You would think that the third time is the charm with anything, but tonight, the 4th time was the charm for seeing Les Miserables. We were sitting sixth row center. I don't know how it did it, but it changed my life again. Every time that I see it or even listen to the music, I fall in love with a different character or a different line from the show. (Michael... a newly converted Les Miserables fan compares it to the BoM in that way.. you always find something different whenever you experience it.. haha)
Tonight was no exception. It was outstanding. When I saw it the first time here, I was unsure about the Jean Valjean (he was good, but looked a little too young and was too harsh with people), the Fantine was off pitch a lot, the Cosette and Marius especially were nasily, the Eponine was the understudy and a little awkward... I still loved the show, because it is my favorite show, but I had my stingy complaints that I always seem to be able to come up with. Even when I saw it on Broadway summer 2007 I found reasons to be upset (mainly the Jean Valjean again.. he still looked too young then..)
It was the dream cast. Literally. I previously had said that I wanted to see it only if Marius was the understudy.. and tonight when we got there, he was! There has been a new Jean Valjean here since November 10th, and he is fantastic. He was exactly what I have always envisioned that character looking like and sounding like. He had the emotion, the love, the change of heart. He encompassed him completely from the beginning to the end. The Eponine was the real one, and she was great! I'm glad that I got to meet her on the tube before I saw her.. it made it more interesting. haha. The Fantine was the same as before, but she had a great performance. She acted it well, and was rarely, if at all, off key. Marius had a GREAT voice, and his acting and performance in "Little Fall of Rain" in conjunction with Eponine literally made 2 big fat tears roll down my cheek (I had brought tissue, I was prepared). The fact that tears actually leaked out of my eyes is something... I usually try to hold those suckers in at all costs... Javert was amazing. A great low voice, and surprise! After the show we waited at the cast door, and he is young and quite attracitve. Did NOT see that coming... Enjorlas (the best singer by far when I saw it the first time) was still amazing, but he was actually rivaled by the rest of the cast this time.
Basically, there was not ONE weak link in the entire cast. It was magic.
I love this show. So much. It expresses every human experience and emtion that occures in life with the utmost honesty. It inspires empathy and love and a greater appreciation for family, a greater respect and understanding of individual worth and life, and it illustrates the immense amounts of faith that our forefathers had to have to fight for what they believed in.
Still my favorite lines: (I have them memorized) (from the Epilogue/Finale)
"Take my hand, and lead me to salvation.
Take my love, for love is everlasting.
And remember the truth that one was spoken:
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people who are climbing to the light
For the wretched of the Earth there is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes!"
And that is just a small summary of why this is my favorite show.
No comments:
Post a Comment