"Les miserables" - review of a play

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This is a critical review of a play. Teacher thought I did an excellent job

Romantic Impulse

Joseph DeJesus

Dr. Siedlecki March 15, 1997

"Les Miserables"

"Will the future ever arrive?... Should we continue to look upwards? Is the light we can see in the sky one of those which will presently be extinguished?" This quote by Victor Hugo summarizes the dispirited questions asked by characters in the musical "Les Miserables." A story which entails the lives of people in a constant entanglement with suffering and despair.

This tragic tale has been portrayed on stage for millions of people all over the world, and has achieved renounced success for its excellent portrayal of what all humans posses: emotion. This musical runs in places like England, Japan, France, Spain and all over the US. and is predicted to continue its immense popularity for many years to come.

Since this production is a musical, the entire show revolves around music and song, which I believe magnifies and intensifies the atmosphere the show wants to create. The characters not only have to carry on the action, but feel and sing their anger, sorrow and happiness and project it in such a fashion that it does not disturb the flow of the situation. These elements were superbly achieved by the performers when I attended the show. Jean Valjean, played by David Fisher, projected his voice in such a strong, yet unassuring tone, during the "soliloquy" number, that really gave life and humanity to the character. Sarah Uriarte, who played: Eponine, can make even the hardest of hearts cry when she tells of her pain of the unrequited love of Marius during "On My Own." The feeling and emotion literally spills out into the crowd when Cosette, Marius and Eponine...