Uptown Music Theater’s ‘Les Misérables’ Will Give You Chills

Les Misérables is a classic musical about love, redemption, passion, and sacrifice. Currently playing at the Uptown Music Theater Highland Park, this powerful production is a must-see!

I am a fan of musicals. Large or small, big budget or little, I am here for them because I find them hugely entertaining. But certain shows stand out even more because of what they have inspired and done for the foundation of the theatre world. Les Misérables is one of those shows.

One of the benefits of doing a famous show like this is that it is a known entity with its own inherent draw and existing audience. A major negative, though, is that you truly have to do it justice since everyone is coming in with their own expectations. Well, let me tell you, Uptown Music Theater Highland Park created a majestic production.

Les Misérables – which first launched on Broadway in 1987 and went on to win 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical – is the musical retelling of Victor Hugo’s classic book of the same name. Following the life of protagonist Jean Valjean, a lawbreaker who did 19 years of hard labor for having stolen a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child, we begin by seeing the world through his eyes.

On the day that Jean Valjean is released from jail, he is handed his papers by Inspector Javert. Javert makes clear that just because Valjean is being released doesn’t mean that he is free. He will be on parole, everyone will know that he is a criminal, and he will have to continue to report throughout his life.

Out of desperation and feeling that the world will never treat him fairly, Jean Valjean steals silver from a kind and unassuming bishop who has given him food and shelter for the night. Once caught, the bishop gifts Valjean the matching silver candlesticks to his stolen goods and claims his life for God. From this day forward, and using the money from the silver, Jean Valjean is to do good for his fellow man.

Years later, now the owner of a business, the mayor of the town, and using the name Monsieur Madeleine, we meet Jean Valjean again. He has never checked in for parole and Javert is hunting him. Valjean soon meets a plant worker-turned-prostitute named Fantine who only wants to provide for her daughter, Cosette, who lives with the innkeeper Thénardier and his wife. Fantine sends them money and she is now dying. Jean Valjean promises to care for Cosette for the rest of his life.

Making himself known to Javert to save an innocent man’s life, Jean Valjean escapes to get Cosette, and continues to go on the run with her. He raises her in luxury, they do good deeds for the poor, and, in time, she forgets her awful childhood. In a meet-cute on the street, Cosette and a boy named Marius (who is involved in the Paris Uprising of 1832 with his friends) eye each other and create a hopeful bond that propels the rest of the story forward.

You don’t see Les Misérables performed very often outside of the touring Broadway circuit. Notably, renowned producer Cameron Mackintosh personally granted exceptional rights to Uptown Music Theater Highland Park and a portion of the proceeds from this production will benefit the Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund.

With a 44-person cast and 21-piece orchestra, this new production of Les Misérables is incredibly impressive and comparable to something you’d see on the Broadway stage. The talent is spectacular, the score is played powerfully, and the sets, lighting, and costumes are quality additions.

Led by a heartfelt and passionate Wesly Anthony Clergé as Jean Valjean, the dynamic ensemble fell into place flawlessly. And while I could talk at length about every performer, there were a few that I feel the need to mention. In addition to Mr. Clergé (whose performance of the quintessential Les Mis song “Bring Him Home” brought about deafening applause), Justine Cameron’s Fantine was loving and heart-wrenching (with a beautiful rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream”) and Jake Ziman’s Marius was passionate and hilarious (with a pained “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables”). I am not used to finding humor in Les Mis beyond the bawdiness of the Thénardiers (a very funny Aaron Mann and Erin Kelley), so Mr. Ziman’s range on Marius was a breath of fresh air.

When I see a musical, I subconsciously look for the moments that give me goosebumps. It can happen multiple times or none at all, but when it does happen, it is a signal to me that I am watching a powerful piece of work. I got the chills at least five times in this production and cried once. For the record, I know every word of Les Mis, so the fact that this performance struck me so deeply feels significant.

This production does contain gunshots, but they are very quiet and will not shock your system. There is also a suicide and multiple other deaths, but nothing is overly graphic. This show is appropriate for anyone 10 years old+.

The Uptown Music Theater Highland Park’s new production of Les Misérables is not to be missed. Whether it is a favorite of yours or a show you’ve been meaning to watch, this is the production to make time for. You will be so glad that you did.

Les Misérables runs for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Uptown Music Theater Highland Park: Les Misérables – Les Misérables is playing at the new Deerfield Performing Arts Center through 8/11/24. Tickets can be purchased on the Uptown Music Theater Highland Park website. The Deerfield Performing Arts Center is located at 1959 Waukegan Rd in Deerfield, Il.