You have to remember: this is not a video of an actual performance that was staged for Broadway. This was a specially arranged performance to be videotaped. You don’t see actual movement on stage as you would have seen in the actual show. I am in my 50s, and I saw this play on Broadway about five times in the 1990s. It was phenomenal. But while you see singing performances in the video you’re reacting to, the Broadway production was staged for ACTING as well. Fully.
Do yourself a favor. See the Les Miserables movie starring Liam Neeson. Not the musical version. You will appreciate the story much more. It came out in 1998.
What? No way! Ever since I saw this at ten I always wished I could have been part of the choir. For my birthday once I even got a replica of those T shirts.You guys looked like you were putting everything you had into that show and that's what made this production so special. Talking to you here is like meeting a hero, so thank you so much for this amazing performance!
Ruthie Henshall's I Dreamed A Dream tears your soul apart. "But he was gone when autumn came..." Wow! You feel the betrayal, the abandonment, the anguish Fantine suffered.
I love that you're so invested by just hearing the songs. The only drawback to the anniversary performances is that you're not getting the experience of them acting out the scenes along with singing. There are still touring companies, so if you ever get the opportunity to go see it, I'd highly suggest it. It's stunning.
Still haven't had the pleasure to see it live 😥Only touring musicals I have seen are Jesus Christ Superstar and RENT. Both were fantastic but I really want to see this along with A Chorus Line (I did get to see Marvin Hamlisch in concert LOL) and Hair
@toriboy25 A Chorus Line was the first musical I ever saw on Broadway around 1982 with my Jr. High School band. Each year we'd see a musical and then play one of the songs as part of our school concert. Great experiences.
Fun fact! The guy who plays Jean Valjean (Colm Wilkinson) came back in the 2012 film version of Les Miserables to play the bishop, literally and metaphorically passing on the silver candlesticks to a new Valjean. I thought that was a really nice touch. (Also, if you're worried about mispronouncing the title, most people just call it Les Mis, pronounced "Lay Mizz.")
I though like well this information is soo well known that it is common knowledge 🤣 then i remeber yeah not eveyone watches this musicle eveydat for few months 🤣 and i try to find any possible version of Les Mis
I feel like I’m the last type of person to love theater, but this was my mom’s favorite musical and this 10th anniversary she saw in person. I still watch it to this day
When you said "I love this" I almost teared up. This concert is one of my early memories- we had it on VHS and I would watch it over and over - it is so cool experiencing it again for the first time through your eyes.
The moment the music came on for the priest, I started bawling. I was listening while driving. I’m sure other drivers must have thought I was having a horrible Christmas breakdown. Not at all. Gees I love Les Mis.
It’s amazing that you took on this type of reaction. No one has done this as far as I know and I am in awe of you for doing it. I have seen this musical at least seven or eight times in five different cities. It is my favorite. You will be hooked on it as well. When Fantine sings her solo the whole auditorium is so still you could hear a pin drop. Jean Valjean tosses away his parole papers and somehow goes to a new city and works in a factory, buys it, and eventually becomes mayor. This is the point you saw and kind of wonder what happened here? When you actually go to the musical they pass out a playbook and for each new act it gives a little synopsis so you know what’s going on. Sometimes you have to see it a few times before you really get it but you are doing an amazing job of understanding it at the very first time you’re watching it. Kudos to you!
A few points, SalvoG: 1) Les Mis is the most widely seen musical world-wide and also likely has the most dedicated fandom. I'm one of those countless millions. 2) I envy you the experience of hearing this for the first time. Soak it all in, and then pledge to yourself that you will be sure to see the stage production, hopefully a top-quality one, as soon as you can. It'll be worth it to you watch the play while hearing all this wonderful music. 3) I've seen countless plays/musicals on Broadway and elsewhere, but Les Mis kind of took over my life when I happened to see it in London in late summer '88. About 20 minutes in, when Fantine was confessing her lost dream, I found myself crying. At that time, Les MIs was more than a three-hour show... I knew I was in trouble, but it was trouble of the very best kind. I've since seen the show about 38 times, mostly on Broadway, including once in Paris - that was so cool since it was staged at a theater not far from where Victor Hugo's barricade stood. 4) SalvoG, you'll read countless opinions about the various performers in this 10th anniversary show, and lots of all-out attacks on the 2012 movie. People have the right to their opinions. I'd suggest you pay them little heed and just enjoy the finest musical ever produced, and don't be shy about watching the 2012 film. I promise, you will be a fan for life. 5) Finally, thank you so much for your reaction, even though you've barely gotten started. Many of us have been waiting for someone to dive in...
The original Broadway production of LES MISERABLES was one of the first musicals I ever saw in the late 80s, so it has a special place in my heart. So glad you are watching and reacting to this! They called this 10th anniversary concert the "Dream Cast" for a reason.
My mom took me to NYC in 1990, I was 16. We were at the Times Square rush ticket booth, in line, when people came through selling Les Mis tickets. There had been a fire in the theater, so they had shut down. They had opened back up a week earlier than expected, and needed to fill seats. That's how I saw Les Mis on Broadway, and 32 years later, I'm still in love with it.
Watching your mind open up to this is amazing. And yes, these singers study for YEARS to be able to sing like this. Most Broadway actors are "Triple Threats". They ACT, DANCE, and SING. They train forever, always learning more of their craft. I am almost 50 and still take voice lessons after decades. Always learning, always getting better.
You know how you were so impressed by the turn (rotating stage) in Hamilton? It was revolutionary and so cool in Les Mis. Really blew me away. And the lighting effects to create the sewers, the River,
Given what a huge Les Mis fanboy LMM is I feel like there must have been a moment where somebody asked if he wanted a rotating stage for Hamilton and he just went 🤩
These actors are all top-level Broadway and West End professionals. Years of experience. Similar to those who have roles in Phantom of the Opera and Evita.
Les Miz is the only musical I have ever seen with no knowledge of any of the music ahead of time...and I fell in love with every note the first time I heard it.....wonderful, wonderful piece of artistry.
That was me. I first saw it in London in 1998 because my son said I had to see it. We arrived that day and I kept dozing because we had been up for 24 hours but I loved it so much that I would jerk awake. I loved it so much from the very first!! ! Now I’ve seen it so many times and listened to it literally 100s of times. This cast is my absolute favorite.
@@SunnyBlue77 We could have been there the same night. I now have my 7 and 10 year old grandsons liking it and we often listen to it as I take them to school.
This concert celebrated the 10th anniversary of the original West End (London) production. Producer Cameron Mackintosh selected the line-up of performers from the casts of various productions around the world. Colm Wilkinson is stellar here as the main character Jean Valjean. He originated the English-language role in the West End in 1985, then went over to Broadway to open the musical there in 1987. Everyone has their favourite Valjean and he was mine. In 1987, when Les Misérables was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, it won 8, including Best Musical but Wilkinson shockingly did not win Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. I suspect it was because he split the votes with Terrence Mann (nominated in the same category for playing Javert), thus allowing someone else to win.
Colm is THE voice for Jean Valjean. While everyone tries to have their own spin on it, he has been and always will be the bar all others are measured against. I'd say he's the only singer inextricably linked to the character from Les Mis.
I have been in awe of LesMis for over 25 yrs, know every song and the entire story deep in my soul but have never seen a single production of it, only know it from the CD, the book and this production on PBS. I grew up in rural CO and it shows the power of these songs that this story and music are a massive part of my life without the original context. I don't love all Broadway, but man this is powerful stuff musically, I'm glad you're getting to experience it.
I have a very similar story to yours. I'm from the Midwest and didn't have any major touring companies coming to my location until this last decade or so. So, I grew up with musical movies, soundtracks, and PBS productions. This one here is my all-time fave stage musical, and it set the bar REALLY high for what I thought all musical songs/scores and performances should sound and look like. I FINALLY did see Les Miserables in person about 5 years ago for the first time when a touring company came to my neighboring city. It was such a pleasure to finally see. There were even bits I didn't know existed in the show. Such a great experience. Hope you get to experience it as well.
