'Les Miz' is Broadway's equal

LES MISERABLES, Pioneer Theatre Company, Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, through June 30 (581-6961). Running time: 3 hours, 10 minutes (one intermission).

It's been four years since the national touring production of Boublil and Schonberg's "Les Miserables" made the last of its eight stops in Utah.

So it's not surprising that dedicated fans of the epic musical, based on Victor Hugo's monumental novel, have been storming Pioneer Theatre Company's box office in search of tickets to the country's first regional professional production of "Les Miz." And the ones who do get tickets won't be disappointed. (It has just been extended again with eight additional performances the week of June 25-30.)

Deftly directed by PTC Artistic Director Charles Morey, with staging by choreographer Karen Azenberg, this is not an exact replica of the Broadway version — and it doesn't need to be.

Virtually all of Claude-Michel Schonberg's masterful, operatic score and Herbert Kretzmer's English lyrics (translated from Alain Boublil's original French libretto) are intact. And they're performed by a cast of remarkably accomplished singers and actors — notably William Solo as Jean Valjean and Merwin Foard as Inspector Javert, roles both men played previously on Broadway.

Unlike many Broadway musicals, you don't leave "Les Miserables" singing the scenery. Nevertheless, George Maxwell's scenery is amazing, complete with a large, revolving platform to expedite smooth scene changes, and the student rebels' barricade is awesome, but "Les Miz" is not just about the scenery.

It's a powerful, compelling tale of love, revenge and spiritual redemption.

In addition to Solo and Foard, the entire cast is solid.

Max Robinson really delivers as innkeeper Thenardier, the outrageous "master of the house," with Adinah Alexander matching him every step of the way as his wife.

Gregg Goodbrod (the Beast in PTC's past two Christmas productions of "Beauty and the Beast") finally gets a role where audiences can enjoy his "matinee idol" looks and talent as Marius, who falls helplessly in love with Cosette, Jean Valjean's adopted ward, beautifully played by Trista Moldovan.

Other noteworthy performances come from Kelly McCormick as Cosette's mother, Fantine, forced into prostitution (as one of the saucy "Lovely Ladies"), Kirsten Wyatt as the ill-fated Eponine, Michael Halling as heroic Enjolras, a role he previously played on tour, and Ethan Swanson as feisty little Gavroche, with Kenzie Stinger as Young Cosette and Alisha Watkins as Young Eponine.

It's no geographic fluke that Pioneer Memorial Theatre is located at the top of Salt Lake City's Broadway (300 South). "Les Miz" proves once again that PTC consistently delivers Broadway caliber productions.

From the depressing chain gangs of Toulon in 1815 to the epilogue nearly 20 years later when the dying Valjean declares that "to love another person is to see the face of God," this landmark production resonates with a powerful message of spiritual grace conquering hate.

Sensitivity rating: Some playful bawdiness and staged violence, but it's OK for audiences 10 and older.

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E-mail: ivan@desnews.com