REVIEW: 'Couchical' sends up comically condensed 'Les Miserables' - Northwest Herald
Somewhere, the Marriott musical director and inspiration for the latest episode of "Couchical," Peter Sullivan, has to be laughing, or maybe crying, or maybe doing both. And I’m back on my couch happily viewing a theatrical production with the knowledge I’m about to be treated to a satirical comedy.
After weeks of tantalizing speculation, "Couchical" is back, and this time it’s "Les Miserables" – yes, that beloved musical based on Victor Hugo’s 19th century novel involving an 1832 rebellion in France. Stars Jenna Coker-Jones (Jeff-nominated star of “Company”) and husband Christopher Kale Jones (star of “Jersey Boys”) deliciously skewered "Les Miserables" with much merriment, talent and wit. But it was so epic they had to be joined by Jenna’s good friend, Stephanie Beatriz, perhaps best known to audiences as Detective Rosa Diaz in the NBC comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”. The Joneses’ adorable daughter Presley returns in the roles of young Cosette and Eponine. I should mention Presley also gets to sing the best Broadway kid song, “Castle on a Cloud.”
Beatriz saw the musical when she was 17, and was anxious to see what she retained. And so Beatriz recounts and narrates the tale as the Joneses enact Prisoner 24601, aka Jean Valjean, Fantine, Marius, Enjolras, Javert – yes, they’re all there, even that slimy couple missing teeth and morals, the Thenardiers.
The clever tongue-in-cheek comments, silly costumes, subtitles and props continue, but the production values have increased in earnest. There’s a much more ambitious insert of animation and clips than previous "Couchical" episodes. But the whimsy and droll hilarity are steadfast and effervescent.
Best of all, we’re treated to the magnificent vocal singing talents of Chris and Jenna. The “One Day More” montage is brief but amazing, and I really wanted Jenna to sing the entire “I Dreamed a Dream,” and Chris to complete the “Who Am I?” piece. They both possess huge and luxuriant voices. But this production only showcases act one. How can I possibly wait for the release of act two?
So again, I must applaud Jenna and Chris for their wit, their bitingly funny humor, and the pleasure found in their words, actions and talents. And like any good theater, I have to thank them for educating me. Who knew the street urchin in every "Les Miz" production speaks with a Cockney accent because of the the obligatory French-English show urchin exchange?
By the way, there is a hysterical trailer for this episode you must partake in. The Joneses can sing, they definitely can act, and merci, can they make you laugh.
• Regina Belt-Daniels is a theater aficionado who loves to write and impart her opinion on any unsuspecting reader.
If YOU VIEW
WHAT: "Couchical" episode five, "Les Miserables," a comic salute to Marriott Theatre musicals
WHEN: Available anytime
COST: Free streaming
INFO: bit.ly/2Vkx1Ln on YouTube.com; for other offerings, go to www.marriottheatre.com, 847-634-0200
2020-08-10 21:55:19Z
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/08/04/review-couchical-sends-up-comically-condensed-les-miserables/ag0mt8n/
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