What is it about this show that has captured the entire world? I have been pondering this question for the past week or so and I have come up with a couple of possibilities. You have to first go back to the book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This book, which is one of the longest books ever published, was an amazing success when it was published in 1862. Hugo was born when Napoleon was still in power and for much of his youth he was a committed royalist. However, as he grew and saw more of France he became a Republican and through his writing a defender of the poor and mistreated. I said recently that is he were alive today, he would have been with the occupy wall street movement. Les Miserables, which was his last novel was his message to France about the social injustices that he saw through his life. The book has two stories running throughout. The first is the story of the June 1832 Paris uprising and the other, which is more well known, is the story of Jean Valjean. The first story is the story of social justice. The second story is a story of love and redemption. I think it is these two themes that captures the hearts of the novel’s readers.

The musical strips away much of the social justice story and focuses on epic story of Jean Valjean, a man who was jailed for stealing some bread and ends up spending 19 years in prison. The 1832 uprising does play a big part in the musical in the second act, but it is Valjean’s story that is dominant. We see a man who has fallen as far as one can fall and then he picks himself up, recreates himself and ultimately learns to love and be loved. There is probably no greater story than that.

On December 25^th at 7:30 we saw the movie Les Miserables. Let me start by saying is was amazing. One of the best film experiences I have ever had. It is certainly one of the best movie musicals ever made. I can throw lots of praise on it, but instead I will try to explain why I think it is so good. First off before saying anything about the movie, I have to say that anyone that tries to compare it to the Broadway Musical is doing an injustice to both the film and the stage musical. The musical film is based on the stage version, but it is really a different performance. The major songs are the same, but there are so many little changes throughout the film, that it is a new production. That being said, I know it will be hard for most people to refrain from making comparisons. I will endeavor not to do so as much as possible.

Here are a few reasons why this is an exceptional film.

Much has been said about the fact that they did all the singing live. Most movie musicals are made by having the cast do all of the singing in the studio and then when they do the filming (sometimes up to a year later) they lip sync to the recorded music. The problem with this is that they have to make certain acting decisions when they are recording the music which is hard when they are not in costume or on set. A year later they may not even remember what they were thinking when they did something in the singing. Filming live singing on the other hand, allows the actors to act while they are singing and allow the way they are singing fit the scene they are filming. They can also do multiple takes and make slight changes in the way they sing. The result is really nothing that has been heard in a movie musical before. I will not give specifics so people who have not seen the film will not have too much information, but suffice it to say this was the way to go.

There are many changes from the original stage musical. Having run for over 25 years Les Miserables has had many minor changes over the years. Some of that was incorporated into the film, but there are scenes they can do in a film that they cannot on the stage and those little scenes need more music and lyrics, and they certainly came through. When they made these scenes, they did not just make them up, they went back to the book and took them right from Hugo’s writing. As such there are a few things that are cleared up in this version that leave you somewhat confused in the stage version.

The makeup and costuming are incredible. Go see for yourself!

The acting and singing are amazing. Hugh Jackson is the perfect choice for Valjean. Many people thought that he was not right for the job, but he was perfect. Most movie goers will think of him as Wolverine from the X-Men, but his background is stage musicals. He conveys so much emotion in his singing and makes the transformation from a downtrodden convict to a wealthy factory owner to a wealthy recluse with ease. Anne Hathaway is, in my humble opinion the best in the movie. It is clearly her best role and her voice is angelic! Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne are great as Cossette and Marius, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are superb as the Thenardiers. That leaves Russell Crowe as Javert. Many say he is totally miscast and his singing is not up to the standards of the rest of the cast. I can only say that I agree that his voice is the weakest in the bunch, but his treatment of the song “Stars” is fantastic and his acting is beyond reproach. He conveys so much from a single glance without anything being said or sung.

This production allows people who never had the chance to see Les Mis on the stage to experience its majesty. I strongly urge everyone to see it!

Here are a few clips from the film. You can see some of what I am talking about in terms of acting choices in the singing.

Enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx7K42uyrts

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHwyCp6ah6U

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVFr56GR1mo

The post Les Miserables first appeared on The Long and Winding Road.

Kander and Ebb were also well known for their collaboration with Liza Minnelli and they received an Emmy for their TV special Liza with a Z.

Their shows were groundbreaking. Their musical style had never been seen before and they were not afraid of using sex (or at least the idea of sex) through their work. Both shows were choreographed by Bob Fosse who’s style matched up very well with their own.

The first clip below is from the movie version of Chicago and the second from a tribute when Kander and Ebb were given the Kennedy Center Honors.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNFryicvxeE]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AxTKiVEadg]

The post Song of the day first appeared on The Long and Winding Road.

Rather than say much, I am embedding 6 youtubes some from the original casts.

Enjoy!

Getting Married Today from Company
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bujg9erFH48]

Being Alive from Company
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8kYfPoHyos]

Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f5lJee0A8g]

Putting it Together from Sunday in the Park with George
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozm7Zqeg4Ko]

Agony from Into the Woods
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc_GEhu6oCY]

Children will Listen from Into the Woods
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hh3l39Ifwg]

The post Song of the day first appeared on The Long and Winding Road.

For more than two decades Andrew Lloyd Webber has been the king of Broadway musicals.  Starting with Jesus Christ Superstar all the way to Phantom of the Opera he has been at the top.  just to see what he means to the British, while Paul McCartney and Elton John are both knighted, Lloyd Webber has been made a life peer.  He hold the title of Baron Lloyd Webber of Sydmonton.  This entitles him a seat in the House of Lords in Parliament.

Anyway, he has has some incredible shows and I am including here songs from Evita and Cats.  From Evita, I have Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.  This clip comes from the movie with Madonna.  I debated this one.  I could include audio from the original Broadway cast with Patty Lu Pone, but I think Madonna is just a tad better.  The Cats clip is from the original Broadway case with Betty Buckley.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdD3MUFKleQ]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivIT0TQ4vRM]

The post Song of the day first appeared on The Long and Winding Road.

Today I am posting two songs from the movie Rent.  I loved this show in the theater and the movie is actually wonderful as well (not all movie versions are).  So to start Broadway week, here is La Vie Boheme and Santa Fe.  The two more recognizable songs in Rent are of course Seasons of Love (which has been in song of the day) and Light my Candle.  However, La Vie Boheme is probably the one song in the show that sort of sums up much of the story.  Santa Fe is just one of my favorites from the show.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czJHTEeEJmU]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KppaQ3HwO_k]

The post Song of the day first appeared on The Long and Winding Road.