This week’s sibling assignment given to us by Raymond Pert is the following: Write about a particularly memorable musical you have seen, whether live or on screen. Just to help a little, it doesn't have to be writing about the production itself. It might be that the musical you write about happened at a particularly important time or maybe the ideas portrayed in the musical turned out to be ones that inspired you to think more deeply and fully about an important aspect of your life. It's all up to you: write about a memorable musical. Raymond Pert's post about "Jesus Christ Superstar" is here, and Inland Empire Girl's post about "Annie" is here.In the ‘90’s, while living in Meridian, I was watching the Public TV pledge drive and one of the special programs you could get if you made a donation was highlights from the musical “Les Miserables”. I donated and received the VHS tape, and watched it many times. I also purchased the soundtrack to listen to the music.
I went to the library once while living in Meridian and got Victor Hugo’s book “Les Miserables” and read it. It is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law found me a copy written in French while on their honeymoon in France. I can’t read it in this language, but it is still fun to have around.
In 1995, our youngest daughter was born. PKR named her Cosette, after the main female character in Les Miserables. He had seen a movie about this story in French class in high school, and the story always stuck with him.
Les Miserables came to Boise while we were still living there, and PKR and I finally got our chance to see this production I had fallen in love with through the book, the VHS tape, and the soundtrack.
It was everything I had hoped it to be. This story is one of grace, forgiveness and redemption. Through Jean Valjean’s life and the other characters he encounters, you see these themes woven throughout the story.
What I wasn’t expecting was the ending. They didn’t show this on the VHS tape. The song was on the soundtrack, so I was familiar with it, but I didn’t know what was happening when it was performed on stage.
At the end, the "Finale Two" is sung and all the characters that have died come out as if singing to Jean Valjean from Heaven, and, the first time I saw this, I wept. And not just tears trickling down my cheeks, I sobbed. I was moved by this song, by the message, and by the staging of the moment.
And I love it when art does that to me. When I am watching something and I am moved so strongly by emotion, whether is be tears or laughter, I like to be moved.
And Les Miserables did not disappoint.
A few years ago, Les Miserables came to Spokane, and we saw it again, so Cosette could see the show based on her name. I wasn’t quite as moved by the ending the second time, but I still got some shivers.
Here are the words to "Finale Two"
- Finale 2 Lyrics
VALJEAN (to COSETTE)
Now you are here
Again beside me
And now I can die in peace
For now my life is blessed...
COSETTE
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye!
VALJEAN
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
I'll obeyI will try.On this page
I write my last confession
Read it well
When I, at last, am sleeping
It's a story
Of those who always loved you
Your mother gave her life for you
Then gave you to my keeping.
FANTINE
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you
Lord in Heaven
Look down on him in mercy.
VALJEAN
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.
VALJEAN, FANTINE, EPONINE
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation
Take my love
For love is everlasting
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God.
CHORUS
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes...Tomorrow comes!
2 comments:
I saw a lot of theatre during my 6 years in England, but nothing compared to Les Miz. A close second was Michael Crawford as the Phantom. I have seen Les Miz by several touring companies in different venues and brought friends on the basis of my rave reviews. Some even claimed to be a Broadway company. It must have been a different Broadway than I anticipated. Unfortunately, they were very amateurish and did not have the voices or sound systems to carry this beautiful music. Granted, it is much harder to tour with a show in arenas designed for other events than to have the perfect acoustics and permanent set afforded by one of Britain's wonderful stages.
I have only seen the video version with Liam Neeson, Claire Danes, Uma Thurman and Geoffrey Rush. It was a moving story, but I have never seen the musical version. (Course I don't go to plays and musicals very often. . .either haven't had the resources or haven't taken the time.)
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