So I have a serious problem. It is called Les Miserables. I'm sooooooo obsessed!!!! I CANNOT wait for the movie to come out in December, but I've also been a huge fan waaay before all this movie hype. My brother Logan and I sat and watched the 10th anniversary concert of Les Miserables on PBS with our Mom when I was like 7 and he was 5 or 6... and since then, our family's been hooked!
(and I'm pretty sure Logan's still as big of a fan as me, if I recall correctly, he "freaking wants to see that movie so bad!")
And as we became completely fascinated by the story, and the music, and the sheer epic-ness that is Les Miserables, my dear mother, ever the mom to support her children in any artistic endeavors, let us listen to the CD all the time. I'm not kidding you, I could sing you the whole musical from start to finish. Musical interludes included.
So as I've been preparing to go see it live this weekend for the second time in my life, and as the movie teaser trailer was just recently released, I've watched all the clips of all my favorite performances over and over these past few weeks. And I feel like, before you get a chance to see the movie when it comes out in December, I have to show you some of the most noted and memorable performers in these beloved roles. Obviously, these ones on my blog are my favorites, but seeing as I'm such a huge fan and have seriously scoured the internet for as many different performances as I could possibly find (including even, Ricky Martin as Marius...), I feel like I can confidently tell you these really are some of the best.
So here goes:
1. Ruthie Henshall as Fantine singing "I Dreamed a Dream" in the 10th anniversary edition. I distinctly remember mocking her hair with Logan when we watched this for the first time... but this has become my FAVORITE recording of this song EVER. Fantine also happens to be my favorite character and this is my favorite song... (therefore when I tell you that I'm not a fan of Anne Hathaway and I'm more than a little disappointed that she's cast as Fantine in the movie, you might understand why.)
Honeslty though, I think Ruthie Henshall's voice is one of the most beautiful voices. And she's got incredible control. If I could choose, I would want my voice to be a combination of hers, my mom's and Billie Holiday's... just sayin.
2. Lea Salonga as Epoinine. Ahh, Eponine, so romantically tragic and my favorite Les Mis character throughout my teenage years. (ha) Lea Salonga though is just brilliant and super talented... you might recognize her voice... she's the singing voice of Jasmin and Mulan in the Disney movies. Her tenacious style of singing though also does the character of Eponine justice and I love it!
(look out on this video... the music starts with a kind of loud boom!)
3. Next, you have to watch the newest Valjean, Alfie Boe. He has one of the silkiest tenor voices I think I've ever heard (and I'm a fan of pretty tenor voices like my Grandpa Merlin's or Mandy Patinkin's), so you just have to listen for a bit to his version of "Bring Him Home". It's really rather lovely.
4. But as for the best performance of Valjean, you must see Mr Colm Wilkinson. He was the original Valjean at the Barbican theater in London. He was Valjean at the 10th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall. He made a guest appearance at the end of the 25th anniversary, where he kind of out-sang Alfie Boe when they sang "Bring Him Home" together... and Colm was just like 67... no big deal. Aaaand, he'll be appearing as the Bishop in the movie version. Whew! He's soooo good.
Obvs.
I cry every time.
So it's alright, don't worry I know I'm a nerd.
And I recognized that I'm obsessed.
And believe me, this only scrapes the surface of all I could tell you about this musical.
Grateful for: Tickets to Les Miserables on Saturday.
And YouTube.