This is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE musical stage play!!! The music is haunting and bone chilling!!! This is the BEST version and I have seen MANY!!! This cast, in my opinion, is the best I have seen!! Javert goes strictly by the book and is relentless!!! This play has been to town 7 times since I first time I saw it and of those 7 times I have attended 6 of those. Watch it over and over as much as you like, it is worth it!!! I read the unabridged version of Victor Hugo's book, Les Miserables. It filled in many gaps in the story. I found it helpful!!!
Ruthie Henshall who plays Fantine is well known in British musical circles as a superstar. It’s a shame she’s not better known outside of those spheres as she’s amazing.
I always have people watch this first when I introduce them to Les Mis! It’s beyond amazing. Context on something that wasn’t shown. The bishop gave Jean Val Jean silver candlesticks when he was brought back by the soldiers. That’s why Jean Val Jean had such a reaction besides just being given the silverware that he stole. The Bishop essentially paid for his new life both physically and spiritually in that moment.
This is one of the best performances of this show that you can watch. The Symphonic Version from 1987 (I think) is absolutely incredible as well (audio only). The man playing Enjorlas (Anthony Warlow) absolutely MUR-DERS it. Phenomenal. Familiar names from this version are in the same recording: Philip Quast (Javert) and Michael Ball (Marius) and maybe the Thenardiers and others. The movie could be good to REALLY get the sense of Fantine's shattered dreams in I Dreamed a Dream. I saw the show on Broadway and it was one of the most powerful things I'd ever seen. This was mid/late 90's and I was 11/12, around there. I wasn't exactly sure what was going on but I knew it moved me and I knew it was immensely powerful. I'm glad you're reacting to this show. It's brilliant.
Yesss, delighted to find this. Phillip Quast is stupendous, I can't wait to see your reaction to some of his solos. The actor himself is Australian and there's a video of an interview he did about how he approaches the role of Javert, it's so great. This was the first musical I ever watched, and the first purchase I ever made with my own hard-earned money is the collection they did of this musical where they went and found the best actors for every role in each production, to highlight some lesser-known ones too. The actress they chose for Eponine was from the Japanese production and she re-learned the role in English for the recording!
Lea Salonga (eponine) is actually from the Philippines. She went from originating the Role of Kim in Miss Saigon (in London) to Eponine (also in the London Production). She also Is the sining voices of Mulan and Jasmine in the Disney Movies.
I'd read regarding a Shakespeare play that "loosened hair" was a sign of madness. So when Quast loosens his hair in "Stars," it's a sign, not only of his actions, of his being lost in the world, but of descent into madness.
@@wendya1580He looses his hair in “Javert’s Suicide,” as it’s the sign that the absolutist world view he’d built has just failed him and he doesn’t know how to reconcile the villain he’s built Valjean to be to the man who’d let him go to save his life at the barricade.
If my local theatre company was to put Les Mis on again (they did around 20 years ago) I don’t care if I have to lick the floors, I want to be part of it. Les Mis is my all time favourite production.
I am so sorry...this is kinda long. I apologize. But there is a lot to unpack about this story. So, here it goes... I did a full paper on the novel 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo back when I was in school, and the score of the musical helped me immensely. It was right around the time that 'Les Miz' was one of the two hottest tickets around, kinda like Hamilton still is today. I basically have the full score memorized. Hugo, who is one of the most celebrated and honored writers in French literature still today, wrote the novel as a commentary on society and how unfair, how unjust, and how hard life is. This is a truly classic work of literature that has reached an even wider audience due to this musical, both on stage and on film. As Hugo himself wrote... "So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century-the degradation of man through pauperism, the corruption of woman through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light-are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world;-in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of Les Misérables cannot fail to be of use." - Victor Hugo, 1862, the preface to 'Les Miserables' - 16:55 - Colm Wilkinson, who plays Jean Valjean, was a rock singer who became a theater performer. He is from Ireland and is an Irish Tenor. He originated roles like Che Gueverra in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 'Evita' as a concept album of the full musical it became, Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' as a workshop piece and later in Toronto, and created the role of Valjean in London and in New York. He is most associated with this role...he even made an appearance as the Bishop of Digne in the film version, giving the candlesticks and the torch of the role to Hugh Jackman...yeah, Wolverine sings and played Valjean. More on that later... - 20:35 - Dude, the scale of this story is nothing short of EPIC. Dozens of characters, spanning decades, locations, and events. It also has a bit of historical authenticity as actual events in France inform the story taking place from 1815 to 1832. The novel, unabridged, was well over 1,000 pages long! Like Hamilton, the original production used a rotating stage to help change scenes and locations. The show was originally in French, then translated into English, and as the show's popularity grew it was translated into other languages (you'll see that later in this concert!!!) - 23:38 - Fantine is one of the most tragic, heartbreaking characters in literature and on stage. She has incredible music she sings, equal to the horrors she endures due to a society based very much on the Old Testament interpretation of Christianity where sin is everywhere, and an unmarried woman is a "whore", regardless if she has a child. "I Dreamed A Dream" is one of the biggest hit songs from the show. For a REALLY heartbreaking rendition...see the film version, where Anne Hathaway knocked the song out of the park and took home an Oscar for it! Ruthie Henshall, who plays Fantine here, is an amazing talent as well...a huge star of stage musicals in London's West End. At the time they filmed this, Ruthie was the definitive Fantine even though she did not originate the role. I mentioned the film...The film was released in 2012, with Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert), Anne Hathaway (Fantine), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), Sasha Baron Cohen (Thenardier), Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thenardier), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Colm Wilkinson (The Bishop) and Aaron Tveidt (Enjolras). It is hit and miss as a film, with some amazing performances, especially Hathaway, Redmayne, and Barks in her film debut. They sang it live, so the performances are raw. I personally had problems with some of the cast. It was nominated for 8 Oscars, winning 3 (Hathaway as Best Supporting Actress, Make-up and Hairstyling, and Sound Mixing).
I was OBSESSED with this musical in high school. This is the concert version, if you go see a production of it in the theatre, it is much more like the Hamilton production you watched. Even with a similar rotating stage used to excellent effect. This is my absolute favorite version of the music. Different recordings have different collections of actors singing the parts, but this is the ultimate cast in my opinion. And as for your question of is an amazing singing voice a prerequisite for doing stuff like this, in short, yes. It's talent, but it's also years and years of training. In musical theatre you have to act your butt off and often dance while hitting those crazy notes. Then, often, the actors run off stage and come back on in a completely different costume a few seconds later. There's usually about three technicians working backstage for every single performer you see. I've been working as a technician in professional theatre for 20 years, it really does take a huge amount of planning and rehearsal to pull these productions off day after day. This one was an event, but remember, on Broadway, they do this every night, and twice on Sunday.
The. Best. I Dreamed a Dream performance ever! No one can convince me otherwise. She's also magic in the scene where she confronts the "mayor" for letting them throw her out.
To answer your question at 12:20: Yes, professional musical theatre singing is top-notch. These are some of the best singers in the world. This is an entirely different genre of singing than the singing we're more accustomed to hearing in pop culture. Musical theatre is cut-throat. The auditions for leads in big musical productions would be equivalent to an audition for the lead role in a Spielberg movie. And for a long time, musical theatre had a very distinctive sound and way of singing...I think 80s/90s Disney played a role in changing up their sound a bit (people like Lea Salonga, for example). Now days you'll find musicals showcasing all different styles of singing...or rapping! (Hamilton, of course). But you HAVE to be a good singer in a musical, or you'll absolutely be replaced by someone better. There's a reason people believe theatre singers/actors are the best and most talented in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, unless you're a musical theatre star, you get paid the least too. They work in very old theatres as well...8 shows a week! Everyone sounds amazing in this specific production of Les Mis because the show's producer Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh hand-picked his, quote, "dream cast." The leads here are all well-known musical theatre professionals, many of whom played the role they're playing in this production at some point in their career. Some actors, like Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), originated their roles in the very first production of Les Miserables. Look up Mackintosh. If you don't know him, I'm sure he at least looks familiar to you. He made a fortune signing on as producer and funding shows that went on to be very successful. And he got really rich because he realized the importance of touring these popular productions in cities around our nations and starting them up in various countries around the world. Smart move!
