Les Misérables (Broadway Rose)

[July 2nd, 2008]

It seems like a terrible idea: Broadway Rose, Tigard’s accomplished but modestly funded summer musical theater company takes on Claude-Michel Schönberg’s record-smashing musical about an obscure uprising in 19th-century Paris, a show so enormous it requires a 24-foot revolving platform and dozens of towering mobile set pieces, has 40 named characters and runs over three hours. Yikes.

After last year’s wobbly but ebullient Singin’ in the Rain, I should know better than to doubt Artistic Director Sharon Maroney’s ambition. This production is an awesome display of the company’s (and Portland’s) potential. Of the 32 actors onstage, all but two hail from right here. The designers are all local. Only the director—Robert Hunt, who played Javert in the Broadway revival—is imported.

There’s enough that’s praiseworthy about this production to fill pages: Douglas Webster (Jean Valjean) sings with tremendous strength and passion; Leif Norby brings a tragic empathy to the role of Javert, saving the totalitarian policeman from being just a stern voice in a succession of ridiculous hats; the ensemble numbers are sharply directed, and the force of 32 voices in tight chorus is deeply affecting; Darius Pierce and Lori Paschall as the ghoulish Mr. and Mrs. Thénardier are grossly hilarious; Jeff Forbes outdoes himself with a gorgeous chiaroscuro lighting design that evokes Caravaggio.

The performance is not without rough spots. On opening night, several body mics were malfunctioning—a problem so commonplace I wonder why anyone bothers with the things. The 11-piece orchestra has its hands full with the epic score, but better an overworked band than a digital fabrication. Every squeak from the lone trumpet is a reminder of what a privilege it is to see this show live.

What the production lacks in polish it more than makes up for in passion. This is the sort of unforgettable evening of theater we’re lucky to experience once a season. Portland Center Stage has produced seven slick, expensive musicals in the past eight years, but they’ve lacked emotional depth. Not so here. With Les Mis, Broadway Rose is making a bold proclamation: Watch out, Oregon!