When I was 12 or 13 years old, my mom took me to New York City. We went for just a day—a quick trip in from New Jersey, where we were visiting my mom’s best friend, Susan, and her family. The four of us girls (my mom, Susan, her daughter Nina, and myself) left the boys to do whatever boys do in New York City, and we headed to Broadway.
I actually still remember what I wore that day. It was one of those ensembles with the thin cotton floral spaghetti-strap dress, worn with a white t-shirt underneath and a denim vest over the top. And those work-boot style shoes with white socks. It sounds horrid now, but I assure you that it was all the rage in 1994/95.
ANYWAY.
As I recall, I think we went to lunch first, where my mom and Susan may have attempted to tell Nina and me a bit about the story behind the show we were about to see… Les Misérables. As a middle schooler, I had never heard of it before. I didn’t know that it was the Broadway musical sensation that it was.
Soon enough, we arrived at the Imperial Theatre, and sat down in our seats. The lights dimmed, the music started booming and I was captivated. I became lost in the characters and their songs… their stories. I remember feeling deeply moved by several of the scenes (I’m defenseless against intense emotion combined with music), so much so that I had tears. I looked over at Nina and she was solid as a rock, so I did my best to hide the waterworks so as not to feel uncool.
When the production ended with the powerful “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and the final curtain call was over, all I wanted to do was see it again. Alas, that is not possible with Broadway. One of the many reasons live theater is so.freaking.amazing.
My mom ended up buying the album, and I was actually kind of disappointed in it. It was a recording of the London production, which just was NOT the same from what I had experienced in New York. The voices were (in my opinion) not as beautiful—I remember being particularly displeased with Eponine. :) But it was the closest I could get to reliving the Broadway experience, so I listened to it over and over and OVER again.
It has been years—many, many years—and I still have not seen another production of Les Mis. Yet I remember many of the words to the songs, as if it were only yesterday. I still love it all.
Imagine my glee, then, when my friend Megan posted this link on Facebook last week. I have already watched it probably a dozen times, and I still get chills at the end.
They’re singing live. There is Hugh Jackman. And Russell Crowe. And Anne Hathaway (which, by the way, who knew??). And some hot guy as Marius.
Is it just me, or does this look amazing? I mean, most musicals turned movies are tolerable, entertaining, sure—but not much to write home about. But this? I CANNOT WAIT. I’ve been walking around humming and singing Les Mis tunes for the last four days. It’s unlikely that I’ll get out to see it on Christmas Day, but you can bet that I’ll see it within the first week. Just another reason to look forward to Christmas!
Anyone else as excited for this film adaptation? Or fun Broadway and/or musical theatre memories to share?
16 Responses to Les Mis
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I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
I too LOVE Les Mis and cannot wait for the movie, but the musical is also coming to the Auditorium Theater in ROC in May! :) I’m just waiting to buy tickets!!
When I was a senior on high school my schools drama department did Les Mis as its musical. I had already seen it in London at that point, but its wasn’t until then that I totally fell in love. I can not wait to see this.
Yay! So excited. But, unlike you, I actually saw Les Mis on Broadway at least 4x (GEEK!). It was on for so long and I just kept getting opportunities to go with free tickets. Can’t say no to that! My parents were also huge Andrew Lloyd Weber fans in general so that music was always on in my house. If you want some good other Les Mis porn search YouTube for “Les Mis 25th anniversary”. Soooo good.
Haha, I should’ve said it wasn’t possible for ME to go back. Obviously for those who are lucky enough to live closer (or get to the city more often), it is very possible to see it again! Four times? I am jealous. :) But when I saw Mamma Mia the second time, I still found myself comparing the actors to the “originals” (for me). It is like seeing a remake of a movie, it is just not quite the same!
I’m just as excited about this as well! There is something magical and special about a live show, but sometimes when the live version isn’t available, the screen is just as wonderful!
I’m also super excited. My friend and I used to go every time it came to Seattle and I saw it in London once. When I was in high school the 10th Anniversary Concert was being aired on PBS all the time. I haven’t watched the 25th Anniversary concert yet, but the 10th one is pretty amazing. I think I’m gonna go watch Master of the House right now.
NP! Long time, no see.
Master of the House = GENIUS. Love it.
If you enjoyed the theatre that well, you really should try to go back and see something else. I can’t recommend Wicked enough! It was the best show I’ve seen ever and I’ve seen Les Mis, Phantom, Miss Saigon, etc. You won’t be disappointed.
Oh, Caren, I’ve been back! Just not to see Les Mis again. I’ve seen Mamma Mia on Broadway twice. Saw a couple of off-broadway plays, too. And I’ve seen Phantom in Toronto. Would love to go back to Broadway to see something new (to me). I have heard great things about Wicked.
When I was in high school, we sang the songs in chorus. So when my mom took us to London, I dragged her and my sister to see it. I can tell you it was so amazing in person even though you weren’t as happy with the recording. We were all crying and the only thing we had was a fabric glass case, which we disgustingly shared between us because no one wanted to get up and leave.
I didn’t mean to discredit the London production… I’m sure it’s incredible. It’s just hard when you sit through a show and get immediately attached to those particular actors (and their voices) as the characters, and then it’s over–and you never get to hear them again! I’m sure the London actors who were on my album weren’t even the same ones you saw live, you know?
That is hilarious about using the fabric glasses case as a community tissue.
See Book of Mormon next time! OMG SO HILARIOUS. (And I’m a big musical fan, too.) :)
And I am unreasonably excited about this movie. Russell Crowe + Hugh Jackman + Les Mis = KRISTEN HEAVEN.
Les Mis is my absolute favorite. After seeing it for the first time my mom bought me the London performance CDs, and I too was initially disappointed at the difference, but over time it grew on me :) I listened to it every.single.day after school. Since then I’ve gone back and seen it at least twice more.
I can’t wait for this! Watching that preview gave me chills!
So excited to hear about this. Les Mis is one of my favorites and in the 90s I bought the 3 versions so I could get the most accurate and the NY one! Hooray!
Anne Hathaway actually auditioned for the role of Christine in Phantom of the Opera but they gave it to Emmy Rossum
Hi Rachael, I never actually saw the film adaptation of Phantom. Was it good?