My All Time Favorite -- Stage Play

 The first time I saw LES MISERABLES on stage was in 

San Francisco, perhaps 25 years ago.

I was there on vacation and just happened upon

the theater where it was being performed.

A spur of the moment decision resulted in

excellent seats for that day's matinee.

Chatting with a stranger sitting beside me,

I learned he had seen the show many times 

and he assured me, it would be "life changing."

He was right.

I have seen lots and lots of stage shows.

They are a passion of mine.

But, I have never been touched by a show

in the same way I have been by LES MISERABLES.

I've had the pleasure of seeing it performed

three times over the years.

So, you can imagine my excitement about

this holiday season's  movie.

The movie did not disappoint.

(I have seen it twice, 

so you know I'm serious about Les Mis.)

I love the music and lyrics of this show.
It's my favorite thing about the show.
One difference between seeing the stage show

and the movie is that  

the lyrics are much more easily 

understood in the movie.

The songs performed in the movie do not have

the refinement you hear from the stage.

But it's much more intimate.

You are right there with the characters.

Songs in the movie were performed 

while filmed, rather than dubbed in later.

This made them much more emotional for me.

There are lines in this show  

that truly touch my soul.

"...days of endless wonder..."

"I know a place where no one's lost..."

"I was borned to be with you..."

"...there's a grief that can't be spoken,

there's a pain that goes on and on..."

and

"...to love another person,

is to see the face of God..."

LES MIS is several stories.

First is the  story of redemption.

It is a touching love story.

It is the story of a student rebellion.

Seeing the student's barricade

 on stage that first time,

with the smoke, the lighting and that red flag waving,

I realized what the "magic" of theater is.

There's also plenty of comic relief in 

Monsieur and Madam Thenardier.

I have never been a fan of Sacha Baron Cohen,

but he is perfect here.

So, I won't say this is my all time favorite movie,

although I liked it a lot.

But, it surely is a wonderful production of 

my all time favorite stage show.