Vive la national tour of ‘Les Misérables’ at Playhouse Square

Bob Abelman

columnists@cjn.org

“Les Misérables” – the epic musical based on Victor Hugo’s novel about the Paris Uprising of 1823 – has been running in London for 33 years. It enjoyed 8,202 performances during its Broadway premiere and has been seen by over 70 million people in productions in 44 countries. The 2012 star-studded film version of this musical earned an extraordinary $442,169,052 worldwide.

If there is anyone who has not yet heard the people sing, singing the song of angry men, rest assured that the touring production currently taking up residency at Playhouse Square is as good as it gets. And frequent fliers, who belt “24601” in the shower and attended the 2011 and 2013 tours when they swept through Cleveland, will not be disappointed.

“Les Mis” begins in 1815 with Frenchman Jean Valjean being released from a chain gang, where he has spent the past 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Seeking spiritual redemption, he changes his name, becomes a wealthy business owner and mayor of a town, and raises the young daughter of a fired employee, Fantine, who died after becoming a prostitute out of desperation.

Years later, the country is in a state of revolution and Valjean and his daughter Cosette’s fates become intertwined with the young students leading the rebellion. All the while, Valjean is hunted by the obsessive and self-righteous Inspector Javert.

A 16-piece orchestra under Brian Eads’ supervision and a sizable ensemble who seem to understand the collective power of their voices, as directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, fill the Connor Palace Theatre with Claude-Michel Schönberg’s operatic music and Herbert Kretzmer’s extraordinary lyrics. All this

Touring ‘Les Misérables’ at Playhouse Square

WHERE: Connor Palace Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

WHEN: Through Nov. 18

TICKETS & INFO: $39-$149, call 216241-6000 or visit playhousesquare.com is complemented with producer Cameron Mackintosh’s emotionally devastating storytelling.

This production is blessed with Nick Cartell as Valjean, whose gorgeous interpretation of “Bring Him Home” from the barricades – one of many money songs that keep audiences coming back time and time again – captures the performer’s remarkable ability to balance theatricality with authenticity.

Javert must be Valjean’s equal, physically and vocally, in order for the drama between them to be realistic and sustainable. Josh Davis nearly bests Cartell in both regards and his rendition of “Stars” and the character’s suicidal “Soliloquy” nearly steal the show.

Jillian Butler as Cosette, Joshua Grosso as Cosette’s romantic love interest, Marius, Matt Shingledecker as Enjolras, Paige Smallwood as Eponine, and Mary Kate

YARD Projects host Israeli artist Nov. 10

Gadi Zamir, an Israeli-born and Cleveland-based artist and funder of Negative Space Gallery, will hold an artist presentation from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 10 at Negative Space Gallery, 1541 E. 38th St. in Cleveland.

The presentation is part of YARDS Project’s Art-Ventures program. Coffee, bagels and doughnuts will be served.

For more information, visit the Facebook event at bit.ly/2DnL1fE.

Concert at Beachwood Community Center Nov. 11

Pianist Cliff Habian will perform a concert from 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd. in Beachwood. Habian, an international recording artist, will feature Latin, jazz and classical music.

The concert is free and open to the community. It’s sponsored by the Beachwood Arts Council.

For more information, call 216-595-3400 or visit bit.ly/2CUWbYc.

Yom Hashoah contest seeks submissions

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Kol Israel Foundation are accepting entries for the 2019 Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah Creative Arts Contest. Cleveland area middle school and high school writers and artists are eligible.

The theme of the contest is “What Happened After,” and depicts the time after the Holocaust when survivors took a new path toward rebuilding their lives. Essays and works of art will be judged on the interpretation of the theme. Cash prizes up to $2,500 may be awarded. Winners and their schools will be recognized at the Yom Hashoah commemoration on May 1, 2019 at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

Moore as Fantine – whose rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” is the best I’ve ever heard – give passionate performances with solid vocals that are consistently captivating.

J. Anthony Crane as Thenardier and Allison Guinn as Madame Thenardier offer darker-than-usual portrayals despite their comedic antics, which adds an unexpected turn and actually works quite well.

Since the show’s 25th Anniversary tour, the glorious illusion of movement once produced by actors dramatically marching in place on a rotating turntable has been replaced by actors dramatically marching in place in front of rear projections of shifting images inspired by Hugo’s paintings.

The animation gives additional depth to the action, which is effective, though it does offer too much contrast to the many moments in the production where projections are not employed.

Still, this is a lovely production of “Les Misérables.” The men are still angry. They are still singing. And hearing them for the first time or once again will most certainly be memorable.

Bob Abelman covers professional theater and cultural arts for the Cleveland Jewish News. Follow Bob at Facebook.com/BobAbelman3 or visit cjn.org/Abelman. 2018 Ohio Media Editors best columnist.

The deadline for entries is Feb. 8, 2019.

For more information and entry forms, visit bit.ly/2F42mvo or contact Debbie Klein at dklein@jcfcleve.org or 216-593-2834.

CPH receives $2 million grant to expand CARE program

Cleveland Play House received a $2 million grant to help expand its Compassionate Arts Remaking Education program.

CPH is partnering with the Cleveland Municipal School District to add an additional six teachers and to expand to 10 schools over the next four years. This will extend CARE to more than 4,100 students.

The grant was awarded through the Assistance for Arts Education Development and Dissemination Grants Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

CPH was one of 22 organizations that received grants.