I promised I'd finish my review/commentary of Les Miz and it's talented cast... so I better get to it (almost a week later)
Ryan McAlexander (Chain Gang Convict, Sailor, Courfeyrac): Ryan simply glows with God's love... he lights up a room with his smile. Plus, he has a powerful voice and knows how to use it.
Hans Decker (Chain Gang Convict, Grantaire): "Hans #1" his gymnast background had me impressed night after night, as he would die in a position no one should ever have to maintain for longer than 10 seconds. It's been really fun to see him open up and actually interact with a whole new group of people.
Daniel Armerding (Chain Gang Convict, Thernardier): "Dabiel" is such a constant kick in the pants. We love him dear! He really stepped up to the part and threw himself into it whole-heartedly (what less could you expect?) Lucky boy got to diversify with 5 leading ladies... yet he maintained an awesome performance level every evening.
Chris Meyer (Chain Gang Convict, Jean Valjean): my new idol... (not seriously, God is numero uno for me) Amidst vocal strain, tech issues, and pure exhaustion this boy put every ounce of his being into his performances. As Carol noted, "He didn't sing to sound pretty, he actually felt was he was singing..."
Plus, he put up with the beard and it's sticky residue.
Jeff Kline (Chain Gang Convict, Marius): Wow, Jeff really impressed me. Little did I know he had all that built up inside him. He may have wanted to tote a gun around, but he sure can pull off the love-struck romantic stuff.
Jimmie Oates (Guard, Sailor, Montparnasse): *excited* Jimmy! From back in the day of Nela's softball playing, Jimmy was always around (watching his own sister). he was a little bugger back then, but he's growing up. From his gruff guard voice... to post-show antics, he's a cool kid!
Alex Lowzowski (Guard, Pimp): digging the pimp hat Alex, and the purple...
Hans Severinsen (Javert): Meg certainly twisted my perspective, but he really does stand out onstage. Plus he seems to have a wonderful heart and integrity when it comes to his fellow actors and friends. Unfortunately he underestimated the upper arm strength of Hans #1, thus earning him the title of "Hans #2"
Matt Kirby (Farmer, Fauchelevant, Army Officer): another sprout on its way... I remember this little guy from Children Of Eden.
Teddy Meyer (Laborer, Lesgles): We all know I've been the president of Teddy's fan-club since Beauty & The Beast (I think Alicia is VP). Still capturing my heart, I can't help but see visions of myself onstage as Gephetto, as he takes the stage with all his enthusiasm.
Joe Fisher (The Bishop of Digne, Prouvaire): what a beautiful voice! Stig did a perfect match for the heart of the bishop... sweet, soft, full of compassion, and sincere are just a small sample of the impressions I get from his solos.
Tyson Kingrey (Factory Foreman, Brujon): Ty mowed my parent's lawn... aka Hannah's little brother, he pulled off a very gruff character that represents nothing in his own personality.
Sammy Schend (Factory Worker, Madame Thernardier): one of Danny's wives that left me in stitches.
Hannah Mason (Factory Worker, Feuilly): *sigh* my Hannah... beauty in every sense of the word, she holds her head high and gives it her all no matter what part she's playing.
Lisa Page (Factory Worker, Madame Thernardier): wife #1 (as in the first), whom I don't know at all personally.
Melissa Pappas (Factory Worker, Madame Thernardier): the last wife... a true character...
Lauren Emmerson (Factory Worker, Madame Thernardier): bureaucratic cast-party decisions aside, she made a great wife (one you could hear rather clearly) for my Danny-Boy
Sonja Decker (Fantine): The Deckers do it again! This young lady is simply marvelous onstage. Her innocence and strength shine from beginning to end. She tugged at my heart over and over...
Laura Schaefer (Prostitute): another one of those "I know your elder siblings" kids. Laura was also in COE. Hers is yet another voice that wooed me o'er and o'er. The last Friday she was dreadfully hoarse, and another stepped in for her solos to my dismay.
Amanda Rickenbach (Prostitute, Madame Thernardier): one of my favorite of the many wives, she's simply a kick on and off the stage. Plus, the girl can (and does) sing in character.
Emma Kingrey (Nurse, Ensemble): way to waltz, woman!
Brittany Harris (Nurse): her face peeking out of the habit gets me everytime... such a site to see
Janet Avila (Young Cosette): utterly amazing, I would have given my left foot to be on a stage in a role of that caliber at her age. Yet, there she was, humble and as studious as ever. (She spent long nights after shows and/or rehearsals staying up doing homework.)
Jolene Johnson (Young Eponine): still sporting the curls of The Most Happy Fella, she is a darling little girl.
Kristoff Decker (Gavroche): [note to self: start another fan-club] even in his background roles I got giddy at the site of him. Boy could die, fight, sing, and sport... such a kick!
May Winner (Eponine): simply known as Ashley's friend at first, I soon got to see May not only as a great actress... but as a lovely young woman who reminds me of myself at that age. I would love to get to know her better and hear her heart.
Liz Ghiz (Cosette): all arch-enemy/antithesis stuff set aside, she did her job well. Even amidst a sudden onset of sickness for closing night, she remained graceful under duress whilst still onstage. My heart went out for her hearing her struggle, knowing she had done so well every other night.
Kelsey Brauer (Combfrerre): another one with a permeating smile
Sarah Nuss (Old Woman, Ensemble): Little Miss Nuss, playing an old lady? You'd be surprised.
Corinne Oates (Turning Solo, Ensemble): only girl I saw who didn't need a mic. You go girl!
Jennifer Kubus (Turning Solo, Ensemble): everyone's growing up on me! She's a faithful friend of the arts that will be sorely missed after graduation.
Tayler Krummel (Ensemble): Krum's daughter... also sprouting like there's no tomorrow.
Cori Nuss (Ensemble): Elder Miss Nuss, perfectly poised as a factory worker and more.
Sadie Masek (Ensemble): Kat's daughter... who parentally had quite the description of me for her mother...
Rebecca House (Ensemble): one more vcf kid to add to the bunch.
Amy Roberts (Ensemble): makes a hilarious drunk... I often had to remember to focus on the main actors as she was shloshing about!