‘Les Misérables’ Review: Breathtaking Production Dazzles L.A. With Powerhouse Ensemble

variety.com:

Katcy Stephan Cameron Mackintosh’s much-loved production of Boublil and Schönberg’s “Les Misérables” has descended upon L.A., giving Angelenos their chance to hear the people sing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

Purists won’t find any holes to poke in this air-tight national tour, which demonstrates a clear reverence for the beloved show’s storied history while delivering stunning, modern visuals and breathing new life into numbers like “A Heart Full of Love” with a healthy injection of humor.

At the show’s core is a grounded turn from Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean, who seeks redemption after serving a 19-year prison sentence for stealing a loaf of bread.

It’s not Cartell’s first time playing Prisoner 24601, and it shows — the tenor effortlessly shows off his thundering chest voice in the musical’s first act before transitioning to a bright falsetto as Valjean softens in a show-stopping rendition of “Bring Him Home.” Valjean’s scenes with Javert, expertly played by Preston Truman Boyd, are among the most compelling moments in the production, with aching desperation from both men driving each confrontation further until the rivalry hits its boiling point in a devastating finale.