Consider this dazzling blurb: “The world’s most popular musical Les Misérables is now playing in Manila for the first time. The blockbuster musical has been seen by over 70 million people worldwide in 44 countries, done in 22 languages and won more than 125 major awards around the world. This breathtaking new production has left both audiences and critics awestruck.”
In truth, I was left “almost” awestruck upon seeing Les Mis at The Theater of the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City. The musical—with the lone Filipino singer turned instant West End star of sort (second only to the “assoluta” Lea Salonga ) Rachelle Ann Go in the role of Fantine—was near perfect. Almost only if Go’s voice did not get a little strained for comfort. To be fair, so was Earl Carpenter’s in the role of Javert (played by Russel Crowe in the film version, remember?)