I remember when I first watched this as a 13 year old and was so impressed by Philip Quast as Javert that I was like "mom, you have to see this" and watched him especially on repeat many times. I loved the musical so much that I read the book Les Miserables is based on in Norwegian as a 13 year old, something I'm still quite proud of seeing as it was probably the biggest and most adult books I'd read at that time. I still love so many performances in this concert-version so much and I think watching your reactions sound like a great time.
Yes, singers on Broadway are the best in the business! They have to sing (and often dance) LIVE seven or eight nights a week. No editing, no dubbing, certainly no lipsynching! I love how animated you are by the power of this amazing production!
@@pikeybot Opera singers watching broadway: "Oh, they're lovely, but why are they wearing microphones?? Opera singer blows out the amps accidentally " Broadway, West End, Opera, Musicals, Dance, Acting, it's all so great and so much fun to watch and try to do!
This isn't Broadway. Of course there are amazing performers on broadway too, no argument there, but this is London. Each one of the people that performed in this 10th anniversary concert were or still are West End actors. The English translation of Les Mis started in the West End, which is why their performances are so famed, they always make sure to have the very best casting and remains the worlds longest running production.
@@rempandaActually, while most of the actors were from the West End, they were selected from Broadway and the Australian productions too. This included people such as Judy Kuhn as Cosette and Michael Maguire as Enjorlas.
I am SO here for all the parts of this reaction! Love that you’re doing it and you’re enjoying it! I LOL’d at your face at the lyric “Sweet Jesus doesn’t care”. The story is gut wrenching so brace yourself. I was literally openly sobbing at the end when I saw it live (as was nearly everyone in the theatre)-and I’m not a cryer. This cast is amazing.
I always cry at Bring Him Home, but only when Colm Wilkinson sings it, because it was my mom's favorite song and she passed in 2015. I also cry at a certain scene at the barricades, mostly because Eponine is my favorite character.
Flipped out when I saw this on my feed. What a great choice! My fav musical by far. I can’t wait to see your reactions to the phenomenal performances to come. This is a huge cast made up of different companies so it’s bigger than the normal production, but it has the favorite performers from the first 10 years all in one concert. You HAVE to go to a performance one day. You should also watch the extras after the concert. They include songs with performers from international productions. And now that you’re addicted, watch the 25th concert as well!
After watching it for the first time in the 80’s I was shocked to realize that there was no speaking dialogue, only singing, so it’s considered an opera. I was like, but I’m not into operas. Oh wait, maybe am…Since then I have seen it 7 more times in different places. Everyone should be privileged to see Les Mis at least once in their lifetime. It’s a masterpiece!
Phillip Quast who plays Javert in this is an Australian actor who used to be one of the hosts on a kids TV show called Play School. I was so blown away when I first saw this because that is all I knew him from.
I'm so excited for you! You're 8 minutes in and already invested. This 10th anniversary concert is how I discovered LesMis and the performance still brings me to tears. I love seeing the live productions but this performance has the absolute best performances from London's original cast. They evoke so much emotion standing there and singing, I wish I could have seen them live! This will always be my go-to performance. Please finish this one before you check out others. 💖💕💖
As someone who is OBSESSED with all things Les Mis, and Colm Wilkinson (and I've watched the 10th production a bunch of times) I loved this! It's cool to watch someone experience it all for the first time.
Love how involved you are with the story and the characters already. I don't want to spoil anything - but I think a little friendly reminder to have some tissues within reach as you continue is warranted. If you think it's emotional so far... oh boy, it gets SO much more intense as the show goes on.
This musical right here is the reason I got into musical theater. I was 15 years old and always had a fondness for it but I never really thought that I would become immersed into this world and pursue performing it. My parents gave me the greatest gift and that was a ticket to see this show. It was my first Broadway experience and I was blown away and shook to the core. It's really indescribable. I went on to see it live 18 more times. I cannot wait for you to see the rest of this.
I'm am beyond excited that you're doing the entire musical AND this version. This was my first musical to see on stage as a child and made me fall in love with musical theater. And you are correct that there are so many versions, but this is by far my favorite recorded version. I wish they recorded the play on stage as I absolutely hated the movie version. The broadway actors are incredibly talented and their voices are so powerful. Between this one and the 25 yr anniversary, I far prefer this version. Make sure you watch the encore at the end! Hope you enjoy it! Also, if you are looking for more recorded musicals to watch/react to after Les Misérables, you should do "Into the Woods" (1991 film). They recorded the stage version and Bernadette Peters is phenomenal.
This is a fantastic idea! I've have seen Les Mis live four times. Never get tired of it. The 10th anniversary is my favorite. Look forward to the rest of the episodes.
I have seen this Dream Cast 10-year anniversary several times, along with the 25-year edition. I have also seen several versions of the movie. I always cry.
So impressed that you decided to react to Les Mis. It is stunning seeing the musical firsthand, but it is just as stunning seeing it as the Anniversary concert. Make sure you watch this one all the way to the end, including past the end credits, there is an AMAZING performance at the end.
This whole musical is filled with incredible music/lyrics/performances that touch one's soul. I took my older brother to see this (who is an emotional rock) and he said it was the 1st show/movie that ever made him cry! A truly incredible masterpiece of storytelling ^_^ thank you for sharing your reaction!
These are some of the greatest musical theatre legends of their generation - and some of the greatest of all time. The best of the best pulled together for the anniversary concert. You don't have to be a great singer to be in general theatre but musical theatre stars are usually stunning natural talents and world-class trained singers and actors. Not only do they have to have voices to carry an entire show, they also tell the story through their acting, and often do 8 shows a week! They are the athletes of the musical world ❤
This concert was the 10th anniversary DREAM CAST... the best of the best for each character... This is my all time favorite cast and concert... the music, the story... it will draw you in... and you WILL be forever changed....
The original show was written by 2 French men. It had very little success in France and the musical is still played in London since 1985. Other country still play it. A very good movie "les Miserables" 2012, by tom Hooper. With really singing Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddy Redmayne. So emotional. With the same songs
Hello..new to the channel..I was lucky enough to have discovered les mis when I was 16 on a chorus class trip to see it on Broadway.. I had never been to a Broadway play and had no idea what to expect..I happened to be sitting next to our teacher and lets just say at one point we looked at each other and both had tears streaming down our faces..I was hooked from the very first note..I still cry every time I hear or have seen it live..so glad you decided to take this journey..and for the record, I don't cry easily or often but this get me every time. Lol
I have seen Les Mis five times live. It is a work of utter genius and humanity. It speaks to every important theme of human existence: love, death, war, tragedy, comedy, trust, betrayal, revenge, justice, honour, integrity, compassion. I could go on. Watching it again through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time is pretty special, so thank you for taking on this reaction. You need tissues for the rest! Last time I saw it I was in the front row had a stuff a handkerchief in my mouth at one point because I was sobbing so hard and didn't want to distract the superlative actors. Yes, musical theatre actors have to be world class singers. Please, please, if you get the chance to watch a fully staged version, DO IT! Oh, and if you want to see some more world class musical theatre singing, watch the Britain's Got Talent audition by (eventual winner) Sydnie Christmas. She sings Tomorrow from Annie in a way that will break your heart.
Les Mis was the first show I saw on Broadway. I own the DVD of this concert. Thank you so much for doing this - it is an amazing musical, and they call this "The Dream Cast" for a reason!
Regarding the "prerequisite" question you asked: if you want to work in *musical* theatre, yes, you do have to sing well! Different musical roles have different vocal demands, but a show like Les Miz definitely needs you to be a strong singer because it's entirely sung and the music is so vocally athletic. Being a good dancer doesn't hurt either, but not all musicals are dance-heavy. If you're not a strong singer, though, there are plenty of actors who only work in non-musical plays!
Lea Salonga playing Eponine singing On My Own for this concert is the gold standard of the song. In the 25th anniversary show of Les Miserable Lea plays Fantine and sings I Dreamed a Dream, it is amazing. Also if you want to watch a different musical next I recommend the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at the O2 theater staring the amazing Sierra Boggess as Christine and Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom
4 parts? I am here for it. This is my favourite musical. I'm French Canadian. I've known this musical since before it was translated to English and became a worldwide phenomenon.
so i was walking around TH-cam , and found you and glad I did, because to watch someone's first reaction,to anything, especialy this 10th anniversary concert..I'm so happy and exstatic for your discovery!
