When we got to Albuquerque, we got a little turned around. (Garma failed us--well actually, it was a little bit of user-error, it can be upside down without your realizing it.) We were in a big rush to get from the event parking to the theater. A long line in the restroom also threatened to interfere with the experience, but destiny was on my side, and everything worked out perfectly.
I walked into the theater and choked up instantly. If I didn't only have three minutes until curtain, I would have gone back for tissue. Just seeing "Les Miserables" projected on the stage, and realizing that I was actually there, was almost too much for me. Our seats were pretty high, but Popejoy is a small theater, so still felt like I could see everything really well.
I can't describe the overwhelming emotion of hearing the overture and seeing that first prison scene--remember I was tearing up just seeing the title. It was all magnificent. I honestly think I might not have blinked the whole first act. I just didn't want to miss anything. I have been listening to the music for over 20 years, along with reading the book, but there was so much of the story that was filled in for me by seeing the whole production. The sets were A.MAZ.ING. This is the 25th anniversary production, so they redesigned the sets and used Victor Hugo's paintings as the inspiration. They also made fabulous use of projectors to make incredible backdrops with very cool illusions. "Do You Hear the People Sing" was unbelievable, it really looked like they were marching through the streets!
If the sets were amazing, then there isn't a word for Jean val Jean. Every time he opened his mouth I was in tears. His character and story are so touching and inspiring, and the actor portraying him was superb. It didn't even dawn on me until later (after someone else pointed it out) that he was a little small for a Val Jean because his portrayal was so good. My favorite songs from the past 20 years were all of Cosette and Eponine, but my favorites of the production were all val Jean. Of course "Bring Him Home" was magnificent, but I also loved the "Arrested/Forgiven" number and the finale was almost more than I could bear. (the whole finale is NOT on the soundtrack) I loved how it combined all the of the music from the whole production, and how his prayer changed from "bring him home" for Marius, to "bring me home" for himself into the presence of God. Of course I also loved having Fantine, and Eponine, and the Bishop and all the others escort him to the "Garden of the Lord." Even Chris was crying at that point, although his exact words are "I might have misted over." For me, it was a river that I didn't even try to control.
When I was in drama club at Powell Middle School, Mr. Alt said that a standing ovation happens when you have pumped the audience so full of energy that when it's all over they can't help but burst from their seats. That's how I felt at the end. I couldn't stand up fast enough. I couldn't clap loud enough. Honestly, by the time we left the theater, I was completely spent.
Of course, I had to buy a tee shirt and magnet. Chris was disappointed that there wasn't a "Master of the House" shirt, so he didn't feel like he needed one. There was one that simply said "24601" and a young person in line asked his mother what that meant. She reminded him that it was val Jean's prison number. He said "well then no one will know what it means." I turned around and assured him that the people will know what it means--and it will be a way to discover the true fans. I also asked another woman in line how big of a toll the river had had on my face. After assuring me that it was ok (I must have just cried it ALL off) she turned to her daughter and said, "See, I wasn't the only one. You didn't have to be so embarassed."
To top off the whole experience, while we were waiting for the parking shuttle, the actors were leaving to get dinner or have a break. I didn't recognize them at first, but another patron did. I had them sign my ticket and Chris to a picture while they were doing so. I could recognize many of them, but they looked so different in tee shirts and sunglasses, plus I also had nosebleed seats, so I had used the costumes to identify most of them. I still can't decide if val Jean was in the group, and I'm sad that I was too proud to ask. I'm also sad that even though I did tell them they were amazing, I didn't tell them that I had waited 20 years for it and was not disappointed in any way!
In my MANY post Les Mis discussions we have all talked about why it's such a powerful show. Of course the musicians and actors are talented. Victor Hugo was also incredibly gifted. But we felt like its so much more. Its not just a good story. Its a story of universal truth; of true redemption and forgiveness; of people who will sacrifice their lives for the happiness and freedom of others.
My sister and I also discussed the whole dream-come-true experience. She and I both feel like we don't really have too many concrete dreams. (I have decided that we have both been blessed with so much we haven't had to want for much.) But having had a dream and having had to wait and want it, and then to have it come true and be all that I wanted and waited for was very fulfilling. I feel a little like Rapunzel from Tangled after she saw the floating lanterns--I need to find a new dream. But since I already married my Flyn Ryder, it'll have to be something else. For a while though, I'm going to bask in the glow of dreams come true.
