments and I always cringe at those moments. But in all the versions I have seen,it is clear that there is some leeway in how the director responds - some are more crude than others. The most recent movie with Hugh Jackman was too raunchy for me, but I guess I expected more class from a theatrical production. I didn't expect to see such strong vulgarity on stage. I was disappointed that we as a society have fallen to the level where that is acceptable. I know I am in the minority, but this is my review and for those of you who are like me, be warned. This is not a family friendly production (even though there are kids in it!).