I stumbled on this reaction and have to watch! This is my favorite musical of all time, and the 10th Anniversary is my favorite performance of it. I could geek out about so much when it comes to Les Mis. I feel like the orchestral parts and just the whole score are so beautiful that I have goosebumps and tear up every time I listen to this, and I’ve listened to it probably hundreds of times. Yes, it is a very depressing story, I’m not sure Victor Hugo could’ve written about the French Revolution and it be anything but. But it is a beautiful redemption tale, and the music is so sublime. And yeah, to make it in musical theater you have to be the whole package-a great singer, dancer (in many cases), and actor. To say it is highly competitive is an understatement. I studied instrumental music in college (violin major, cello minor) and used to want to be part of the orchestra for these shows, and even that is incredibly difficult. And the anniversary concerts of Broadway shows (The Phantom of the Opera also has one) is the best of the best.
I love that you are enjoying this so much. I know you are breaking the video up into a few parts, but I at least hope that your viewing was all the way through. It's not meant to be viewed in multiple sittings.
I saw the play before I found this concert recording and was blown away by how emotionally invested you can get with extraordinarily talented people just signing at a mic.
I chuckled when you said you were only going to interrupt during dialogue. :) In the book, Valjean, who is the main character, doesn't make an appearance till something like 150 pages in. We do get an extensive back story about the Bishop, though. The book came out in the 1860s, about 40 years after the events in this story. Remember, this was not the French Revolution, it happened about 50 years after the French Revolution. The book was very popular among soldiers during the US Civil War. Anne Hathaway won her Oscar for playing Fantine in the movie. The original of this musical was written in French, then translated into English It's my favorite musical of all time.
This is an amazingly emotional story and the voices are incredibly good. Salvo, it is worth listening to this story fully and the music is fully part of the lifting.
So glad you are doing this! I read the book years before I saw this. It was quite a read but the book was probably the thickest one i've ever read, since I didn't read the condensed version. a great and sad story. A lot of different cast over the years in this, but this particular one holds a special place in my heart. And yes if you are going to be on stage in a musical play, you definitely need to know how to sing very well. If not, then you simply don't try for musical plays. :)
This is my all time favorite musical and to see someone react to this performance and be immediately invested is soooo satisfying. I look forward to the other parts because it just keeps getting better and better.
This is possibly the best musical ever and the cast of the 10th Anniversary Concert is considered the dream cast. Everyone in the show is brilliantly talented. It's nice to see a new fan being created! (In musical theater at this level, yes, it is necessary to sound as good as possible. The people in this production were the best of the best.)
I am so excited you’re doing this!! This is one of my favorite versions of this play, although it’s not acted out. But everyone is amazing in it! I can’t wait to see the rest of the reactions to this!!
Cameron Mackintosh said that Les Miserables is a strange name for an English language show, and that during it’s first run he heard a ticket tout shouting “Lesbian Rebels! Lesbian Rebels! I’ve got tickets for Lesbian Rebels!” He decided against correcting him.
Yes, that is a prerequisite. The 10th Anniversary Concert captured every performance at its best. What it doesn't catch is the whole of the staging in the original musical, but you do get a sense of it. Keep this memory of Les Miz, and don't ruin it by watching the film.
I love this musical. I saw it on Thursday for the 12th time over the last 40 years! I love that it is dark and not the usual sunny zipity doo dah stuff. Also that you HAVE to be a superb singer as the songs are so demanding. And finally because the songs are so different but do reoccur in different guises throughout the performance. It is so well written, there is nothing like it.
Thank you for reacting to this! This was my introduction to Les Miserables! Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean) is amazing! He can do no wrong in my eyes! lol.
30 years ago this was the first musical I ever saw. When this anniversary special played on PPS I recorded it and still have that VCR tape to this day.
This concert version is what introduced me to this musical and it’s been my favorite musical ever since. I’m loving watching someone fall in love with it in the same way!
The 10th anniversary was always known as having the dream cast Colm Wilkinson Michael Ball Alum Armstrong Philip Lea plus so many others brilliant show
Colm Wilkinson... goosebumps every time, and I've seen this performance hundreds of times. It's cool you dig this right off the best. This is my favorite performance of Les Mis, but there are some other wonderful performances too. Stoked to watch the rest of your reactions to this, even if I'm a year late
Oh my stars how amazing you are for doing this!!! I am so glad I read Victor Hugos' novel years before I ever saw this musical live. It made the performance easier to follow! I believe I've seen this musical at least 6 times! Each time it was performed by a different cast and each time I was speechless! Thank you so much and I literally cannot wait to see your next post!!!
This was one of my first Broadway shows. My first one was Phantom of the opera, three times going to New York. Then, Les Mis, then my absolute all-time favorite the Secret Garden. Born in 1984, I was nine years old my first Broadway show, and New York for a Phantom of the opera. That’s when people used to actually dress for Broadway shows, not wear sneakers. And yes, I’m a bit of a snob. I grew up, listening to all of these original Broadway soundtracks. Also Vivaldi’s ring of mystery, Mozart’s magic flute, etc. I’m really happy that you did this. Good for you, expanding your knowledge.
Great start... and looking forward to the rest of the story. These are singers, who act in musical theatre. The 2012 movie took actors, and had them sing live - but focused on the acting - tells the story in a cinematic way the theatre struggles with, but still with incredible passion and emotion. Les Mis is timeless story of love, sacrifice, revenge and guilt. Brilliant.
I'm so glad you are doing some Broadway reactions! If this goes well for you, I highly recommend Into The Woods (stage version, not the movie). It's a mix of fairy tales, but not the Disney versions lol.
Saw this as a teen, at the Barbican in London in 1985, and was blown away by it, it still blows me away everytime I see it, or hear it... love sharing your first experience of this masterpiece in musical theatre....Colm Wilkinson will always be the best Val Jean for me, with Phillip Quast as Javier.....enjoy the journey of the rest of this...
I’ve been made aware of serval different versions of this, after we finish this concert, what one should we do next?
th-cam.com/video/_68veLkJAjI/w-d-xo.html
Slime tutorial with Ramin Karimloo
You have to remember: this is not a video of an actual performance that was staged for Broadway. This was a specially arranged performance to be videotaped. You don’t see actual movement on stage as you would have seen in the actual show. I am in my 50s, and I saw this play on Broadway about five times in the 1990s. It was phenomenal. But while you see singing performances in the video you’re reacting to, the Broadway production was staged for ACTING as well. Fully.
Do yourself a favor. See the Les Miserables movie starring Liam Neeson. Not the musical version. You will appreciate the story much more. It came out in 1998.
The 2012 one is trash. It was one of the most disappointing theater moments of my life.
@@kiraalldredge48 I sooo wanted to like the musical movie. It was poorly cast. IMHO.
I really liked the version with Liam Neeson.
I was in the choir for this concert 😁
😯😯😯
What? No way! Ever since I saw this at ten I always wished I could have been part of the choir. For my birthday once I even got a replica of those T shirts.You guys looked like you were putting everything you had into that show and that's what made this production so special. Talking to you here is like meeting a hero, so thank you so much for this amazing performance!
Wow! What a privilege to have such memories!!
that is my dream
My favorite!
“This is kind of depressing” oh my dude, you have no idea. Bring tissues.
Especially for "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"
Ruthie Henshall's I Dreamed A Dream tears your soul apart. "But he was gone when autumn came..." Wow! You feel the betrayal, the abandonment, the anguish Fantine suffered.
I love that you're so invested by just hearing the songs. The only drawback to the anniversary performances is that you're not getting the experience of them acting out the scenes along with singing. There are still touring companies, so if you ever get the opportunity to go see it, I'd highly suggest it. It's stunning.
Oh yes! Go see the musical live!!! Words cannot do it justice!
It's touring the U.S. currently. Indianapolis Indiana in March.
It was a revelation when I first saw this live. I weep every time, heck weeping now.
Still haven't had the pleasure to see it live 😥Only touring musicals I have seen are Jesus Christ Superstar and RENT. Both were fantastic but I really want to see this along with A Chorus Line (I did get to see Marvin Hamlisch in concert LOL) and Hair
@toriboy25 A Chorus Line was the first musical I ever saw on Broadway around 1982 with my Jr. High School band. Each year we'd see a musical and then play one of the songs as part of our school concert. Great experiences.
