Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- ``Les Miserables,'' which ran 16 years on Broadway before closing in 2003, is back for a limited six-month run. While it's not quite as grand as the original, the revival still soars over its musical competition.

Elitists dismissed the show -- not without some justification -- when it made its New York premiere in 1987. The music, they complained, was of the sausage-machine variety; the melodies were simplistic and the lyrics were workmanlike, but hardly outstanding.

Yet ``Les Miz,'' based on Victor Hugo's novel about a former convict pursued by a relentless police inspector in 19th-century France, became one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history.

Most of the creative team from the Broadway original has returned for the revival: John Napier with his highly functional sets, Andreane Neofitou with her fine costumes and David Hersey with his spectacular lighting, all crowned by the co-direction of British veterans John Caird and Trevor Nunn.

Alexander Gemignani, who doesn't look like my idea of the convict Jean Valjean, nevertheless does a bang-up job of acting and singing the part. Norm Lewis is thoroughly effective as his nemesis, Javert, though somewhat less tormented than Terrence Mann in the Broadway original.

Valjean, who spent 19 years at hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, is hounded by Javert after being released on parole. Along salvation's way, Valjean gets involved with Fantine, a young factory worker reduced to prostitution. Fantine dies young and leaves behind a little daughter, Cosette, whom Valjean promises to bring up as his own.

Revolution in Paris

The girl has been living with a crooked innkeeper, Thenardier, and his equally grasping wife, who indulge their own daughter, Eponine, while viciously maltreating Cosette. Valjean buys the couple off and takes Cosette with him to Paris.

Almost 10 years later, a revolution is raging in the capital, with Valjean on the side of the rebellious, idealistic students and Javert supporting the oppressors' army. Javert falls into the hands of Valjean, who magnanimously lets him escape.

Among the rebels is young Marius, who has fallen in love with the now-grown Cosette. As the rebels heroically perish, Valjean rescues the wounded, comatose Marius. Eponine, who is also in love with Marius, unselfishly delivers his farewell letter to her romantic rival, Cosette; returning to the rebels, Eponine is shot and killed.

Valjean's Deathbed

Javert, now haunted by Valjean's superhuman forgiveness, commits suicide by leaping into the Seine. Cosette marries Marius, and Valjean prepares for self-effacing exile. It is not until the young couple visits Valjean on his deathbed that they realize how much they both owe to him.

Gary Beach is very funny as Thenardier, but unlike the Broadway originator, Leo Burmester, he's wholly unthreatening. Jenny Galloway is terrific as his wife, Aaron Lazar is commendable as the student leader, Enjolras, and Brian D'Addario triumphs as Gavroche, the child rebel who is killed in battle.

As the grown-up Cosette, Ali Ewoldt hits the high notes that the part requires. The only disappointments are the Fantine of Daphne Rubin-Vega, who sings in an artificially naive manner, and Celia Keenan Bolger's excessively American Eponine.

Whether you revisit this revival as an old friend, or catch the show for the first time, you'll leave it anything but miserable.

``Les Miserables'' is playing at the Broadhurst Theater, 235 W. 44th St., through April 22. For tickets, call +1-212-239-6200 or visit http://www.telecharge.com.

`Evil Dead'

``Evil Dead: The Musical'' is unabashed low camp. Based on a couple of horror flicks, it follows five students -- two pairs of lovers and one homely comedienne -- during a camping trip in the woods.

People get shot, heads and hands are chopped off, a mounted moose head talks, furniture turns mischievous, trees molest a girl, a ghost materializes and the dead don't stay dead. The plot stays amiably dumb.

The feeble book and lyrics are by George Reinblatt; the even weaker music required the efforts of four, including Reinblatt and director Christopher Bond. The young cast makes up in enthusiasm what is lacking in other ways, and David Gallo's droll scenery out-acts them all.

If you are capable of immersion without animadversion, you'll get your quota of laughs. Provided, that is, you don't sit in the front rows, where blood, water and mist may dampen your enjoyment.

``Evil Dead'' is playing at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St. For tickets, call +1-212- 239-6200 or visit http://www.telecharge.com.

(John Simon is the New York theater critic for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer of this story: John Simon at jis1925@aol.com.

Last Updated: November 10, 2006 09:02 EST