Steadstyle Chicago
	February 2008 Theatre Review by Joe Stead
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Les Miserables Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** (Left) Leah Horowitz and John Cudia; (Right) Chris Peluso and Anne Letscher in The Marriott Theatre's production of "Les Miserables".  Photos by Michael Brosilow. Twenty years and several revolutions late, the musical blockbuster "Les Miserables" makes its long-awaited Chicagoland Regional Premiere at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.  Mega Producer Cameron Mackintosh is notoriously protective of his properties, which might explain why a lukewarm Broadway revival was allowed to open prior to the Marriott being granted the rights.  Still, Chicago area theatregoers should consider themselves mighty proud to have this venerable company in our midst, serving up intimate and revealing musical productions that often put the originals to shame.  Simply put, the Marriott "Miz" is "hold on to your seat" breathtaking.  Director Dominic Missimi and Musical Director Brad Haak deliver all of the dramatic and musical goods to create an awe-inspiring evening of musical theatre at its zenith. Unless you happen to have been living on another planet for the past two decades, chances are you have crossed paths with "Les Miz" in one of its many touring stops, or the PBS aired concert special.  Victor Hugo's sprawling novel takes place over thirty years as it follows escaped convict Jean Valjean's harrowing journey down that "never ending road to Calvary".  Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed a starving child, Valjean is pitted against the ruthless letter of the law, as represented by police Inspector Javert.  A life altering experience with a Bishop compels Valjean to turn his life around for the service of his fellow man, and we watch the saintly hero's rise from petty thief to factory owner, mayor, rebel and adopted parent with the relentless Javert snapping at his heels the whole way.  The ultimate message, "To love another person is to see the face of God." A certain amount of Divine inspiration and talent have assured this Marriott premiere to be a major event.  The casting is amazing, so much so that one almost expects Colm Wilkinson and Patti LuPone to drop in for cameo appearances.  Fresh off the starring role of "The Phantom of the Opera," which he headlined at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Broadway veteran John Cudia is a mesmerizing Jean Valjean.  His Christ-like visage, soaring tenor voice and serene stage presence are all ideally suited to this demanding assignment.  And Richard Todd Adams proves to be a remarkably dilligent and foreboding adversary, investing the hard-hearted cop Javert with a real sense of purpose and dignity.  His rendition of "Stars" is both beautiful and chilling. The Marriott's supporting cast is once again an embarrassment of riches.  Kathy Voytko (Fantine), Fred Inkley (The Bishop of Digne), Michael Accardo and Catherine Smitko (as the comical villains Thernardiers) and Patrick Cummings (Enjolras) are among the standouts in a cast of the finest Broadway and regional talent.  The only disappointments here are Chris Peluso's dweeby student Marius and Anne Letscher's shrill Eponine.  Conductor Patti Garwood's 11-piece orchestra is thrilling and gets the most out of every note of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's score.  It's every bit as good (and often better) than the original cast CD! Missimi and his ace production team (Set Designer Thomas M. Ryan, Lighting Designer Diane Ferry Williams, Costume Designer Nancy Missimi and Sound Designer Cecil Averett) have creatively solved all of the challenges this lavish spectacle posed for the Marriott's intimate arena stage.  It's so captivating you won't have time to miss the turntable and hydraulic barricade from the Broadway, London and touring productions.  And the Marriott's space provides the ideal way of getting up close and personal with musical classics we have loved and cherished.  "Les Miz" is the very best of the 1980's and early 90's British opera invasion of Broadway, and you're unlikely to find a better account of it than the Marriott. (Editor's Note: The original review incorrectly identified the actress playing Eponine.  It was not the writer's intent to comment negatively on the lovely and talented Leah Horowitz, who plays Cosette and not Eponine.  Mea Culpa!).  "Les Miserables" continues through May 11, 2008 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire.  The musical runs 2 hours 45 minutes with intermission.  Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $45, with student and senior discounts and dinner theatre packages available.  Call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriottheatre.com.     Marriott's 'Les Miz' a Must-See Review by Alan Bresloff If anyone has any doubts as to why Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is considered the "premium" regional theater, seeing their latest production will change their minds.  I was a bit apprehensive on how they could stage a major massive musical piece like "Les Miserables" on their small theater in the round stage.  Anyone who has seen this show knows that there is a massive set and a large cast, but director Dominic Missimi and his staff have absolutely defied all the naysayers with the most startling production that I have ever seen at this theater.  From start to finish, this production is "perfection" and every member of the opening night audience left the theater with high energy and waiting to tell their friends and family about this marvelous production.  Thomas M. Ryan has designed a working set that allows for great sight lines and yet we get all the feelings that the writers wanted (with a massive set).  Diane Ferry Williams' lighting is more than perfection as she achieves effects that one can only imagine and Nancy Missimi's costumes are, as always, perfect. This musical version of the story by Victor Hugo with book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michael Schoenberg and music by Shoenberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzner tells the story of a man who despite being imprisoned for a minor crime is a man of honor. It is full or romance and passion. It is the story of one man's fight for his honor as he is sought after by a police inspector and also depicts the battle in France against socialism during the 1830's. The cast assembled by The Marriott staff couldn't be any better. All of the voices are spectacular and John Cudia as Jean Valjean is amazing! This score calls for a strong Javert as well and Richard Todd Adams handles this role with greatness. The comic roles of the Innkeeper and his wife are deftly handled by Michael Accardo and Catherine Smitko (they do a rousing rendition of "Master of The House").  The other major players, Anne Letscher (Eponine), Leah Horowitz (Cosette), Chris Peluso (Marius), Kathy Voytko (Fantine) and young Jonah Rawitz (the adorable Gavroche) are all worthy of any stage on Broadway. Young Eponine is played by Arielle Leigh Dayan and young Cosette, Elianna Kate Schnittman (who does a wonderful "Castle on A Cloud"). I was very impressed with the way the Marriott handled the musical with a nice size orchastra conducted by Patti Garwood and the way some of the show's favorite songs were performed: "I Dreamed a Dream" (Kathy Voytko), "On My Own"  ( Anne Letscher), "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" (Chris Peluso), "Soliloquy"  (Richard Todd Adams) and absolutely everything that was done by John Cudia as Jean Valjean.  I had goosebumps when he sang " Bring Him Home". I honestly feel that this intimate production of a large scale Broadway (Tony Award winner) show is as good if not better than the original.  Being closer to the actors, one can feel that they are truly peeking in to the lives of others and not having to worry about the major scenery allows the actors a little more freedom.  If you have never been to the Marriott Theatre in Lincolshire, GO!  If you have been, go for this one!  This is truly a theatrical experience that you will remember for years to come.  The only downer to this production is that it will only be here thru May 11th (and from what I am told is pretty much sold out).  If you do not get out there to see this production...shame on you!