Fun fact! The guy who plays Jean Valjean (Colm Wilkinson) came back in the 2012 film version of Les Miserables to play the bishop, literally and metaphorically passing on the silver candlesticks to a new Valjean. I thought that was a really nice touch. (Also, if you're worried about mispronouncing the title, most people just call it Les Mis, pronounced "Lay Mizz.")
Oh God. What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing.
I though like well this information is soo well known that it is common knowledge 🤣 then i remeber yeah not eveyone watches this musicle eveydat for few months 🤣 and i try to find any possible version of Les Mis
I feel like I’m the last type of person to love theater, but this was my mom’s favorite musical and this 10th anniversary she saw in person. I still watch it to this day
When you said "I love this" I almost teared up. This concert is one of my early memories- we had it on VHS and I would watch it over and over - it is so cool experiencing it again for the first time through your eyes.
She is incredible. No one ever will reach the raw tone she could as Fantine. This is pristine and perfection.
"I like his voice" 😂. Yes, my dude. That's Colm. The man is a legend of musical theater.
The moment the music came on for the priest, I started bawling. I was listening while driving. I’m sure other drivers must have thought I was having a horrible Christmas breakdown. Not at all. Gees I love Les Mis.
It’s amazing that you took on this type of reaction. No one has done this as far as I know and I am in awe of you for doing it. I have seen this musical at least seven or eight times in five different cities. It is my favorite. You will be hooked on it as well. When Fantine sings her solo the whole auditorium is so still you could hear a pin drop. Jean Valjean tosses away his parole papers and somehow goes to a new city and works in a factory, buys it, and eventually becomes mayor. This is the point you saw and kind of wonder what happened here? When you actually go to the musical they pass out a playbook and for each new act it gives a little synopsis so you know what’s going on. Sometimes you have to see it a few times before you really get it but you are doing an amazing job of understanding it at the very first time you’re watching it. Kudos to you!
Agree with this! This is a tough cause they cover so much ground - especially in the first act.
The money for the factory came from the Bishop, who gave him the silver he'd stolen with strings attached - Valjean had to become honest.
I'm same as you. Nothing beats this being seen live. This is my fav show and story!
A few points, SalvoG:
1) Les Mis is the most widely seen musical world-wide and also likely has the most dedicated fandom. I'm one of those countless millions.
2) I envy you the experience of hearing this for the first time. Soak it all in, and then pledge to yourself that you will be sure to see the stage production, hopefully a top-quality one, as soon as you can. It'll be worth it to you watch the play while hearing all this wonderful music.
3) I've seen countless plays/musicals on Broadway and elsewhere, but Les Mis kind of took over my life when I happened to see it in London in late summer '88. About 20 minutes in, when Fantine was confessing her lost dream, I found myself crying. At that time, Les MIs was more than a three-hour show... I knew I was in trouble, but it was trouble of the very best kind. I've since seen the show about 38 times, mostly on Broadway, including once in Paris - that was so cool since it was staged at a theater not far from where Victor Hugo's barricade stood.
4) SalvoG, you'll read countless opinions about the various performers in this 10th anniversary show, and lots of all-out attacks on the 2012 movie. People have the right to their opinions. I'd suggest you pay them little heed and just enjoy the finest musical ever produced, and don't be shy about watching the 2012 film. I promise, you will be a fan for life.
5) Finally, thank you so much for your reaction, even though you've barely gotten started. Many of us have been waiting for someone to dive in...
Nothing will ever beat the 10th anniversary
I have to say i absolutely love this one but i think i have found the match....not such a good recording but a match in quality
The original Broadway production of LES MISERABLES was one of the first musicals I ever saw in the late 80s, so it has a special place in my heart. So glad you are watching and reacting to this! They called this 10th anniversary concert the "Dream Cast" for a reason.
My mom took me to NYC in 1990, I was 16. We were at the Times Square rush ticket booth, in line, when people came through selling Les Mis tickets. There had been a fire in the theater, so they had shut down. They had opened back up a week earlier than expected, and needed to fill seats. That's how I saw Les Mis on Broadway, and 32 years later, I'm still in love with it.
Many people became obsessed with the show/score of LES MISERABLES in the 80s and 90s - the way people today listen to HAMILTON.
Watching your mind open up to this is amazing. And yes, these singers study for YEARS to be able to sing like this. Most Broadway actors are "Triple Threats". They ACT, DANCE, and SING. They train forever, always learning more of their craft. I am almost 50 and still take voice lessons after decades. Always learning, always getting better.
You know how you were so impressed by the turn (rotating stage) in Hamilton? It was revolutionary and so cool in Les Mis. Really blew me away. And the lighting effects to create the sewers, the River,
Given what a huge Les Mis fanboy LMM is I feel like there must have been a moment where somebody asked if he wanted a rotating stage for Hamilton and he just went 🤩
These actors are all top-level Broadway and West End professionals. Years of experience. Similar to those who have roles in Phantom of the Opera and Evita.
Les Miz is the only musical I have ever seen with no knowledge of any of the music ahead of time...and I fell in love with every note the first time I heard it.....wonderful, wonderful piece of artistry.
That was me. I first saw it in London in 1998 because my son said I had to see it. We arrived that day and I kept dozing because we had been up for 24 hours but I loved it so much that I would jerk awake. I loved it so much from the very first!! ! Now I’ve seen it so many times and listened to it literally 100s of times. This cast is my absolute favorite.
@@susanfeil7729 😊
@Susan Feil same for me. first time. London 1998, Palace Theatre. random choice of musical. I was hooked instantly.
@@SunnyBlue77 We could have been there the same night. I now have my 7 and 10 year old grandsons liking it and we often listen to it as I take them to school.
This concert celebrated the 10th anniversary of the original West End (London) production. Producer Cameron Mackintosh selected the line-up of performers from the casts of various productions around the world. Colm Wilkinson is stellar here as the main character Jean Valjean. He originated the English-language role in the West End in 1985, then went over to Broadway to open the musical there in 1987. Everyone has their favourite Valjean and he was mine. In 1987, when Les Misérables was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, it won 8, including Best Musical but Wilkinson shockingly did not win Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. I suspect it was because he split the votes with Terrence Mann (nominated in the same category for playing Javert), thus allowing someone else to win.
This was the Dream Cast! The best of the best on top of being one of the greatest musicals/stories ever! So glad you watched the whole concert!
This, young man, is the most perfect soundtrack ever performed. I listen to it constantly - Judy, Michael…..everyone
Colm is THE voice for Jean Valjean. While everyone tries to have their own spin on it, he has been and always will be the bar all others are measured against. I'd say he's the only singer inextricably linked to the character from Les Mis.
I have been in awe of LesMis for over 25 yrs, know every song and the entire story deep in my soul but have never seen a single production of it, only know it from the CD, the book and this production on PBS. I grew up in rural CO and it shows the power of these songs that this story and music are a massive part of my life without the original context. I don't love all Broadway, but man this is powerful stuff musically, I'm glad you're getting to experience it.
I’m glad to experience it!
I hope you get to see it on stage someday. I’ve been lucky enough to see it twice, once in Melbourne and once in London. Both were breathtaking.
I have a very similar story to yours. I'm from the Midwest and didn't have any major touring companies coming to my location until this last decade or so. So, I grew up with musical movies, soundtracks, and PBS productions. This one here is my all-time fave stage musical, and it set the bar REALLY high for what I thought all musical songs/scores and performances should sound and look like.
I FINALLY did see Les Miserables in person about 5 years ago for the first time when a touring company came to my neighboring city. It was such a pleasure to finally see. There were even bits I didn't know existed in the show. Such a great experience. Hope you get to experience it as well.
This is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE musical stage play!!! The music is haunting and bone chilling!!! This is the BEST version and I have seen MANY!!! This cast, in my opinion, is the best I have seen!! Javert goes strictly by the book and is relentless!!! This play has been to town 7 times since I first time I saw it and of those 7 times I have attended 6 of those. Watch it over and over as much as you like, it is worth it!!!
I read the unabridged version of Victor Hugo's book, Les Miserables. It filled in many gaps in the story. I found it helpful!!!
