Victor Hugo’s classic tale set in 19th-century France became one of the most successful musicals ever written – a sweeping epic with music as grand as the story. It’s the tale of Jean Valjean, a man who has spent twenty years in a prison chain gang after stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s child. Life on parole is nearly as difficult, but when a kindly bishop gives him a second chance, Jean breaks his parole and becomes determined to make the most of his new life. It’s a life complicated when he inadvertently causes the young girl Cosette to be orphaned, and finds himself chased relentlessly by Inspector Javert who becomes obsessed with finding parole violator Jean Valjean.

The Production:

Director Stephen Knoll-Gentry has put together a brilliant production of this musical with careful attention paid to each movement by each cast member, a show that is never rushed through the dramatic and comedic moments, and actors who don’t just sing the songs but feel free be controlled more by their emotions than by the notes of music, all to excellent effect.

He’s put together a strong cast of some top youth talent from San Diego to Murrieta who meet together here in Fallbrook. Colin Arnold delivers a good, heartfelt, and reflective performance as Valjean. Sarah Slaven is a spirited Fantine, the mother of Cosette, who angrily spits in Valjean’s face when she blames him for looking the other way when she was fired from her job, and who touchingly captures the tragedy of her death. As an adult Cosette, Alexis Young is a compassionate hopeless romantic with a lovely voice, joined by the genuinely sincere Austin Wright as Marius. Their romance breaks the heart of Eponine, featuring Heather Banks completely smitten by Marius and devastated when she feels she’s On My Own, driving herself into a despairing frenzy before recovering, coming to terms with her fate.

Delivering the lighter notes are a terrific duo – Marshall Elstad and Caitlin Vecchione as sleazy but hilarious innkeepers Thenardier and his good lady. They milk Fantine’s death for all it’s worth when Valjean comes to take Young Cosette (Salima Gangani), with Caitlin crying to the music and massaging Valjean’s shoulders for more money, and they rock the house when joined by the ensemble for Master of the House. As the more somber villain Javert, Matthew Malecki lays down the law with stern self-righteousness and delivers a profound final soliloquy to the stars. Young Gavroche, played by talented Reed Lievers, is Javert’s foil, an eager young revolutionary with youthful confidence in his street smarts.

The ensemble makes the most of each scene, from the Lovely Ladies to the sad Turning by the townswomen picking up after the battle. And the young students led by a charismatic and devoted Enjolras (Quinton Walker) who leads his fellow students to the barricade, including his drunken friend who begins the final battle in safety below but comes out as the battle reaches fever pitch and he realizes that Enjolras will soon die for his cause, waving the red flag more for his friend than for the cause. One of the many great nuances added to this powerful production.

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts

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