'Maximum sonic and emotional impact': What to know about 'Les Miserables' in OKC

Fans looking for an "I Dreamed a Dream" presentation of "Les Misérables” to bring home just what makes the historical epic one of the most popular musicals of all time can find what they're seeking in the national touring production now playing Oklahoma City.

OKC Broadway is hosting through Jan. 21 at the Civic Center the U.S. tour of "Les Misérables” as a special add-on title to its 2023-2024 six-show subscription season. “Les Miz,” as the show is affectionately known, previously played Oklahoma City as an add-on to OKC Broadway’s 2018-2019 season.

Directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, the tour, which relaunched in autumn 2022 after the COVID-19 shutdown, boasts an innovative production design, superlative pacing and an impeccable cast and orchestra joining forces to get the maximum sonic and emotional impact out of one of the most iconic scores in musical theater history.

What is 'Les Misérables' about?

Legendary producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh is again presenting Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's eight-time Tony-winning musical, which is one of the longest-running shows in the history of both Broadway and London’s West End.

The famed adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel is set in tumultuous 19th-century France, as Jean Valjean, aka Prisoner 24601 (Nick Cartell), is released from prison after serving 19 years of back-breaking slave labor for stealing a loaf of bread and subsequently trying to escape.

After receiving a profound act of mercy from the Bishop of Digne (Randy Jeter, making a big impression in a small role), Valjean decides to break his parole, change his identity and create a new life as an honest man. But he is constantly hunted by dogged police Inspector Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), who believes "once a thief, forever a thief."

After inadvertently contributing to her troubles, Valjean eventually comes to the aid of Fantine (Haley Dortch), a downtrodden single mother whose dire circumstances have forced her into prostitution. He agrees to protect and raise her daughter, Cosette, but he must first rescue the girl from the thieving innkeeper Thenardier and his wife (Matt Crowle and Victoria Huston-Elem).

Eventually, Valjean and Cosette (Delaney Guyer) cross paths with a group of young rebels led by Enjolras (Devin Archer). Among the ranks of the revolutionary students is Marius (Jake David Smith), who falls deeply in love with Cosette at the same time that Thenardier's daughter Eponine (Mya Rena Hunter) falls into unrequited love with him.

How does the U.S. tour of 'Les Misérables' showcase the musical's famous songs?

Seen by more than 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, the sung-through musical runs three hours including an intermission.

But the perfectly paced U.S. touring production doesn't feel overly long even as it follows a sprawling cast of characters through moments of searing injustice, profound tragedy and true love to a hopeful yet tear-jerking conclusion.

For a tale of oppressed and starving people, the "Les Misérables” score supplies a veritable cornucopia of iconic songs, including the rousing anthems "Do You Hear People Sing?" and "One Day More." Conducted by music director Will Curry, the superlative orchestra makes an indelible impression despite remaining hidden in the pit.

With his deep voice and arresting presence, Boyd is well-suited to playing the relentlessly self-righteous Javert, illuminating the stage with the solemn solo "Stars," while Smith brings palpable grief to the ode "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

The show's two power ballads get powerhouse performances: Dortch wrings every last bit of emotion out of Fantine's heartbreaking Act 1 lament "I Dreamed a Dream," while Hunter opens Act 2 by practically setting the stage ablaze with Eponine's torch song "On My Own."

As Little Cosette, Olivia Grace O'Sullivan gave a poignant reading of the longing lullaby "Castle on a Cloud" during the Jan. 16 OKC opening-night show, while fellow child performer Milo Maharlika brought plenty of spunk to the role of my favorite "Les Miz" character, the pint-sized revolutionary Gavroche, from the moment he was introduced in the grim number "Look Down."

As the underhanded inkeepers M. and Mme. Thenardier, Crowle and Huston-Elem prove a scene-stealing pair, providing love-to-hate-them comic relief on the bawdy numbers "Master of the House" and "Beggars at the Feast."

But no one outshines the show's star, Cartell, who has played Valjean for more than 1,000 performances on tour, including the epic 2018 OKC run. His mighty renditions of "Who Am I?" and "Bring Him Home" are worth catching "Les Miz" live while it's in OKC this time.

Why do OKC ticketholders need to get to 'Les Miz' early or miss the start of the show?

Although the musical was adapted into a star-studded Oscar-winning 2012 movie, nothing compares to the seeing the stage spectacle of "Les Miz" live.

Plus, this particular production veritably sweeps audiences away to 19th-century France with stunning period costumes, canny lighting by Paule Constable and striking set and image design by Matt Kinley, inspired by Hugo's paintings. High-resolution moving projections realized by Finn Ross and Fifty-Nine Projections help transport audiences from the dank sewers under Paris to a stately bridge over the Seine.

The prologue so intensely and inventively sets "Les Misérables” in motion that there is a 14-minute seating hold once the show starts. That means the theater doors are closed and no latecomers are allowed to enter until the first 14 minutes of the performance have elapsed.

Since you don't want to miss the beginning of this epic, arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime is as highly recommended as the production itself.

‘LES MISERABLES’

• When: Through Jan. 21.

• Where: Civic Center, 201 N Walker.

• Tickets: https://www.okcbroadway.com/lesmis.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'Les Miserables' returns to OKC: What to know about the musical smash