GSP Student Life Club

By Eric Shwartz.

Having seen the original Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg production twice and this production on a previous occasion, I knew what to expect as I sat in the mezzanine of the Broadhurst Theatre for an evening performance of the Les Miserables revival. I was eager to experience the revival for a second time for one simple reason: Lea Salonga’s return to Broadway! Salonga came on to the international scene when she won the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her portrayal of Kim in Boublil and Schonberg’s Miss Saigon. I am happy to report that she does not disappoint in her recent return!

Les Miserables is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. This complex epic weaves several storylines into one grandiose operetta. The escaped convict Jean Valjean strives to start a new life under a new identity while the righteous police inspector Javert peruses him. Fantine, the mother of the illegitimate Cosette, is forced to prostitute herself to support her daughter. Marius falls in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter Cosette while Eponine, the young daughter of the Thénardiers, is obsessed with Marius. The Thénardiers are always looking to exploit others with their devious shenanigans. All of these subplots play under that of Enjolras and his fellow students who are fighting for freedom for the oppressed lower class of France.

Alexander Gemignani plays a very serviceable Valjean which blossoms in the second act. Although he is the youngest actor to ever play this coveted role, he excels while portraying Valjean in later years. The very talented Norm Lewis is horribly miscast as inspector Javert; he is stiff throughout most of the show, although he does make strives later in the second act. Lea Salonga shines as Fantine, replacing the very controversial Daphne Rubin-Vega. Her “I Dreamed a Dream” received the loudest ovation of the evening. Perhaps the most notable of all the performers is Celia Keenan-Bolger as the unfortunate Eponine. She has truly taken an innovative approach to the role by showing the driving obsession behind her character.

Aside from this “multiethnic” cast (the producers of the show have made a huge fuss over this point), the revival of is essentially a restaging of the original which closed in 2003, only three years prior to the opening of this production. There have been very minimal alterations to set, lighting, and costume design, mostly for the best. The only change that may disappointment those that love the show are the scaled back orchestrations. Still, those who failed to see the musical during its initial sixteen year run should definitely catch this “limited engagement” (as expected, the producers have extended their initial run as will most likely extend again). For those who have already seen the show during its original Broadway run, or one of the many national tours, I can only recommend visiting this revival for the performances of Lea Salonga and Celia Keenan-Bolger. Still, Les Miserables proved to be moving, rousing the members of the audience to their feet at the curtain call.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

Les Miserables is currently playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on 235 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue). The show runs 2 hours 55 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. $26.25 student rush seat, available at the box-office two hours prior to performances on Tuesday through Thursday evenings. When the show is sold out, standing room tickets are available on the day of the performance at the box office for $21.25 ($26.25 for Friday and Saturday evenings).

By Ellysheva C. Zeira

“‘Mix ups, mayhem and a gay wedding!’ Well of course the phrase gay wedding has a different meaning now.” The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical for people who understand and love musicals. This was also roughly the tagline for 42nd Street but this is far different from 42nd Street. Instead of going behind the scenes of a musical, it is more of a satirical view of old 20s musicals from the perspective of people who love them.

It is hilarious if you have seen, been in, or heard old musicals. It is witty and fun. The main premise of musical surrounds a man who is feeling “blue” so he puts on his favorite musical to make himself feel better and it unfolds in his one room apartment. He constantly talks with the audience about the musical, his life, and exterior knowledge (which is surprisingly not annoying).

The singing, dancing, plot, and acting are all typically 20s. If this is understood one can see how wonderful it is. The script is not supposed to be good, the lyrics are not supposed to be deep, the plot is campy; it was all about entertainment. It is exaggerated to get the laugh, to show that no matter how extraordinary a musical is it still has the ability to touch someone. The superior writing however does show itself through the Man in Chair (Bob Martin).

The lavish costumes and sets, which work in to the apartment, are all very visually pleasing. The cast was amazing, especially Sutton Foster, who is truly a crowd pleaser, and Bob Martin, who develops such a rounded character that one could believe that he actually exists. Although this stunning musical would be more appreciated by someone who knows about 20’s musical theater, any viewer can appreciate the entertainment factor if they keep in mind that this is sort of spoof on some of the ridiculous aspects of musical theater.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Click here for the official website.

By Nicholas M. Voelker

If you’re looking for a show that’s easy access and full of entertainment then Tarzan is exactly what you’re looking for! This Disney production is based on the classic tale of a boy orphaned on an island and adopted by a family of gorillas. When he meets his first humans his whole world is turned upside down.

Most of the original cast can still be found on Broadway including Josh Strickland (who you might remember from American Idol season 2) as Tarzan, NYU Alum Jenn Gambatese (TSA) as Jane Porter, Merle Dandridge as Kala, and Chester Gregory II as Terk. Gregory keeps the young crowd full of excitement by swinging through the audience and belting some impressive vocals while upside down.

But don’t think just because Tarzan is a Disney production that it’s for the younger crowd only. Josh Strickland boasts impressive vocals and joins the ranks of Frenchie Davis (currently starring in Rent), Diana DeGarmo(two time performer in Hairspray), and Jennifer Hudson (Oscar winner for Dreamgirls) of former American Idol’s to prove that not winning the show doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. Strickland and Dandridge shine in their duet of “You’ll Be in My Heart”, a recognizable song from the Disney movie, written like the rest of the musicals songs by Phil Collins. But the show is stolen by Jenn Gambatese as the nerdy and infatuated Jane. The audience is swept off their feet by her performances in “Waiting for This Moment” and “For the First Time” as well as tears of laughter with her quirky accent and facial expressions.

Tarzan is a musical for all ages that will leave you, if not chest pounding, toe tapping out of the theater. The Richard Rodgers Theater on 226 W 46th Street has a student rush, valid with a student I.D., tickets are sold for $20 2 hours performance (better to get there 3 hours before 3 ½ on weekends). Tickets are sold at a first come first served basis, and the closer to the front of the line you are the better the seat. So what are you waiting for, swing down to the Richard Rogers to see Tarzan today!

Rating 4 out of 5

By Nancy Bruckman

Do you remember being a little kid and wishing your next babysitter had a magic bag that contained everything from a lamp to a coat rack? Or one who would give you that “Spoonful of Sugar” when you were sick so your medicine wouldn’t taste so bad? If so, Mary Poppins is the musical for you. Mary Poppins opened last fall to raving reviews and is located at the New Amsterdam Theater on 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, Mary Poppins is the story of two spoiled children, Jane and Michael Banks, who drive off nanny after nanny until Mary Poppins, who is “practically perfect in every way,” arrives in town. Mary Poppins introduces the children to a world of imagination and instructs them on becoming better people.

Mary Poppins transports its audience to a whimsical world filled with color and excitement, fun and adventure. Classic songs from the original movie like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidotious” and “Step in Time” are show stoppers with brilliant choreography and new songs like “Treacle and Brimstone” and “Terror Terror” help the musical become more than just the stage version of a classic movie.

The set and special effects of Mary Poppins are nothing short of superb. The main set is a cut out version of the Bank’s Household, where new rooms on other levels of the house come into view as stairs to other floors are climbed. Statues and toys come to life in an instant, furniture appears underneath sheets and actors magically fly into the audience or dance upside down atop stage. Each of the cast members shine in their roles, especially Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee, as her Chimney Sweep friend Bert. The spectacle that is Mary Poppins entertains, enchants and engrosses its audience.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Check out the website.