The set is a dark and foreboding place in 19th century France, sometimes nearly empty to isolate a poignant soloist (Eponine, Phoenix Best at this performance - heart rending) and sometimes full, as when the infamous barricade rolls in. Lighting was very dramatic, especially during the battle scenes.
Destiny and redemption and moral conundrums are presented with noble passion. Josh Davis’s Javert is a worthy adversary; Mary Kate Moore’s Fantine was wonderfully sad. Cosette (Jillian Butler) was the ideal heroine. Allison Quinn and Jimmy Smagula were delightfully greedy and devious as the comic-relief Thenardiers. All the performers were stellar but Nick Cartell led the constellation of stars as the fantastic conflicted hero, Jean Valjean. His “Bring Him Home” was transcendent. (UPDATE: I have been told, by "Fantine" herself, that on opening night, I saw Kelsey Denae as Fantine, and Erin Ramirez as Eponine.) Fantastic job by all.
The show is not short (three hours, which includes intermission) but you will enjoy every minute. It is a sung-through musical (no dialogue) with a complicated plot that is helpfully described on page 32 of the program. Plan to arrive early for parking/logistics reasons AND to read that synopsis, if this is your first time at Les Mis.
Tickets are almost sold out; you can see how many are left for each performance through Sunday at https://www.whartoncenter.com