Read the abridged first. The unabridged spends WAY too much time with Hugo ranting about Napoleon.
@@kristie9144 I agree, but I did enjoy some of the extra info. 🤣
Ruthie Henshall who plays Fantine is well known in British musical circles as a superstar. It’s a shame she’s not better known outside of those spheres as she’s amazing.
I always have people watch this first when I introduce them to Les Mis! It’s beyond amazing.
Context on something that wasn’t shown. The bishop gave Jean Val Jean silver candlesticks when he was brought back by the soldiers. That’s why Jean Val Jean had such a reaction besides just being given the silverware that he stole. The Bishop essentially paid for his new life both physically and spiritually in that moment.
This is one of the best performances of this show that you can watch. The Symphonic Version from 1987 (I think) is absolutely incredible as well (audio only). The man playing Enjorlas (Anthony Warlow) absolutely MUR-DERS it. Phenomenal. Familiar names from this version are in the same recording: Philip Quast (Javert) and Michael Ball (Marius) and maybe the Thenardiers and others. The movie could be good to REALLY get the sense of Fantine's shattered dreams in I Dreamed a Dream. I saw the show on Broadway and it was one of the most powerful things I'd ever seen. This was mid/late 90's and I was 11/12, around there. I wasn't exactly sure what was going on but I knew it moved me and I knew it was immensely powerful. I'm glad you're reacting to this show. It's brilliant.
Yesss, delighted to find this. Phillip Quast is stupendous, I can't wait to see your reaction to some of his solos. The actor himself is Australian and there's a video of an interview he did about how he approaches the role of Javert, it's so great. This was the first musical I ever watched, and the first purchase I ever made with my own hard-earned money is the collection they did of this musical where they went and found the best actors for every role in each production, to highlight some lesser-known ones too. The actress they chose for Eponine was from the Japanese production and she re-learned the role in English for the recording!
Lea Salonga (eponine) is actually from the Philippines. She went from originating the Role of Kim in Miss Saigon (in London) to Eponine (also in the London Production). She also Is the sining voices of Mulan and Jasmine in the Disney Movies.
I'd read regarding a Shakespeare play that "loosened hair" was a sign of madness. So when Quast loosens his hair in "Stars," it's a sign, not only of his actions, of his being lost in the world, but of descent into madness.
@@wendya1580He looses his hair in “Javert’s Suicide,” as it’s the sign that the absolutist world view he’d built has just failed him and he doesn’t know how to reconcile the villain he’s built Valjean to be to the man who’d let him go to save his life at the barricade.
If my local theatre company was to put Les Mis on again (they did around 20 years ago) I don’t care if I have to lick the floors, I want to be part of it. Les Mis is my all time favourite production.
I am so sorry...this is kinda long. I apologize. But there is a lot to unpack about this story. So, here it goes...
I did a full paper on the novel 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo back when I was in school, and the score of the musical helped me immensely. It was right around the time that 'Les Miz' was one of the two hottest tickets around, kinda like Hamilton still is today. I basically have the full score memorized. Hugo, who is one of the most celebrated and honored writers in French literature still today, wrote the novel as a commentary on society and how unfair, how unjust, and how hard life is. This is a truly classic work of literature that has reached an even wider audience due to this musical, both on stage and on film. As Hugo himself wrote...
"So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century-the degradation of man through pauperism, the corruption of woman through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light-are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world;-in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of Les Misérables cannot fail to be of use." - Victor Hugo, 1862, the preface to 'Les Miserables'
- 16:55 - Colm Wilkinson, who plays Jean Valjean, was a rock singer who became a theater performer. He is from Ireland and is an Irish Tenor. He originated roles like Che Gueverra in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 'Evita' as a concept album of the full musical it became, Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' as a workshop piece and later in Toronto, and created the role of Valjean in London and in New York. He is most associated with this role...he even made an appearance as the Bishop of Digne in the film version, giving the candlesticks and the torch of the role to Hugh Jackman...yeah, Wolverine sings and played Valjean. More on that later...
- 20:35 - Dude, the scale of this story is nothing short of EPIC. Dozens of characters, spanning decades, locations, and events. It also has a bit of historical authenticity as actual events in France inform the story taking place from 1815 to 1832. The novel, unabridged, was well over 1,000 pages long! Like Hamilton, the original production used a rotating stage to help change scenes and locations. The show was originally in French, then translated into English, and as the show's popularity grew it was translated into other languages (you'll see that later in this concert!!!)
- 23:38 - Fantine is one of the most tragic, heartbreaking characters in literature and on stage. She has incredible music she sings, equal to the horrors she endures due to a society based very much on the Old Testament interpretation of Christianity where sin is everywhere, and an unmarried woman is a "whore", regardless if she has a child. "I Dreamed A Dream" is one of the biggest hit songs from the show. For a REALLY heartbreaking rendition...see the film version, where Anne Hathaway knocked the song out of the park and took home an Oscar for it! Ruthie Henshall, who plays Fantine here, is an amazing talent as well...a huge star of stage musicals in London's West End. At the time they filmed this, Ruthie was the definitive Fantine even though she did not originate the role.
I mentioned the film...The film was released in 2012, with Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert), Anne Hathaway (Fantine), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), Sasha Baron Cohen (Thenardier), Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thenardier), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Colm Wilkinson (The Bishop) and Aaron Tveidt (Enjolras). It is hit and miss as a film, with some amazing performances, especially Hathaway, Redmayne, and Barks in her film debut. They sang it live, so the performances are raw. I personally had problems with some of the cast. It was nominated for 8 Oscars, winning 3 (Hathaway as Best Supporting Actress, Make-up and Hairstyling, and Sound Mixing).
I was OBSESSED with this musical in high school. This is the concert version, if you go see a production of it in the theatre, it is much more like the Hamilton production you watched. Even with a similar rotating stage used to excellent effect. This is my absolute favorite version of the music. Different recordings have different collections of actors singing the parts, but this is the ultimate cast in my opinion.
And as for your question of is an amazing singing voice a prerequisite for doing stuff like this, in short, yes. It's talent, but it's also years and years of training. In musical theatre you have to act your butt off and often dance while hitting those crazy notes. Then, often, the actors run off stage and come back on in a completely different costume a few seconds later. There's usually about three technicians working backstage for every single performer you see. I've been working as a technician in professional theatre for 20 years, it really does take a huge amount of planning and rehearsal to pull these productions off day after day. This one was an event, but remember, on Broadway, they do this every night, and twice on Sunday.
The. Best. I Dreamed a Dream performance ever! No one can convince me otherwise. She's also magic in the scene where she confronts the "mayor" for letting them throw her out.
OMG! I am so excited you did this! No other reactor has. This is fantastic. 💕❤️💪
😊
To answer your question at 12:20: Yes, professional musical theatre singing is top-notch. These are some of the best singers in the world. This is an entirely different genre of singing than the singing we're more accustomed to hearing in pop culture. Musical theatre is cut-throat. The auditions for leads in big musical productions would be equivalent to an audition for the lead role in a Spielberg movie.
And for a long time, musical theatre had a very distinctive sound and way of singing...I think 80s/90s Disney played a role in changing up their sound a bit (people like Lea Salonga, for example). Now days you'll find musicals showcasing all different styles of singing...or rapping! (Hamilton, of course). But you HAVE to be a good singer in a musical, or you'll absolutely be replaced by someone better. There's a reason people believe theatre singers/actors are the best and most talented in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, unless you're a musical theatre star, you get paid the least too. They work in very old theatres as well...8 shows a week!
Everyone sounds amazing in this specific production of Les Mis because the show's producer Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh hand-picked his, quote, "dream cast." The leads here are all well-known musical theatre professionals, many of whom played the role they're playing in this production at some point in their career. Some actors, like Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), originated their roles in the very first production of Les Miserables.
Look up Mackintosh. If you don't know him, I'm sure he at least looks familiar to you. He made a fortune signing on as producer and funding shows that went on to be very successful. And he got really rich because he realized the importance of touring these popular productions in cities around our nations and starting them up in various countries around the world. Smart move!
