So, MONTHS ago I DVR'd a Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert Special off PBS and I just barely got around to watching it. It is the full musical, and they are in full makeup and costumes, but they don't really act it out--they just stand at microphones and sing it.
I love Les Miz--It's the first real broadway musical production I really saw (other than all the local Idaho Falls productions of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate and SO many others--haha!). But LM was the first real show I saw at the Capital Theatre in Salt Lake City.
I have so much to say:
First: In this version Marius is played by a Jonas Brother--I think it's Nick. A JONAS BROTHER??? He's actually not too bad. He just seems so young for the role.
I have seen LM so many times--Several times in Salt Lake and once in London.
Everytime I watch it I have a different favorite character--I guess it's the different phases of life, right? But when I was a little girl listening to the music before I had ever seen the play, my favorite character was Enjolras, the leader of the student revolutionaries, for some odd reason. Then over the last 6 or 7 times seeing the play, I always find a different character that I like the best: Eponine, Javert, Fantine, the Thenardier's. I can never really relate to Jean Valjean for some reason, but he is always one of my favorite characters (of course). I think it's because he is just so unwavering and completely full of love and charity. I don't know, I'd like to relate to him, but I just never do. Perhaps that should be a life goal.... So, upon my watching of this PBS special, I went back to childhood crush of Enjolras. I just love this guy--he is such an interesting character to me: he is so brave and unwavering in his beliefs. He never gives up on the cause of revolution--even after he realizes that his band of students has no backup and they will likely die. And ultimately, he does die for that cause. I admire his leadership and optimism. Plus he is always the dreamist guy in the cast! Jean Valjean may be uncommonly strong, but Enjolras is always the best man of the cast. And let's face it, Marius is just kind of a wimp!
I'm pretty sure that since I was about 7 years old listening I understood that marriage can be kind of a pain the neck, thanks to Madam Thenardier! I have always loved her little rant at the beginning of "Master of the House."
I think that prostitutes would have a better life if they were able to sing an upbeat, catchy song like "Lovely Ladies" during their shifts. Ha!
Javert's 2 soliloquy songs ("Stars" and "Javert's Suicide") are some of my favorite songs in the musical. I also love all the songs sung by the students in the bar or at the barricades.
Life lessons to glean from LM:
In general we all need to forgive others and give the benefit of the doubt more often.
BUT also be careful--there are creepy and manipulative people out there who WILL take advantage of you any way they can.
Stand up for what you believe in and protect what you love.
Passion makes life worth living.
I could literally keep going for pages and pages!
Anyway, i'm a nerd--I absolutely love this play. I can't WAIT for the day that they bring back a revival to Broadway. I will definitely be going to NYC to see it.
