We have been waiting for this day for months! Ever since the movie came out and I saw how much my kids like the story of Les Miserables I have wanted to take them to the musical. Finally, the day arrived. We may have been a little to eager to get there, arriving just an hour early.
Luckily, the Phoenix theater is right next to an art museum. So we walked around the sculpture gardens while we waited for show time. AJ found some round parts under that dude's skirt. It was....awkward. The things you find in "art".
The show was scheduled to begin at 7:30 but by 7:10 we couldn't handle any more exposing sculptures so we excitedly made our way down the hall of mirrors and into the theater.
We spent the next 15 minutes pouring over the program and all the actors we were going to see perform.
Shhh! Don't tell. I snapped this picture while inside. Apparently there are no pictures allowed but I wanted to remember these next moments with these four Les Mis aficionados. Plus, we were on the first 3 rows. That's a kodak moment. Then the lights flickered and the music began. Suddenly, we were swept away to France in the 1800s and loving every minute.
If the Cesar's had to review the Phoenix Theater production of Les Miserables it would go something like this. (The following was all discussed by my children in the car on the way home after the show.) The favorite was Madame Thenardier.
She was just enough crazy to keep you laughing the entire time she was on stage especially when she winked at Alexandria and Isabel who were seated in the front row. Jean Valjean sang beautifully but he seemed angry most of the time, a little out of character for Monsueir le Mayor. We were thankful we weren't seated front and center. Those people may have gotten sprayed...by Marius. It was an embarrassing spitting issue that was very noticeable from the front row. "Red, I feel my ssssoul (spit, spit, spit) on fire. Black, my world when ssssshe'ssss (spit, spit, spit) not there." You get the idea. It was enthralling to hear Stars sung by someone who can actually sing and not Russel Crowe. As a whole the production was magical! Inspiring us to love and forgive we cried with Eponine, cheered for Gavroche and hoped for Marius. The parallels between Jean Valjean and Javert were somehow unveiled to me for the first time helping me to understand the mind of Victor Hugo just a little more. The intimate setting of the Phoenix theater allows the audience to feel like you are a part of the show and the songs envelope you in emotion. We really liked the French flag sugar cookies during intermission too. Definitely a must see! My four children may seem a little young to sit through a full show but it was so good that they are already asking if we can go back.
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