I remember when I first watched this as a 13 year old and was so impressed by Philip Quast as Javert that I was like "mom, you have to see this" and watched him especially on repeat many times. I loved the musical so much that I read the book Les Miserables is based on in Norwegian as a 13 year old, something I'm still quite proud of seeing as it was probably the biggest and most adult books I'd read at that time. I still love so many performances in this concert-version so much and I think watching your reactions sound like a great time.
Yes, singers on Broadway are the best in the business! They have to sing (and often dance) LIVE seven or eight nights a week. No editing, no dubbing, certainly no lipsynching! I love how animated you are by the power of this amazing production!
west end hold my beer
@@pikeybot Opera singers watching broadway: "Oh, they're lovely, but why are they wearing microphones?? Opera singer blows out the amps accidentally " Broadway, West End, Opera, Musicals, Dance, Acting, it's all so great and so much fun to watch and try to do!
This isn't Broadway. Of course there are amazing performers on broadway too, no argument there, but this is London. Each one of the people that performed in this 10th anniversary concert were or still are West End actors. The English translation of Les Mis started in the West End, which is why their performances are so famed, they always make sure to have the very best casting and remains the worlds longest running production.
@@rempandaActually, while most of the actors were from the West End, they were selected from Broadway and the Australian productions too. This included people such as Judy Kuhn as Cosette and Michael Maguire as Enjorlas.
@@JoyfulOrb Yet opera singers singing musicals always sound horrible
I am SO here for all the parts of this reaction! Love that you’re doing it and you’re enjoying it! I LOL’d at your face at the lyric “Sweet Jesus doesn’t care”. The story is gut wrenching so brace yourself. I was literally openly sobbing at the end when I saw it live (as was nearly everyone in the theatre)-and I’m not a cryer. This cast is amazing.
I always cry at Bring Him Home, but only when Colm Wilkinson sings it, because it was my mom's favorite song and she passed in 2015. I also cry at a certain scene at the barricades, mostly because Eponine is my favorite character.
Flipped out when I saw this on my feed. What a great choice! My fav musical by far. I can’t wait to see your reactions to the phenomenal performances to come. This is a huge cast made up of different companies so it’s bigger than the normal production, but it has the favorite performers from the first 10 years all in one concert. You HAVE to go to a performance one day. You should also watch the extras after the concert. They include songs with performers from international productions. And now that you’re addicted, watch the 25th concert as well!
@johnnyhancock76, I found the 25th anniversary concert to be disappointing. To my taste, NOTHING can beat this 10th anniversary concert.
I'm so jealous of you watching this for the first time. I'd love to experience this for the first time again!
After watching it for the first time in the 80’s I was shocked to realize that there was no speaking dialogue, only singing, so it’s considered an opera. I was like, but I’m not into operas. Oh wait, maybe am…Since then I have seen it 7 more times in different places. Everyone should be privileged to see Les Mis at least once in their lifetime. It’s a masterpiece!
I don’t know what made you decide to do a full-on musical, Sal…but BRAVO to you for taking this on. I respect you so much for doing this! 🤗😁
Phillip Quast who plays Javert in this is an Australian actor who used to be one of the hosts on a kids TV show called Play School. I was so blown away when I first saw this because that is all I knew him from.
im sorry for the late reaction....BUT HE WAS WHAT NOW?!...... well you learn something new everyday...thanks XD
I'm so excited for you! You're 8 minutes in and already invested. This 10th anniversary concert is how I discovered LesMis and the performance still brings me to tears. I love seeing the live productions but this performance has the absolute best performances from London's original cast. They evoke so much emotion standing there and singing, I wish I could have seen them live! This will always be my go-to performance. Please finish this one before you check out others. 💖💕💖
I love how affronted you are when Fatine gets sacked.
I can't wait to see your reaction to the rest of the production!
Yes, these are all musical theatre actors and some of the best in the world.
Now I'm off to watch the whole concert! I probably will after each of your installments. 🤣
P.S. Make sure to watch the encore after the applause and bowing.
As someone who is OBSESSED with all things Les Mis, and Colm Wilkinson (and I've watched the 10th production a bunch of times) I loved this! It's cool to watch someone experience it all for the first time.
10th Anniversary Concert is sooo much better than the 20th or 25th Anniversary Concert, also done at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Love how involved you are with the story and the characters already.
I don't want to spoil anything - but I think a little friendly reminder to have some tissues within reach as you continue is warranted.
If you think it's emotional so far... oh boy, it gets SO much more intense as the show goes on.
This musical right here is the reason I got into musical theater. I was 15 years old and always had a fondness for it but I never really thought that I would become immersed into this world and pursue performing it. My parents gave me the greatest gift and that was a ticket to see this show. It was my first Broadway experience and I was blown away and shook to the core. It's really indescribable. I went on to see it live 18 more times. I cannot wait for you to see the rest of this.
I'm am beyond excited that you're doing the entire musical AND this version. This was my first musical to see on stage as a child and made me fall in love with musical theater. And you are correct that there are so many versions, but this is by far my favorite recorded version. I wish they recorded the play on stage as I absolutely hated the movie version. The broadway actors are incredibly talented and their voices are so powerful. Between this one and the 25 yr anniversary, I far prefer this version. Make sure you watch the encore at the end! Hope you enjoy it!
Also, if you are looking for more recorded musicals to watch/react to after Les Misérables, you should do "Into the Woods" (1991 film). They recorded the stage version and Bernadette Peters is phenomenal.
Not only is Ruthie (Fantine) insanely talented, but she is one of the nicest people I have ever met.
This is a fantastic idea! I've have seen Les Mis live four times. Never get tired of it. The 10th anniversary is my favorite. Look forward to the rest of the episodes.
I have seen this Dream Cast 10-year anniversary several times, along with the 25-year edition. I have also seen several versions of the movie. I always cry.
So impressed that you decided to react to Les Mis. It is stunning seeing the musical firsthand, but it is just as stunning seeing it as the Anniversary concert. Make sure you watch this one all the way to the end, including past the end credits, there is an AMAZING performance at the end.
This whole musical is filled with incredible music/lyrics/performances that touch one's soul. I took my older brother to see this (who is an emotional rock) and he said it was the 1st show/movie that ever made him cry! A truly incredible masterpiece of storytelling ^_^ thank you for sharing your reaction!
These are some of the greatest musical theatre legends of their generation - and some of the greatest of all time. The best of the best pulled together for the anniversary concert. You don't have to be a great singer to be in general theatre but musical theatre stars are usually stunning natural talents and world-class trained singers and actors. Not only do they have to have voices to carry an entire show, they also tell the story through their acting, and often do 8 shows a week! They are the athletes of the musical world ❤
This concert was the 10th anniversary DREAM CAST... the best of the best for each character... This is my all time favorite cast and concert... the music, the story... it will draw you in... and you WILL be forever changed....
The original show was written by 2 French men. It had very little success in France and the musical is still played in London since 1985. Other country still play it.
A very good movie "les Miserables" 2012, by tom Hooper. With really singing Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddy Redmayne. So emotional. With the same songs
One of the best musicals ever written IMO. The music is exquisite. They made a marvelous movie of it as well.
Simply beautiful and heartbreaking. The ageless struggles of being human - hope, despair, love, and loss.
I CAN'T WAIT to see your reaction to the songs "On My Own", "Little Fall of Rain" and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"! My 3 favorites!
imo this version is the best one! the casting selections are immaculate (probably biased bc this was my introduction to the musical :))
Les Mis is my absolute favorite show. The music is incomparable, in my opinion. Absolute magic. And the story is phenomenal.
You are so emotionally open. It will be a joy to share this experience with you.
Hello..new to the channel..I was lucky enough to have discovered les mis when I was 16 on a chorus class trip to see it on Broadway.. I had never been to a Broadway play and had no idea what to expect..I happened to be sitting next to our teacher and lets just say at one point we looked at each other and both had tears streaming down our faces..I was hooked from the very first note..I still cry every time I hear or have seen it live..so glad you decided to take this journey..and for the record, I don't cry easily or often but this get me every time. Lol
I have seen Les Mis five times live. It is a work of utter genius and humanity. It speaks to every important theme of human existence: love, death, war, tragedy, comedy, trust, betrayal, revenge, justice, honour, integrity, compassion. I could go on.
