Wednesday was one of the best nights of
my life.
The musical of Les Miserables has been an obsession of mine for the past month or so, aided by Anna Olivia, and my sister. I listen to I Dreamed a Dream every night at least once,
and sing "Red... the blood of angry men!" sporadically around the house.
So when we found out that the 25th anniversary concert was playing for just one night in a theater not far from our house, we decided to go.
There is so much I could say about the concert, but it would turn into a 20-mile long post.
Basically,
1. It was absolutely beautiful.
I liked some of the singers much better than in the 1995 version that I am super-familiar with.
2. Nick Jonas actually pulled off Marius. I think this is impressive, considering he's only 18, and is a pop star. I actually liked how his voice wasn't super powerful and mature, because that's more fitting for Marius. And he looked great for the part. I haven't seen hair I liked that much in a long, long time.
3. I adored Javert like never before. My sister has always loved this character, and I have repeatedly reproved her for this. However, Norm Lewis' Javert was so amazing, I couldn't help but adore him.
4. Jean Val Jean didn't do anything for me. I didn't like his voice or looks much at all.
5. The costumes were to die for. I wish there were more pictures I could show you, but there is shocking lack of them on the internet. There were scrumptious cravats and white shirts with rolled-up sleeves and boots and vests and newsboy hats. I nearly died.
6. I didn't actually ever weep, which is pretty impressive. The closest I ever got was when Michael Ball
(the Marius that I love from the 10th anniversary version)
got on stage at the very end and sang "One Day More" with several other singers from that cast.
I nearly burst into tears. His voice is so powerful and amazing
It's cocoa butter for my soul.
 |
| Enjolras on the left. Marius... is singing... LOL. |
7. Enjolras was awesome. His hair wasn't great, but he looked very French, and was perfect.
8. I was totally rooting for Javert and Eponine instead of Val Jean and Cosette, as I ought.
Cosette sang well, but I don't like her part very well, plus, as a character, she bothers me.
Eponine and Marius totally needed to get together. OR Eponine should've married Enjolras.
9. The filming and sound and close-ups were so amazingly breathtaking in the movie theater.
I wish they showed concerts like that more often.
If you want to see videos of the performance, and more extensive commentary,
read my sister's post about it.
We feel basically the same about the entire thing.
I have now added two things to my list of things to do before I die:
See Les Miserables live.
Read the entire book.
If you haven't listened to the musical before--
buy it,
find it on Grooveshark,
or just watch a whole bunch of YouTube videos,
because it is amazing.
And if you have seen/heard the musical, what do you think?
