We quite enjoyed Les Mis, or Les Miz.
The last time I saw it, I fell asleep. Have I mentioned that? Yeah . . . and as Hester said, that wasn't really a super great chapter in the saga of Eliza and Matt so maybe better not to relive it at all. But anyway it was in New York in December 2002 and Matt and I saw it together, and I fell asleep in the middle of it, and then we broke up a few weeks later.
This time, I stayed awake, although I was really tired. It's possible that the rain coming in the sides of the open-air amphitheatre--thank you, tropical storm Hanna--helped me in this regard. Or maybe it was the awesomeness of Javert? Jean Valjean also did a great job, although sadly his voice cracked at the very end of my favorite, "Bring Him Home." Eponine, also awesome. French Revolution, also awesome.
Although I can appreciate the poignancy, I have never really liked "Castle on a Cloud," and the young Cosette in this production wasn't super amazing. I guess I should give her credit for being nine years old though. I always get a tiny bit misty when I hear "On My Own" and "I Dreamed a Dream." Those poor girls. . . . My favorite song when I listened to the soundtrack as a child was "Lovely Ladies." Probably a good thing I had no idea what that was about. I also always liked the anthems "Red and Black" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" to which I would march around the house purposefully. Kinda not a fan of "At the End of the Day," mainly because that phrase is really corny.
My favorite moments in this show all involved Inspector Javert. Loved "Stars" and also the duet/duel with Jean Valjean at Fantine's deathbed, no idea what that's called though.
I may need to re-read Les Miserables now. That Victor Hugo gets me every time.
And now our summer of musical events is over. It was a good one.
So I'm finally back online...and I must say that I have really missed your blogs while I've been gone. And ps...I also fell asleep the first time I saw Les Mis...the second time I had to stay awake because I had to analyze it for a class!
ReplyDeleteWe saw Les Mis this summer as well. It was a great production and made me wonder if I even remember the book correctly. I'll have to put it on my list again.
ReplyDeleteWe saw it a long time ago - but I still remember and love it - and the songs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Heather C. should read this post for some great name ideas!
Wait, Eliza, did you ever finish the book to begin with?
ReplyDelete(Remember when we went to see the movie and we were all disgusted with it because they changed the ending and you hadn't gotten to the ending and so were like, "What? I liked it." heh.)
On My Own and I Dreamed a Dream also make me a little teary-eyed.