Tri Valley Les Miserables

Tri Valley Rep brings a 

CASTLE ON A CLOUD - 

to the Epic “Les Miserable”

The iconic musical - Les Miserables - was one of the first British pop opera’ that opened in the West End 30 years ago in 1985 to negative reviews. But the huge box office changed the course for the creative team and it is now one of the longest running musicals.  Eight TONYS and a film version in 2012 - the story of this waif and her adopted dad spans 40 years in the original Victor Hugo novel. That same timeline is created in the stage version, and its not easy to capture in under 3 hours.

I saw the first national tour in 1988 - and it has remained one of my favorite musicals. My notes on the Tri Valley production won’t include much about the story but its a classic tale that I think anyone reading this already understands.

Tri Valleys  “Les Mis” worked hard to live up to the legacy. A very creative effort with a 40 + cast of talented bay area performers. Opening night had some tech issues that will surely work themselves out - This production is a must see with some amazing performances - including Katherine Dela Cruz show stopping emotion of  ON MY OWN as Eponine.

Mischa Stephens a vet in the role of Valjean - takes a bit to warm up in the role - but you can tell he has played the man in the past and by the second act he has the audience in tears for BRING HIM HOME.  Matthew Leibowitz who plays the top cop Javert, brings passion to SORLILOGUY.  The talented Kristen Vellinger as the older Cosette is a perfect match for Nikita Burshteyn as Marius and his powerful EMPTY CHAIRS AND EMPTY TABLES.  Also memorable is DC Scarpelli as the innkeeper Thenardier, although MASTER OF THE HOUSE missed a beat - he brought it in the second act with BEGGARS AT THE FEAST.

On the topic of miss beats for this production - there is very little to complain about - Director Kendall Tieck keeps his cast moving. But at times the show slows down or gets stuck in choir mode - The Choreographer Chris Olson, kept the company limited in movement for some of the big numbers including the Inn Keeper scene, RED AND BLACK  and the marching for ONE DAY MORE seemed stilted. But still brought the house to cheers at the end of the 1st act.

The excellent orchestration under the direction of Mark Aubel,  and smart set designed by Martin Flynn moved well from scene to century as the musical rolls through 40 years in under 3 hours.

The vocal performances are surprisingly strong. In regional theater productions you depend on the leads to be the key vocalist, but this company the chorus are fantastic across the board, powerhousing  ONE DAY MORE and DAYS GONE BY.

Tri Valleys production is very well crafted and I would suggest you grab your tickets soon. This Le Mis is a CASTLE ON A CLOUD.

LES MISERABLES'

By Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer, presented by Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre

Through: Jan. 31 Where: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street, Livermore

Running time: 3 hours 15 minutes, one intermission

Tickets: $20-$39; 925-373-6800, www.trivalleyrep.org

CUSTOM MADE THEATRE - SARAH RUHL - SERIES OF PLAYS

A COWBOY - STEALS YOUR HEART, 

AT CUSTOM MADE WINTER SERIES

“Late: A Cowboy Song” an early work by Sarah Ruhl, known for “The Vibrator Play” and “In the Next Room” is one of the country’s top playwrights. It’s a poetic 90 min three-character gender bending story about a couple, more so about the women. The wife, lost and lonely, is drawn toward a cowboy on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, who happens to also be women.

The Custom Made Theatre production is very well produced an acted.  The cowgirl, croons tunes to the moon while missing her guitar (my only issue with the production) Laura Preston, as Red, creates a county charm, and bluesy voice of crooning.

Brian Martin as the husband, the controlling threatened male , and Mary the wife played by Maria Leigh discovers herself through her friendship with Red.  The young couple have been friends since second grade, and they’re still childlike with each other.  Director Ariel Craft keeps the first act moving and her actors almost in a ballet around the small set,  pushing her actors away from childhood to the adults they become - Ruhls intention.

Brian Martin is well cast as the sometimes childish roller coaster husband. He has great passion in the role to control his wife.  Maria Leigh as his wife is also excellent and well teamed with Red,  wonderfully played by  Laura Preston.  The speed and romp of the young couple in the first act reminds me of a fine ballet as they twist around the small set - all so well directed by Ariel Craft.

Ruhl gives soul to Red,  dressed in cowboy colors and played well by Preston.  Leighs’ performance as Mary is excellent, her ups and downs fit Ruhl’s guest for gender questions.  

As always Ruhl has this topic cornered  - like a poetic muse and the class to add a young at heart adventure discovering who we are - no matter what sex.

Late: A Cowboy Song.  by Sarah Ruhl’s. Directed by Ariel Craft. Runs 90 minutes no act break - Jan. 10-Feb. 1, Thurs-Sat 8:00 pm; Sun 7:00.  Tickets $20-50 with discounts for Students, Seniors. Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough Street, San Francisco. (415) 798-CMTC, www.custommade.org