Les Miserables 2005
First of all, why do most people refer to Les Miserables as "Les Mis"? Simple: Because they can't say "Les Miserables" in French. Which is funny, given the fact that people in the U.S. pride themselves for being in such a great melting pot of languages and cultures and people. I mean, for such a "melting pot" wouldn't you think there'd be more multi-lingual people? The majority of multi-lingual people in the U.S. are immigrants. As opposed to someone who's from...say, Switzerland. They can speak English, German, French, and Italian. Or in Hong Kong, where they speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Or Japan, where people speak Japanese and English.
Anyway, enough social commentary. Back to Les Miserables. Today was the first day I ever saw Les Miserables in the theatre (the Cadillac Theatre in Chicago). It was pretty neat seeing it in person, even though I heard the CD's before a million times and knew every line by heart. Shoot, I could have sung along with the cast and not missed a note. Not bad for someone who has never seen the musical before, eh? And despite having listened to the musical for the past 10 years, I still found it quite moving and brilliant.
Listening to the singers and how the timbre of the voices and notes blended together, especially during the trios, was absolutely marvelous and genius. Some of the singers were sub-par, but most of the lead singers performed magnificently. Overall, though, it sounded like the performance was a bit rushed. But that's just compared to what I'm accustomed to; the CD version takes its time a little more (I have the International version).
I'm not even sure when Les Miserables first came out. I do know it was in the mid-80's some time, but was it '85 or '87 or what? Regardless of what year, it was still amazing to see that it was still a packed house at the theatre. I didn't see any open seats (unlike Jesus Christ Superstar). And there were many young people there in their early twenties and even early teens (mostly girls). Many of them had purchased the official program or picture book, or whatever it was. Again, it was amazing that this musical that was almost 20 years old, was still selling out all the performances and that it was appealing to a whole new generation of teens and young adults. I mean, most of those teens weren't even born yet when it first came out.
Anyway, I was seriously considering buying the CD's for my niece as a gift since she's very interested in music. But I'm not sure if they have it, already. Plus, I'm not sure if she shares her mother's interest in musicals. I have to admit, I was a huge music fan for years since a young child. I listened to everything from foreign or domestic pop to opera to new age to gregorian chant to chinese opera (not all of it is pots and pans - some of it is really good), but it took me a while to get in to musicals.
Afterwards, Richel and I were discussing certain scenes over dinner. I had to explain one scene to her; the scene when Marius sings about all his friends who have died. For all of you out there who didn't get this scene, this is a guy scene. The whole concept of Marius staying with his friends to fight instead of running off with his new love interest is a total guy concept. It's similar to why guys meet every week with their buddies for poker night, or bowling night, or whatever, and nothing is supposed to get in the way. It's male bonding stuff.
I'd have to say that the most amusing part of watching Les Miserables was the old man sitting next to me. He had to have been 70 years old, or something. Everytime the group sang about revolution, he would pat his lap along to the beat and sing along quietly. And I think he was crying at the sad scenes, too, because he was blowing his nose and sniffling at these times. After each solo performance while everyone was clapping, he'd always say, "oh, he's so good!".
I hope Les Miserables will still be around for my kids when they're old enough to appreciate it.
Anyway, enough social commentary. Back to Les Miserables. Today was the first day I ever saw Les Miserables in the theatre (the Cadillac Theatre in Chicago). It was pretty neat seeing it in person, even though I heard the CD's before a million times and knew every line by heart. Shoot, I could have sung along with the cast and not missed a note. Not bad for someone who has never seen the musical before, eh? And despite having listened to the musical for the past 10 years, I still found it quite moving and brilliant.
Listening to the singers and how the timbre of the voices and notes blended together, especially during the trios, was absolutely marvelous and genius. Some of the singers were sub-par, but most of the lead singers performed magnificently. Overall, though, it sounded like the performance was a bit rushed. But that's just compared to what I'm accustomed to; the CD version takes its time a little more (I have the International version).
I'm not even sure when Les Miserables first came out. I do know it was in the mid-80's some time, but was it '85 or '87 or what? Regardless of what year, it was still amazing to see that it was still a packed house at the theatre. I didn't see any open seats (unlike Jesus Christ Superstar). And there were many young people there in their early twenties and even early teens (mostly girls). Many of them had purchased the official program or picture book, or whatever it was. Again, it was amazing that this musical that was almost 20 years old, was still selling out all the performances and that it was appealing to a whole new generation of teens and young adults. I mean, most of those teens weren't even born yet when it first came out.
Anyway, I was seriously considering buying the CD's for my niece as a gift since she's very interested in music. But I'm not sure if they have it, already. Plus, I'm not sure if she shares her mother's interest in musicals. I have to admit, I was a huge music fan for years since a young child. I listened to everything from foreign or domestic pop to opera to new age to gregorian chant to chinese opera (not all of it is pots and pans - some of it is really good), but it took me a while to get in to musicals.
Afterwards, Richel and I were discussing certain scenes over dinner. I had to explain one scene to her; the scene when Marius sings about all his friends who have died. For all of you out there who didn't get this scene, this is a guy scene. The whole concept of Marius staying with his friends to fight instead of running off with his new love interest is a total guy concept. It's similar to why guys meet every week with their buddies for poker night, or bowling night, or whatever, and nothing is supposed to get in the way. It's male bonding stuff.
I'd have to say that the most amusing part of watching Les Miserables was the old man sitting next to me. He had to have been 70 years old, or something. Everytime the group sang about revolution, he would pat his lap along to the beat and sing along quietly. And I think he was crying at the sad scenes, too, because he was blowing his nose and sniffling at these times. After each solo performance while everyone was clapping, he'd always say, "oh, he's so good!".
I hope Les Miserables will still be around for my kids when they're old enough to appreciate it.
posted by V-Hume at 11:22 PM
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