This and That – Les Misérables!

Greetings! Les Misérables! The title itself ignites the mind with anticipation. I was privileged to watch this funny, heartbreaking, touching, and absolutely breathtaking musical with some fantastic friends this afternoon. At intermission, dear Juliana giggled and said, “You sniffled and cried through the entire 1st Act!” I was quick to retort, “Not true, young lady! I did not cry during Master of the House.”

The sets, the costumes, the singing, the acting, and the orchestra were to die for. Massive, three-story houses and buildings seemingly floated across the stage, lit with lights that glowed through misty fog. Barricades turned. Shots rang out. People screamed. Children cried. And above it all, the soaring beauty of powerful voices singing some of the most glorious music ever written for the stage.

Toward the end of Act II, when Jean Valjean sings the lyric, “To love another person is to see the face of God,” to keep from crying out loud, I bit my index finger so hard that the imprint almost drew blood. I was a wreck, but it was worth it. Today was my fourth time to see Les Misérables, and I was not disappointed. Big hug.

(Originally posted February 4, 2024)