DALLAS (KDAF) — There's a reason. Les Miserables It is touted as “the world's most popular musical.”
Stories of love, redemption, justice, religion and the fight for freedom have captivated audiences since 1980, when the show first opened in Paris. But if you want to go back even further, it was in his 1862 that this story began to wow audiences. When Victor Hugo's historical novel was first published.
The English version of the musical opened in London in 1985 and on Broadway in 1987, and has been shown in countless concerts and films (including a 2012 remake), starring Hugh Jackman, Anne -Many familiar names appeared, including Hathaway and Russell Crowe. , to name a few), Les Miserables has become one of the most respected musicals in the world.
Even if you're not interested in theater, you've probably heard of it at least once. More than 130 million people around the world watched the show in 53 countries and 22 languages. Les Miserables It will be held in North Texas as part of the Broadway Dallas Germania Insurance Broadway Series.
But why is this the world's most popular musical? Why does the story of the French Revolution continue to influence audiences around the world nearly 200 years later?
Featuring an ensemble cast, captivating music, and relatable themes, the American tour Les Miserables ” remains relevant and continues to captivate audiences with stories that illuminate the human heart.
Set in 19th century France, Les Miserables Jean Valjean is an ex-convict trying to build a new life for himself. The story spans several years and features characters such as Valjean's adopted daughter Cosette and her lover Marius, the factory worker Fantine, the revolutionary leader Enjolras, Inspector Javert, the despicable thieves Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, and Marius' friend Eponine. A person appears.
The production, which combines physical sets and technology, is visually impressive. The physical aspects, from the intricate garden gates to the towering barricades, are astonishing in both size and detail. The show also incorporates art by Victor Hugo himself. A vast watercolor landscape of Paris, animated to match the various elements of the show, plays on a screen behind the set, providing an authentic backdrop of 19th century France.
Nick Cartel plays Valjean with strength and touching vulnerability, showing the character's growth from tough prisoner to reformed man. This change is most evident in “Bring Him Home,” a moving ballad in which Valjean prays for Marius' safety after the massacre. At the barricade.
Preston Truman Boyd commands the stage as Javert. From his staunch loyalty to the law to a man obsessed with acts of mercy, Boyd plays the character's complexities with surprising sensitivity, especially in “Soliloquy.”
For Dallas native Haley Dortch, who plays Fantine, the tour marks a homecoming of sorts. Dortch won Best Actress at the High School Musical Theater Awards for Broadway Dallas in 2019 and 2020. Dortch portrays Fantine with emotional depth, with her transcendent rendition of the famous “I Dreamed a Dream” evoking pain, her longing, and her regrets, making her a moving song that touches her heart. We are creating.
The Thenardiers, played by Victoria Huston-Ellem and Matt Crowle, provide comedic relief at the right times. Enjolras, played by Devin Archer, becomes an inspirational leader in the fight for freedom. Even the children (referred to as “little people” on the show) provide childlike wonder and occasional comedy.
Each character brings the story to life on stage in a way that completely immerses the audience, but it's the final songs at the climax of Acts 1 and 2 that truly highlight the power of the show. The final song of Act 1, “One Day More,” sees the entire company take to the stage for a final check-in before intermission. The song utilizes each character's unique vocal line to create an all-encompassing and moving melody for a knockout moment. The final number of Act II, “Finale,” reunites the company for a triumphant ending full of defiance and optimism.
While this show could be considered simply depressing – after all, it's called “Misery” – viewers would be remiss to reduce it to just a sad story. Les Miserables This is a story full of hope and the promise of a better tomorrow. The show evokes larger themes of redemption, mercy, compassion, sacrifice, familial love, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. It's about embodying the best of humanity, the qualities that shine even in the midst of tragedy, and weaving stories that are ultimately moving and as meaningful now, perhaps more than ever.
can be caught Les Miserables At Broadway Dallas through December 31st. Check out the full calendar and get your tickets here.
