Les Miserables (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Okay, since so many "raved" about my Wicked review, OF COURSE I'm going to discuss my thoughts on my FAVOURITE, Les Miserables. :)

Monday night we had the outstanding opportunity to go to The Queen's Theatre and see Les Miserables.

Now, if you've never seen it or heard the music or don't know the story, a part of me wants to ask how, "How have you lived your life without it??!" but then I realize, I have parents who took us to musicals and the symphony and performances like that when we were younger. I grew up listening to the Phantom soundtrack and singing along to The Sound of Music. And although I may not have appreciated them at the time, I am now forever grateful for having such cultured parents that exposed me to such things. Love you guys:)

Okay, so I can't even begin to explain my excitement as we were on our way. This was my third time seeing it and the first time, I was fairly little. I watched the first act and didn't really know what was going on and at intermission decided to read the program to see what was happening and going to happen. After reading the second act, I naively looked at my mom and said, "They all die!" She laughed and reassured me it was okay. But then, as the second act began, I promptly fell asleep. Until the very end.

Yes. I was a child, what do you expect.

Then last year, my best friend, Jeff's, high school was putting it on as their spring musical and he asked if I would go to see it and support him. So my parents and I went and my expectations weren't that high because it was just a high school, but OH MY GOODNESS. I was still blown away.

The emotion and power in the characters and the music. OH, THE MUSIC! Just absolutely incredible. I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried during the final number. A part of me felt silly but then I realized, "This is the reason this is a classic" It makes you think and feel for these characters that you've only just met and known for maybe 3 hours.

So this time around, I was ready. I knew the story and the music and knew the emotional standard set by even that little high school. I was ready to be blown away. I settled in my (great) seat and waited with baited breath and wide eyes for it to start.

I remember not breathing for the first 30 seconds. That beat in "Look Down" sucks you in and you're theirs for the next three hours. Jean Val Jean was an amazing Tenor and nailed the role perfectly. He was a big guy and just suited it well. He also played the Phantom for a short time so, yeah, he's gotta be good. Then Javert. Not what I expected at first but he proved me wrong. His voice was so rich and powerful and his portrayal of the "villain" was perfect. The slight naivety in his actions, that he's just "doing his job" and doesn't realize the pain he's causing others. He was outstanding.

The female roles I wasn't as impressed with. Fontaine could have been better but she was a very good actress. Cozette, again, could have been a better voice. But Eponine exceeded my expectations. This time around, I really connected with her the most. You could tell she had an incredible voice and I just wanted her to belt it out. And, her acting matched her singing skill. She was nothing short of phenomenal.

I also loved the set. Which, I know, sounds lame, but it was this tiny little set that I didn't think much of but the whole thing was like a lazy susan and the whole stage could turn around in circles and it made for a really cool scene changes.

In case you were wondering, yes, I cried. 4 times. When Fontaine died, Eponine died, during "Bring Him Home", and from when Val Jean died to the end. At the end, I was pretty much bawling.. Not a big deal. Just the most surreal moment of my life.

Seeing Les Mis in LONDON. I never thought that this day would come. I remember when my parents would leave us and travel and I would be so jealous. Traveling has always been something I've wanted to do and although Argentina wasn't the greatest experience of my life, I still love being able to say I HAVE experienced it. Being here is amazing and I don't want it to end. All the incredible opportunities we have here just blow my mind. Les Mis was the cherry on top... For now :)