Les Miserables

When a beloved musical returns in a National Tour it can be feast or famine; certainly adapting these tours from a recent Broadway run is problematic at best. What worked in the West End or Great White Way doesn't necessarily work on the road. But every once in awhile, the producers craft it correctly, and those of us not willing to make the trip to New York can get treated to a spectacular show.

Such is the case with the latest tour of "Les Miserables" arriving in Providence for a slightly longer run than normal for this venue, and it is polished, lively and filled with vocal talent. Such a show is epic in execution, and rather long, but the story has something everyone: war, love, death, imprisonment, chase, and redemption. Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) spent 19 years in prison, with hard labor no less (this is 19th century France, after all) and wins his freedom through parole. But he breaks it to make a life for himself and is pursued by Inspector Javert (Josh Davis) relentlessly.

Along the way Valjean meets a young factory worker Fantine (Melissa Mitchell) and saves her from arrest; she confesses that she has a small daughter she is struggling to support. Through a strange set of lurid circumstances, he agrees to adopt her child Cosette (Jillian Butler, as the adult, Sophie Knapp plays the younger,) and raise her as his own.

It's their journey at the center of the tale, and it never lets us forget the conflict looming in the shape of Revolution. This tour comes off the heels of a successful two-and-a-half year tour on Broadway, and it is spectacular. Shorter than some productions this reviewer has seen it nevertheless doesn't lose its impact.

The scenery is just as you'd imagine: dark and dirty alleyways, poorly lit streets and sewers, and a barricade of furniture and objects to serve as the last stand for our heroes. Projected graphics represent a good deal of the settings, most notably during scenes with Valjean and Marius (Joshua Grosso.) It works to mirror the gritty settings beautifully.

Imaginative lighting and some loud sound effects enhance the battles and serves to keep the attendee at the edge of his/her seat. The casting is clearly some veterans of the New York stage and it's a pleasure to see and hear. Making the most of her small role, Mitchell is solid as Fantine. Both Knapp and Butler as Cosette shine in these roles.

The ones to watch are Davis and Cartell in the two leads; Davis is menacing and driven as Javert. Cartell is absolutely mesmerizing as Valjean; his voice is incredibly versatile. Grosso also shines as the young student and love interest for Cosette, Marius. Special mention for Phoenix Best as Eponine, she embraces this important character with gusto. From the orchestrations of the beloved music to the climactic battle scenes this production is nothing short of epic and spectacular. If Les Mis is something you've never seen, now is your chance to see an excellent performance.

"Les Miserables" is running through September 30 at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903. For information or tickets, call 401-421-2997 or visit www.ppacri.org