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Les Mis in DC 
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Fresh Face
Fresh Face

Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:11 pm
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Post Les Mis in DC
Hello,

I will be traveling to see the show in DC. Does anyone know when there will be an alternate Valjean? I am assuming that Mark does not do all of the shows.

Thanks


Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:19 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
Hey, I'm seeing this production, too!

I'm guessing, though, we may not know till the day of. there probably is an u/s, I don't know who it is though.

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Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:10 am
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Fresh Face
Fresh Face

Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:11 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
Thanks. I think there are set times that Mark does the show. I don't know if he does the matinee or the evening shows on the weekends, or if there is one weekday where he will rest.

I saw Les Mis in Pittsburgh a few times, and the show was completely different with Randal Keith vs his understudy. I really want to see Mark perform.


Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:19 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
kozafluitmusique wrote:
Hey, I'm seeing this production, too!

I'm guessing, though, we may not know till the day of. there probably is an u/s, I don't know who it is though.


There is always an understudy. It's an Equity rule.

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Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:19 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
I hope you see Mark. I saw him in the original Broadway production as Valjean as well, and he was just as good as he was back in the day. There's a quality about his portrayal that makes you want to take his Valjean and give him a great, big hug!

I'd like to think I know why Clayton was let go, but I had read he was ill. Was that really the reason? General reaction to his Valjean ranged from OK to terrible, with more terrible reviews (mostly from audience commentary) than anyone leading a show should get. I personally really liked what I had heard. It's a real pity I won't likely ever get to see him.

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Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:17 pm
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Tony Winner
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Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2004 9:51 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
I didn't realize how much in the minority I was re: Lawrence Clayton, but I felt he brought a unique passion to the role that still managed to shine through despite the general "SHOUT every other LINE because EMOTION is HAPPENING" philosophy that seems to be the general edict from on high for the tour. I feel privileged to have seen him twice as Valjean at the Papermill, and I'm sorry he didn't last long enough in the show for you to see him at the LA leg. His raw and impassioned performance really was what colored my opinion of the tour to be a bit more favorable than yours; I doubt I would have walked out of the theatre smiling had he not been at the center of the show.


Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:51 pm
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Post Re: Les Mis in DC
A number of audience members from just about every city he appeared in had made nasty remarks about his performance. A good number of those mirrored the type of reaction Harmon's Eponine has gotten and is still getting. I'll elaborate in my review regarding Harmon.

As far as snooping around the internet reading God-knows how many reviews and opinions about the show--NEVER again. The impression I got from both negative and positive reviews was either it was crap or it dropped from heaven; extremes. Lukewarm ones were repetitive and had nothing useful to say. Unfortunately, I allowed them to collectively form an expectation in me that did not even remotely match the outcome, although I did get very restless during the second act and seriously questioned why it was more difficult to sit through that version. I have a theory that should be obvious, but I only hold back because I'm still skeptical that one device could make such a big difference that only I seem to notice, since everyone and their mama likens it to a religious experience.

But ya, I trust only my Les Mis peeps from now on *affectionately pets y'all on the noggin* and not the general complacent public or disgraceful critics (a good number of them had to include some sort of slam on the original or be disrespectful toward an original creative team member). Reviews both on this site and over at Abaisse, I found had more than several points I agree with, and even on the points I don't, there is substance in them that provides some rational explanation other than "well, it's LE MIZ!!!" Oh, brother. :roll: :roll: :roll:

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Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:08 pm
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