Cameron Macintosh’s “Les Miserables,” easily the world’s No.1 and best-loved musical of all time, descended on Kennedy Center in Washinton D.C. this past Wednesday night, for a residency through July 11.
The show brought out the First Family and the Second Family, plus a contingent of cabinet members of Kennedy Center, not the usual dedicated arts-and-culture leaders.
There were shouts and boos, when President Donald Trump and wife Melania took their seats in the president box in the balcony. To challenge the negativity of the uncomfortable boos, there were chants of “USA! USA!” from the MAGA cheerleaders, even if this was not a rally.
Certainly, this was not the usual tone or turnout of a “Les Miz” evening. Then again, Kennedy Center is no longer quite the usual performing space anymore, since Trump named himself as the board chair, who raised the temperature of usual attendees of productions of theatrical fans, and the president fired everyone on the existing board to hand-pick his choice of supporters.
According to media reports, about a dozen “Les Miz” cast members declined to show up for work – they didn’t like the politics now at Kennedy – which prompted Richard Grenell, president of the center, to call “out” and ID the holdouts to prevent them from future stage jobs.
Ironically, the production is about heroes and villains, truths and lies, rights and wrongs, war and peace, and much more, based on the epic Victor Hugo novel, with music by Claude-Michel Shoenberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
It’s the kind of powerhouse shows patrons adore, but will it elevate Kennedy Center to its former glory days? Subscriptions are a third down since the Trump takeover and the ouster of a savvy board. When No 47 took over, he announced he would not just clean house but eradicate and eliminate drag shows and sidestep drag queens and that brand of actors and themes. That would mean that legit shows like “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Kinky Books” and perhaps even “Cabaret” – box office gold in their prime – might not earn the presidential seal of approval at Kennedy.
Trump, who apparently had not seen “Les Miserables” earlier, was asked if he identified more with the protagonist (Jean Valjean) or the antagonist (Inspector Javert), and he couldn’t say one or the other. Smart move; if you don’t know, being mum is best.
Meanwhile, VP J.D. Vance joked on the online X that he had no idea what the musical was about. Sometimes, cluelessness works, too…
‘Princess and the Iso Peanut’ next at MVT
Manoa Valley Theatre will revive Lisa Matsumoto’s and Roslyn Catracchia’s“The Princess and the Iso Peanut,” opening June 19 for a run through July 6.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays. Matinee shows will be at 2 p.m. June 21, 28 and July 5.
The pidgin English romp, part of the legacy of Matsumoto, is an adaptation of the fairytale classic, “The Princess and the Pea,” where a princess falls in love with a local Japanese prince in the kingdom of Allyria. The book is by the late playwright, who partnered with Catrachiia, who created the music.
Patrich Fujioka is director, Ka‘ohi Yojo Daniels and Ahnya Chang are choreographers, MJ Matsushita is set designer and scenic artist, Annie Yoshida is prop designer, Chris Gouveia is lighting designer and master electrician, Mattea Mazzella is sound designer, Mei Nakano is costume designer, and Ponce de Leon is hair and makeup designer.
The bountiful cast features Devon Nekoba as King Arthur, Kana Tyler as Queen Yumiko, Seanalei Nishimoto as Royal Sing/Lumpia/Guinevere, Brandee Doi as Royal Singer/Nisan, Chaslyn Kuiee as Royal Singer/Tink She Baddes, Julie Okumura as Queen Alyssa/Tink She Mo Bad, Chad Okumura as King Alfred/SanSan, Mark Ikenaga as Nathan, Austin Ajimura as Prince Chah Ming Won, Jantzen Shinmoto as Prince Yoshi, Kevin Molina as Russell, Allan Okubo as Uncle Masa, Nolan Hong as King Yuichi, Casey Park as Queen Evelyn/Trad Singer/Bagaong, Jacob Edwards as King Rup/Alexander/Navy Cap, Jill Chung as Janice/Titaele.
Also, Caitlin Bright as Queen Alana, Relle Reavis as Princess Alexis, Carley Park as Trad Singer/Tink She Bad, Mana Franquez as Trad Singer/Ho Stuck Up, Keela Chung as Ichisan, Stephanie Sanchez as Isabel, Aya Fujioka as Prin Jeannette/ Cassie/Habuteru, Giada da Silva as Princess Jacquelyn/Adobo, Kamalani Hanuna-Siqueira as High Makamakapiapia, Andrew Baker as Prince Phillip/One-Eyed Jack, Ryan Shinmoto as Sailor 1, Trent Yamagata as Sailor 2, Asaeli Hikila as Peter the Pirate, Jay Laeno as Tiny, Cayden Park as Cinderella/Eteokalani, Easton Ikenaga as Lancelot, Swings/Ensemble are Aaliyah Thomas and Annie Yoshida.
Tickets are $25 to $47, at www.manoavalleytheatre.com or (808) 988-6131…
And that’s Show Biz…