"...I'll never forgive them for what
they've done...They are the guilty. Every one..."
It was last summer that I first heard the
soundtrack of Les Miserables. I'm embarrassed to admit that a few
years ago, I thought it was one of those French Circuses like "Circ
du Sole". But the lover of musicals that I am, I rented it from my
library, and listened to it in the car on the way home. It was a
shortened version, starting with "at the end of the day", instead of
the prologue. But I loved it. Of course I had no idea what was going
on. But sometimes that's the best way. You can learn the story from
the music. So I became a huge Les Mis fan.
Once I had to return the tape to the
library, I ran out to buy the CD, not being able to live without my
daily dose of Les Mis. At the CD store I saw a video that I took for
a video of the live musical. Overjoyed I bought it instantly and took
it home, only to have my voice teacher tell me that it was just a
KQED 10th anniversary thing, so I returned that, and rented it at my
local video store instead. Still somewhat naive to the total story of
Les Mis, this video somewhat confused me, but I enjoyed seeing my new
hero, Colom Wilkinson in person (sort of). Though the choir of people
in Les Miserables tee shirts were weird, and I hoped that that wasn't
what the actual play consisted of.
Well finally I bought my CD of Les Mis,
and was delighted that there was more of the musical than what was on
the tape.
Then one day while surfing the web, I came
across a schedule of the Les Mis tour, and it was coming right near
me!!! But unfortunately it was right on my little brother's birthday,
and I didn't think my parents wanted to leave for that. In complete
disappointment, I searched further, and found that it was more dates
than just his birthday, and my dad agreed to take me!
I was so excited when I got there. It was
in the Hult Center in Eugene Oregon, which is a huge, beautiful
theater. My dad had gotten us great seats, the box closest to the
stage, and right on the edge, for the first day, and seventh row I
think, right in the middle for the (yes I got to go to two
performances) second day. I was completely ecstatic, and ready to
jump on the stage and sing along with them.
My dad also, upset as I that even the CD
doesn't have all of the music on it, bought the complete symphonic
recording, which has every last note!! YEAH BABY!!!
Now along with the other musicals I want
to act in, I want to be in Les Miserables, playing Eponine. I even
sang "on my own" for my latest audition.
For all of you Les Mis fans out there who
haven't gotten a chance to experience Les Miserables on stage, check
out the tours and see if it's coming near you anytime soon. It's more
than worth it.
"One more day... one more day... One day
more....."
