'Les Misérables' is an epic tale of revolution at the Benedum Center

Other than “Wicked” (at the moment) and a handful of others, “Les Misérables” has to be one of the most well-known musicals in the modern canon. It’s the longest-running musical in the history of London’s West End, has won eight Tony Awards for its Broadway production — including Best Musical — and was adapted to the screen in 2012 with several big-name actors taking the opportunity to play its famous roles.

It’s also a pretty epic experience, spanning decades (in show time) and three hours (in real time) with an extensive cast, a soaring score and historical roots. It’s visiting Pittsburgh this week, running through Nov. 30 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.

If the name didn’t let you know, this show is … kind of a bummer. It follows the life of ex-con Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell), who went to prison for almost two decades for stealing bread to feed his nephew. After a life-changing experience he has shortly after his release, he decides to lead a good life, part of which is taking in an orphan named Cosette (Alexa Lopez) and raising her as his own. In the course of their time together, they encounter a student revolution attempt in Paris, which changes their lives and the lives of the characters around them.

Throughout the years following his release, Valjean is also pursued by lawman Javert (Nick Rehberger) whose dogged adherence to his own views is eventually ruinous. There are also the Thénardiers (Victoria Huston-Elem and Matt Crowle), who scheme and scam their way through the show; young revolutionary and suitor for Cosette, Marius (Peter Neureuther); and Eponine (Jaedynn Latter), the daughter of the Thénardiers, who is also in love with Marius.

The characters all must battle through the difficult circumstances of early 19th century France in their own ways, and the entire cast does a sensational job of portraying the ups and downs of these peoples’ lives.

Cartell is the backbone of the show, with a forceful voice and excellent vocal control that allows him to inject emotion into the more peaceful scenes of the score. His songs with Lopez — who has a perfect Disney princess warble — are especially filled with warmth and vocal chemistry. As his opposite in many ways, Rehberger is pure power, with a grit and fury to his vocals that makes him a cast standout. Latter excelled in one of the score’s iconic songs, “On My Own,” garnering extended applause from the opening night audience. But for both his physical dexterity and his ability to portray the slimy, dastardly Thénardier in such a mesmerizing way, Crowle gives my favorite performance. He would make an excellent Beetlejuice.

The proportions of the set were also epic, allowing the actors to both vertically and horizontally use the space, thanks to resourceful set design by Matt Kinley. With such a large cast and so many different scenes, costumes (designed by Andreane Neofitou) had to be quite an undertaking, but all of them were stunning and representative of the class divide between the characters. But the true stunner of this production is the lighting design by Paule Constable, which was often dim (to fit the mood) but shockingly effective during the battle scenes. Using stabs and shafts of stark white spotlight to illuminate and shadow the fog and confusion of a war zone filled with gunshots is heart-pounding and effective.

“Les Mis” is one of the rare musicals with a second act that’s better than its first. Based on a 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, the show is a slow burn that requires a lot of setup and can drag at times despite the beautiful score. It’s a time investment that shines more in the arcs of the people involved than a larger plot, and also could be extensively dissected for political, religious and sociological themes.

But at its heart, it’s a musical full of memorable songs and a cast that brings out the best in them.

“Les Misérables” will run through Nov. 30 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. For tickets, visit trustarts.org.