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It is always risky to try something different. I have been a fan of this musical as long as I can remember, but taking a classic like Les Miserables and making it a comedy, well... That is the impression I got from this version of the musical, all because of one character who stands out from the others. Nick Jonas! You will chuckle when Nick Jonas dryly tries to act dramatically. Giggle heartily when you see Nick Jonas try to hit some of the higher notes. You will have tears running down your face from the howling laughter when you see Nick Jonas try to shake vibrato from his body. Some of the higher comedy moments are whey he falls flat, or rings sharp. But the truly magical comicality moments are when Nick Jonas runs out of air and tries to force just a little more out of his depleted lungs to lengthen out the note to it's intended duration. Oddly enough I didn't find any of the other cast humorous at all. Perhaps they didn't get the memo. OK, enough of being whimsical. I think that if not for Nick Jonas, this would have been one of the best renditions of Les Miserables I have seen. I cringed every time he opened his mouth. On the way opposite end, Alfie Boe blows everyone away with his incredible voice. I could almost feel his irritation with having to sing with such an amateur as Nick Jonas. Thankfully several times I could hear Alfie drown out Nick's voice with his powerful vocals. Giving such an important part to someone who can't sing is deplorable. Perhaps they were trying to bring in a younger crowd, but I don't think that it was necessary. This musical already carries it's weight. This is worth seeing just to see Alfie Boe and the rest of the cast sing. I can't imagine anyone remaining dry eyed after past cast members who have played Jean Valjean including Colm Wilkinson with Alfie Boe sing Bring Him Home. It is truly a highlight!
score 8/10
owakulukem 31 December 2014
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3152781/ |
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18-2-2021 06:05:06