Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Alain Boublil (Artist), Claude-Michel Schonberg (Artist), Frances Rufelle (Artist), Colm Wilkinson (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B000000OQI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,027 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After Les Misérables became a huge hit in London, it moved to Broadway, bringing along two stars from the London production, Colm Wilkinson as the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle as the despondent Eponine. Filling out this 1987 cast are Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers). Whether you prefer the London cast or this one just might depend on which one you heard first, though minor revisions to the show since its London debut make the Broadway version more familiar to current audiences. In fact, the 10th anniversary concert might have the best overall cast of the lot, while the three-disc symphonic recording is a must for completists.

Regardless of cast, Les Misérables has become a sensation. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score is filled with beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?"), and Victor Hugo's classic novel of a student uprising in early-19th-century France provides a compelling story line that continues to thrill audiences all over the world. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 239 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My thoughts, June 27, 2000

By	William C. Clark (Watertown, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Original London Cast and Original Broadway Cast recordings were the first English recordings of Les Misérables. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses. For instance:

The Conducting) LONDON is best. The conducting is slower in the London version. Some listeners think that this sacrifices dramatic tension, but the slower speed brings out a hundred details that you never hear on other recordings.

Sound Quality) BROADWAY is best. The London recording has very good sound, but Broadway's sound is more sharp and focused.

Jean Valjean) TIE. Colm Wilkinson sings the role of Valjean on both recordings. His voice is a bit unsteady, but his acting is perfect. And he is IMMEASURABLY better on these two recordings than he was at the Tenth Anniversary Concert.

Javert) LONDON. Roger Allam has a strong, clear voice, and uses it well in Javert's solos. Terrance Mann has more trouble with his solos, but manages to pull through in the rest of the Broadway recording. Both of them are decent actors, but neither of them can touch Philip Quast, who will always be THE Javert.

Fantine) LONDON. Patti LuPone is one of the few Fantine's who sings the role instead of wailing it. And she does more than just sing it. If LuPone's "I Dreamed a Dream" doesn't bring you close to tears, you have a stone heart. Randy Graff on the Broadway recording leaves a lot to be desired, but isn't nearly as bad as Ruthie Henshall in the Tenth Anniversary Concert.

Marius) LONDON! Michael Ball was the first and the definitive Marius. His singing and acting are great, and he makes a potentially sentimental character believable and even likeable. Nowhere does David Bryant on the Broadway recording come close to matching him. Bryant isn't as bad as some people say, but he does little more than sing the notes.

Enjolras) BROADWAY! David Burt on the London recording does a very good job. His voice is light but pleasant, and he is able to sound sufficiently heroic. But Michael Maguire on the Broadway recording is in a different league all together. His entrance in "One Day More" is spine-tingling, as is his opening in "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Neither of these singers come even close to matching Anthony Warlow's Enjolras on the Complete Symphonic Recording, though.

Thenardier) LONDON. There is nothing wrong with Leo Burmester on the Broadway recording. Alun Armstrong, however, does better at conveying the sinister aspect of the rogue innkeeper. And his excellent Cockney accent doesn't hurt either.

Eponine) BROADWAY. Frances Ruffelle sings Eponine on both recordings. Her voice is more refined on the London recording, but she sounds more urgent and exciting on the Broadway. She is excellent on both of them, though.

Cosette) LONDON. There isn't much difference between the way London's Rebecca Caine and Broadway's Judy Kuhn sing Cosette. In fact, Judy Kuhn might be a hair better. What set's the London version in front of the Broadway version is that Cosette gets her own song on the London. Her solo, "I saw him once", makes Cosette's character just a little less shallow.

Well, there you have it. The Original Broadway Cast is in my opinion not quite as good as the London Cast, but both recordings are very good. Ultimately, you will have to chose for yourself which (if either) to get.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get the 10th anniversary version, February 10, 2004

By A Customer

Very lively performances. Best cast. And yes, interestingly, in response to the debates one role seems to have generated: NO whiny voice playing Eponine (who, as one reviewer has noted, wouldn't have gotten the part had the actor in the 10th anniversary recording been old enough back then to audition for the role).

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good..., February 4, 2004

By A Customer

Except for some actors, like Frances Ruffele with the whiny and annoyingly squeeky voice. As many reviewers have pointed out, it's wisest to get the 10th Anniversary Recording. THAT recording has the best cast.