Watching it again through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time is pretty special, so thank you for taking on this reaction. You need tissues for the rest! Last time I saw it I was in the front row had a stuff a handkerchief in my mouth at one point because I was sobbing so hard and didn't want to distract the superlative actors. Yes, musical theatre actors have to be world class singers. Please, please, if you get the chance to watch a fully staged version, DO IT!
Oh, and if you want to see some more world class musical theatre singing, watch the Britain's Got Talent audition by (eventual winner) Sydnie Christmas. She sings Tomorrow from Annie in a way that will break your heart.
Thank you so much for doing a reaction to my favourite version of my favourite musical! No one else has done that! I can't wait for the rest!
Les Mis was the first show I saw on Broadway. I own the DVD of this concert. Thank you so much for doing this - it is an amazing musical, and they call this "The Dream Cast" for a reason!
Regarding the "prerequisite" question you asked: if you want to work in *musical* theatre, yes, you do have to sing well! Different musical roles have different vocal demands, but a show like Les Miz definitely needs you to be a strong singer because it's entirely sung and the music is so vocally athletic. Being a good dancer doesn't hurt either, but not all musicals are dance-heavy. If you're not a strong singer, though, there are plenty of actors who only work in non-musical plays!
Lea Salonga playing Eponine singing On My Own for this concert is the gold standard of the song.
In the 25th anniversary show of Les Miserable Lea plays Fantine and sings I Dreamed a Dream, it is amazing.
Also if you want to watch a different musical next I recommend the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at the O2 theater staring the amazing Sierra Boggess as Christine and Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom
4 parts? I am here for it. This is my favourite musical. I'm French Canadian. I've known this musical since before it was translated to English and became a worldwide phenomenon.
so i was walking around TH-cam , and found you and glad I did, because to watch someone's first reaction,to anything, especialy this 10th anniversary concert..I'm so happy and exstatic for your discovery!
Musically this is the best version. So many iconic performances that you haven’t got to yet.
I stumbled on this reaction and have to watch! This is my favorite musical of all time, and the 10th Anniversary is my favorite performance of it. I could geek out about so much when it comes to Les Mis. I feel like the orchestral parts and just the whole score are so beautiful that I have goosebumps and tear up every time I listen to this, and I’ve listened to it probably hundreds of times. Yes, it is a very depressing story, I’m not sure Victor Hugo could’ve written about the French Revolution and it be anything but. But it is a beautiful redemption tale, and the music is so sublime.
And yeah, to make it in musical theater you have to be the whole package-a great singer, dancer (in many cases), and actor. To say it is highly competitive is an understatement. I studied instrumental music in college (violin major, cello minor) and used to want to be part of the orchestra for these shows, and even that is incredibly difficult. And the anniversary concerts of Broadway shows (The Phantom of the Opera also has one) is the best of the best.
I love that you are enjoying this so much. I know you are breaking the video up into a few parts, but I at least hope that your viewing was all the way through. It's not meant to be viewed in multiple sittings.
I saw the play before I found this concert recording and was blown away by how emotionally invested you can get with extraordinarily talented people just signing at a mic.
I chuckled when you said you were only going to interrupt during dialogue. :)
In the book, Valjean, who is the main character, doesn't make an appearance till something like 150 pages in. We do get an extensive back story about the Bishop, though. The book came out in the 1860s, about 40 years after the events in this story. Remember, this was not the French Revolution, it happened about 50 years after the French Revolution. The book was very popular among soldiers during the US Civil War.
Anne Hathaway won her Oscar for playing Fantine in the movie.
The original of this musical was written in French, then translated into English
It's my favorite musical of all time.
Don't forget the 12 pages on the history of the Parisian sewer system too!
This is an amazingly emotional story and the voices are incredibly good. Salvo, it is worth listening to this story fully and the music is fully part of the lifting.
So glad you are doing this! I read the book years before I saw this. It was quite a read but the book was probably the thickest one i've ever read, since I didn't read the condensed version. a great and sad story. A lot of different cast over the years in this, but this particular one holds a special place in my heart. And yes if you are going to be on stage in a musical play, you definitely need to know how to sing very well. If not, then you simply don't try for musical plays. :)
This is my all time favorite musical and to see someone react to this performance and be immediately invested is soooo satisfying. I look forward to the other parts because it just keeps getting better and better.
This is possibly the best musical ever and the cast of the 10th Anniversary Concert is considered the dream cast. Everyone in the show is brilliantly talented. It's nice to see a new fan being created! (In musical theater at this level, yes, it is necessary to sound as good as possible. The people in this production were the best of the best.)
I am so excited you’re doing this!! This is one of my favorite versions of this play, although it’s not acted out. But everyone is amazing in it! I can’t wait to see the rest of the reactions to this!!
I am so happy you are doing this. This is an epic performance of an amazing musical play! Thank you!
Cameron Mackintosh said that Les Miserables is a strange name for an English language show, and that during it’s first run he heard a ticket tout shouting “Lesbian Rebels! Lesbian Rebels! I’ve got tickets for Lesbian Rebels!” He decided against correcting him.
Yes, that is a prerequisite. The 10th Anniversary Concert captured every performance at its best. What it doesn't catch is the whole of the staging in the original musical, but you do get a sense of it. Keep this memory of Les Miz, and don't ruin it by watching the film.
I love this musical. I saw it on Thursday for the 12th time over the last 40 years! I love that it is dark and not the usual sunny zipity doo dah stuff. Also that you HAVE to be a superb singer as the songs are so demanding. And finally because the songs are so different but do reoccur in different guises throughout the performance. It is so well written, there is nothing like it.
Thank you for reacting to this! This was my introduction to Les Miserables! Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean) is amazing! He can do no wrong in my eyes! lol.
This is by far my favourite edition of the musical. The cast here is amazing. Colm gives me chills every single time
30 years ago this was the first musical I ever saw. When this anniversary special played on PPS I recorded it and still have that VCR tape to this day.
Oh man, so happy I ran into you, can't wait for other parts.
Fun Fact: The actor who plays Jean Valjean in this production actually went on to play the Bishop in the movie.
This concert version is what introduced me to this musical and it’s been my favorite musical ever since. I’m loving watching someone fall in love with it in the same way!
The 10th anniversary was always known as having the dream cast Colm Wilkinson Michael Ball Alum Armstrong Philip Lea plus so many others brilliant show
Colm Wilkinson... goosebumps every time, and I've seen this performance hundreds of times. It's cool you dig this right off the best. This is my favorite performance of Les Mis, but there are some other wonderful performances too. Stoked to watch the rest of your reactions to this, even if I'm a year late
Oh my stars how amazing you are for doing this!!! I am so glad I read Victor Hugos' novel years before I ever saw this musical live. It made the performance easier to follow! I believe I've seen this musical at least 6 times! Each time it was performed by a different cast and each time I was speechless! Thank you so much and I literally cannot wait to see your next post!!!
This was one of my first Broadway shows. My first one was Phantom of the opera, three times going to New York. Then, Les Mis, then my absolute all-time favorite the Secret Garden. Born in 1984, I was nine years old my first Broadway show, and New York for a Phantom of the opera. That’s when people used to actually dress for Broadway shows, not wear sneakers. And yes, I’m a bit of a snob. I grew up, listening to all of these original Broadway soundtracks. Also Vivaldi’s ring of mystery, Mozart’s magic flute, etc. I’m really happy that you did this. Good for you, expanding your knowledge.
Great start... and looking forward to the rest of the story. These are singers, who act in musical theatre. The 2012 movie took actors, and had them sing live - but focused on the acting - tells the story in a cinematic way the theatre struggles with, but still with incredible passion and emotion. Les Mis is timeless story of love, sacrifice, revenge and guilt. Brilliant.
I'm so glad you are doing some Broadway reactions! If this goes well for you, I highly recommend Into The Woods (stage version, not the movie). It's a mix of fairy tales, but not the Disney versions lol.
This is the main show that made me music theatre nerd. Very special show.
Saw this as a teen, at the Barbican in London in 1985, and was blown away by it, it still blows me away everytime I see it, or hear it... love sharing your first experience of this masterpiece in musical theatre....Colm Wilkinson will always be the best Val Jean for me, with Phillip Quast as Javier.....enjoy the journey of the rest of this...
I'm here for all the parts! This is awesome!