Les Misérables

WHYY/Newsworks.org/Howard Shapiro

“The stupendous version of Les Misérables … certifies the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival as one of the region’s major producers of musicals.”

“The festival’s show is powerful, and striking on Steve TenEyck’s impressive set pieces and in Lisa Zinni’s richly designed costumes. It’s so crisp in its sound design by Matthew Given and Ian P. Carr, you feel you could be up on stage a foot from the singers. And it’s interpreted with passion, by a collection of performers with perfect voices for their roles and a 15-piece orchestra led by Nathan Diehl.”

“…Staged with vision by the festival’s associate artistic director, Dennis Razze.”

“[Mike] Eldred [as Valjean] is passionate and nuanced, and delivers a gorgeous “Bring Him Home.”

“Javert, the heavy, is an intense Jeremiah James, who plays the role with a rich baritone, tall stature and tremendous force.”

Lehigh Valley Press/Paul Willistein

“[Dennis] Razze’s direction of PSF’s Les Misérables displays a musical theater master at the top of his form. It’s a masterpiece.

“Scenes flow seamlessly. The production is propulsive, relentless and moves briskly.”

“‘I Dreamed A Dream,’ becomes a showcase for Kate Fahrner, who sings with extraordinary sensitivity.”

“The spotlight number (‘A Heart Full of Love’) for Brad Greer (Marius) and Delaney Westfall (Cosette) provides outstanding solo and duet work.”

“Rachel Potter (Éponine) steals the show with her heartbreaking interpretation of ‘On My Own.’”

The Morning Call/Kathy Lauer-Williams

“Les Miserables is, without a doubt, the most ambitious and impressive musical Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has ever staged. The music is amazing, the acting satisfying and the staging seamless and cohesive.”

“The show is packed with top-notch performances by Broadway and recording artists who play the leads, as well as talented DeSales students and graduates who fill out the ensemble.”

“Mike Eldred is flawless as Jean Valjean.”

“Besides being a fabulous vocalist, [Jeremiah] James fully embodies the increasingly conflicted [Javert] and, by the end, his depiction of the tortured and broken character is the best I’ve seen.”

“Designer Steve TenEyck’s set evokes the disheveled and claustrophobic world of 19th century Paris, during the time of a student uprising against the government…. There are a lot of moving parts, and huge walls and two story sets are moved around the stage almost like a choreographed dance.”

“Jon Berry, who has a powerful voice, is outstanding as student leader Enjolras.”

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