A shortened 'Les Miserables' still stands the test of time

"LES MISERABLES," national tour, through June 5, Capitol Theatre, (801-355-278); running time: three hours (one intermission)

Twenty-five years after Jean Valjean first stole a loaf of bread — getting him imprisoned for 19 years, resulting in a lifelong cat-and-mouse game with formidable Inspector Javert — the French are back.

The sweeping historical musical epic has been reimagined with new direction, new costumes and new sets.

Most notably, the turntable is gone. Cosette is now a blonde, and the show is fast.

Really fast.

The pacing for the 25th anniversary tour, running now at Capitol Theatre, is so brisk it is at times exhausting to consume. Producers have cut roughly 30 minutes from the original run time.

You'll notice a few abbreviated songs and altered lyrics, but mostly the show doesn't allow for much nuance.

It's hard to feel Valjean's immense gratitude to the Priest, or the all-encompassing first rush of love between Marius and Cosette, or the fierce inner turmoil of Javert as his sense of right and wrong collide, when the music is marching at such a clip the actors can hardly breathe, let alone get all those words out correctly.

The staging without the turntable works well, and I found I didn't miss the once-compelling device.

Only during the love montage is something lost. If you remember, the turntable used to rotate Cosette's fence back and forth revealing the lovers as they sang their portion of the duet. This version opts for more traditional staging.

This production uses the artwork of author Victor Hugo for the backdrops. The pieces are gorgeous and are a wonderful addition. As are the updated special effects — most notably the scene in the sewers.

The cast, for the most part, is solid across the board.

Ron Sharpe's Valjean has a nice strength in singing and presence, especially in his younger years, but he needs more vulnerability and softness toward the end.

Javert, played by Andrew Varela, is nicely refined and stoic.

Betsy Morgan is heartbreaking as Fantine, delivering a very believable "I Dreamed A Dream."

The students at the barricade, led by Jeremy Hays as Enjolras, are wonderful — strong and deliberate, producing a brilliant sound.

It is also nice to see Orem native Jenny Latimer, starring as the lovely and innocent Cosette, play to her hometown crowd, garnering plenty of applause.

"Les Miserables" stands the test of time. It continues to produce goose bumps, a tear or two, even a few laughs.

Tuesday night's opening crowd was enthusiastic, greeting the 25th anniversary cast with a standing ovation.

Sensitivity rating: Sexual innuendo, simulated sex, sexual talk, explosions, some strobe effects.

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