Victor Hugo’s epic novel of 1862, “Les Misérables,” became a blockbuster musical that has generated sobs, cheers and occasional guffaws worldwide since opening in London’s West End 23 seasons ago. None of the Tony Award-winning show’s previous productions has been as revolutionary as the black box format created for Signature’s MAX Theatre.
The set encases the entire theater, placing the audience in the midst of action in the tavern, the Paris slums and the city’s sewers. The stellar cast incorporates Broadway and “Les Miz” veterans, Signature Theatre regulars and future stars from area schools as Young Cosette, Young Eponine and Gavroche.
Helen Hayes Award double-nominee Christopher Bloch has the plum role of Thenardier, the villainous innkeeper who provides comic relief. He is paired with Helen Hayes Award winner Sherri Edelen as Madame Thenardier. The wicked twosome relieve their drunken customers of money and swindle everyone they meet along the path to their demise.
“I’m going a little more for a Fagin approach to bring out his avarice and grifter personality while pushing toward his dangerousness,” Bloch says. “The physicality comes naturally because there’s a nimbleness to his fingers, which are always moving.
“In the innkeepers’ song (‘Master of the House’), he and his wife explain that their goal is to get all they can from their customers. ‘Dog Eats Dog,’ which he sings while going through the clothes of bodies in the sewers, sums up his final end.”
Bloch became a local theater staple soon after settling here in 2001. The Minnesota native had previously performed in its famed Guthrie Theatre, repertory theaters around the country and the national touring company of “The Buddy Holly Story,” where he met his wife.
He was drawn to town initially by an open call for two shows, “Twentieth Century” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He was tapped for both, leading to steady work at major venues in Washington and Baltimore, including Ford’s Theatre, Everyman Theatre and Arena Stage, where his interpretation of a veteran suffering from post traumatic stress in “Christmas Carol 1941” earned a Helen Hayes nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The honor was repeated for his portrayal of Caldwell B. Cladwell in Signature’s production of “Urinetown.”
In addition to owning a fine singing voice, Bloch plays flute, guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, mandolin and other musical instruments required for his roles. “The Great Northfield Raid” on PBS, “Fast Food Films” on Fox and the final episode of “The West Wing” are among his film and TV credits.
“The Washington audiences are very informed and whenever I meet them on the street they talk about the shows with intelligence and excitement,” he says. “They pay attention to everything happening on stage because they love the theater, so I know they’ll remember and talk about this production of ‘Les Miz’ long afterward.”
If you go
“Les Miserables”
Where: Signature’s MAX Theatre, Arlington
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; opens Tuesday and runs through Jan. 25
Info: $65 to $87; 703-573-7328; www.signature-theatre.org
Information on packages and New Year’s Eve gala is available at 703-820-9771.
