Tag Archives: Broadway in Cincinnati

Betsy Morgan as Fantine. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

LES MISERABLES presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through May 13. You can read the show description here.

A quick note: I did see the original tour twice at the Taft Theatre a quarter century ago. My memory is a bit fuzzy so I won’t get too specific about changes in the anniversary tour. 

Well, THAT would be the reason the TV version couldn’t hold my attention. Nothing compares to the power of the sound in a live performances of LES MISERABLES. And that is certainly what the orchestra and the large, talented ensemble delivers.

Musically and vocally it sounds fantastic. Every member of the ensemble was working  hard, offering great character work and vocals. The leads were strong performers as well. Personal favorites included Peter Lockyer as Jean Valjean (who’s BRING HIM HOME stopped the show), Betsy Morgan as Fantine, Max Quinlan (CCM MT ’10) as Marius and [confirming young actor’s name] as Gavroche.

The Company of the New 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Where the original tour relied mainly on a turn-table and pieces for the set, the anniversary tour features two large (and long)  multi-level trucks on each side of the stage and numerous other components that roll and fly in. You can’t help but wonder where they are storing it all off stage.

A major component to this set is the background projections used throughout the production. It is very successful when used to transition from scene to scene. Some of the changes from one scene into another are so subtle you don’t notice the process. Projection movement was used to great effect for the sewer scenes, but the street scene’s moving effect looked a little choppy. My guest reminded me that the original run used projections to display date and location changes, and she missed that information in this production.

The Company of the New 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Opening night did have a few hiccups. Nadine Malouf in the role of Eponine struggled with high notes in ON MY OWN (though the rest of the song and A LITTLE FALL OF RAIN were wonderful). Also a light at the audience right proscenium (usually used when there are sign-language interpreters) suddenly lit during a scene.

Overall, LES MISERABLES is a treat for the eyes and ears and a great reunion with some old friends. Fans and first-timers should find much to enjoy.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for LES MISERABLES.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through April 8. You can read the show description here.

Let’s be honest. This is a musical based on a 1960s sitcom based on a comic strip. If you have a problem with that, you probably want to stay home. If you embrace it for what it is, you’ll have a fun, light-hearted and laugh-filled time.

There are strong voices and characterizations across the board. Present are Addams family members Gomez (Douglas Sills), Morticia (CCM MT ’99 alum Sara Gettelfinger), Uncle Fester (Blake Hammond), Grandma (Pippa Peachthree), now 18 year-old Wednesday (Cortney W0lfson), Pugsley (Patrick D. Kennedy) and ever faithful butler Lurch (Tom Corbeil). Newcomers (or is that new victims) include Wednesday’s beau, Lucas (Brian Justin Crum) and his parents Alice (Victoria Huston-Elem on opening night) and Mal (Martin Vindnovic). The show also includes cameos by Thing and Cousin It.

Sara Gettelfinger as Morticia and Company in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

[A few fun facts: In the television series, Uncle Fester was Morticia’s brother, not Gomez’s. Also, Wednesday was the younger Addams sibling and Grandma was referred to as “Grandmama.”]

Visually the production values are very strong. The exterior of the Addams family home and the tree on the hill overlooking the city were highlights for me. The use of flys and a curtain that divided the stage into two play areas help keep the show flowing along. One- or two- too-many ballads in the second act did slow the pace down a bit.

The Ancestors of THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

I really enjoyed the ensemble that serve as the pantheon of Addams ancestors. Fun characters and great costumes. When they made their first entrance on stage, I immediately thought of the “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” ghosts, another childhood favorite. Also very clever was Morticia’s “Tango de Amor” dress. You’ll know why when you see it.

Douglas Sills (Gomez), Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday), Brian Justin Crum (Lucas Beineke) and Martin Vidnovic (Mal Beineke) in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

A favorite number in Act II was Uncle Fester’s “The Moon and Me.” The staging was very imaginative, employing some great theater magic. Also peppered throughout the show are some fun visual gags, theater nods and pop culture references for all ages. Grandma has one of my favorite zingers in the show.

I was surprised that a few staples from the series were missing: the doorbell, the harpsichord and Lurch’s “bell” followed by “You, rang.” All minor quibbles.

Is THE ADDAMS FAMILY family-friendly? To answer that, I’ll defer to Shannan Boyer of Family Friendly Cincinnati. She took her two young sons to the show, and you can read her thoughts here.

Overall, fans of the television series will enjoy an evening (or afternoon) of nostalgic fun from the current Broadway touring production. My guest and I had a blast and snapped along.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Patrick D. Kennedy (Pugsley), Pippa Pearthree (Grandma), Sara Gettelfinger (Morticia), Douglas Sills (Gomez), Tom Corbeil (Lurch), Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday) and Blake Hammond (Uncle Fester) in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.