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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1997)
Tuesday,September23,1997_ •_ •' ; ' . ___ Page9 Award-winning musical giant i to enliven / Lied Chris Thomas Theater Critic IOnly a musical with the epic proportions of “Les Miserables” could sell out eight consecutive perfor mances at Lincoln’s Lied Center for the Performing Arts. The raw power and emotion of this play, com bined with its award-winning music, has become a favorite among critics and fans everywhere. , Brought to the stage by composer Claude-Michel I Schonberg and librettist Alain Boublil, “Les f Miserables” is Victor Hugo’s classic story in a form that is undeniably eloquent, remarkably influential and truly unforgettable. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the French ^Revolution, character arc and back story are devel oped with immaculate precision. | The musical opens in 1815 Digne, with Jean I Valjean (Gregory Stone) breaking parole after a 19 F year prison sentence to begin his life anew. The epic encompasses his life and those adjacent to it, includ ing a pursuing inspector, Javert (Todd Johnson), an r orphaned child, Cosette (Elizabeth Lundberg and Kate Fisher), revolutionary students led by Enjolras (Matthew Shepard) and France’s forgotten lower class. Teeming with stunning plot twists, gorgeous pageantry and elaborate sets, the three-hour performance is best remembered for its music. *** * % Led by Thenardier (J. P. Dougherty), * _ “Master of the House” is a choral wonder telling of the clever, yet maniacal, nature a... ,jof the ill-do-well innkeeper, and con \ trasting their poor but virtuous daugh ter, Eponine (Rona Figueroa). Soliloquies by Valjean, Javert - and Marius (Rich Affannato) give the epic a personal and empathetic atmosphere the audience can breathe in. But the true power of “Les Miserables” comes from incredi ble cast numbers like “One Day ^ More,” “Look Down” and “Do You Hear The People Sing?” They fill the theater with emotions incommunicable with mere words, and over whelm the listener. “Les Miserables” is playing sold-out Lied per formances today through Sunday. Also appearing will be Lisa Capps as - Fantine, Tregoney Shepherd as Madame Thenardier and Jason L. Mays as Gavroche. - ■ H Photo illustration by MaryAnn Muggy/DN CLUB 1427> 1427 0 St., features wine tastings and an open micro phone on the first and second Tuesday of every month. Alternating Tuesdays feature educational and independent films. is § i ■ YiaYia’s Beer Wine & Pizza takes it to the other side (Mi Tuesday evenings. By MaryAnn Muggy <■ Staff Reporter So it’s Tuesday night and students have been studying their brains out. They want Jo take a break and hang out with friends, but don’t want to get too crazy - they have a test in the morning. What is there to do? At 1427 O St., there is a place galled-- surprise! - Club 1427. You’ve probably seen it next to YiaYia’s Beer Wine & Pizza, 1423 O St. The establishment has something happening on Tuesday nights that’s perfect for a study break or just hang ing out. Every second and fourth Tuesday is movie night. On alternating Tuesdays, the club features wine tastings and an open microphone.On movie nights, the people at Club 1427 show about five short films from their collection of 250. Patrons between the ages of 23 and 29 prob ably liave seen many of them before - they are the educational films teachers showed in school. Documentaries and independent films round out the screenings, which begin at 10 p.m. - Although Club 1427 has a fully stocked bar,mo food is allowed there, so patrons should arrive early if they want YiaYia’s pizza. On wine-tasting nights, the club showcases four of its 40 wines. For $8, connoisseurs may sample each, and select a glass of their favorite. Complementary bread, cheese and grapes a' ompany the tasting. Full bottles also are available for $ 11.50. Along with the wine tasting, an open microphone is available for musicians, poets, comedians or oth ers who desire to let their artistic juices flow. A master of ceremonies introduces the brave, who are on their own from there on. Since alcohol is available on both movie and wine-tasting nights, par ticipants need to be 21 to attend. So there it is - new alternatives to an otherwise uneventful Tuesday night. Just wander over to Club 1427, stopping first at YiaYia’s for dinner, and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it for all that studying.