Do You Hear These People Sing?

In all the writing we've done on this blog the past several years, I can't believe we haven't mentioned one love that Sarah and I share. That love? The Broadway musical, Les Miserables! I suppose our love for it only grew up this past year when we started using Pandora and created a Broadway station which then began to play all the amazing pieces we love so now.
It's changed my life in lots of ways. ;)

I never say "One more day!" It's always always always "One day more!"

If anyone mentions dreams you know what song I break into.

When we have a wet day I immediately start humming "A Little Fall of Rain."

You can't say Black Widow Spiders are black and red. Forever more they are "Red & Black".

 Then we heard rumors and then confirmed rumors, and then news, and then pictures and then TRAILERS! And it is true. They are making Les Miserables into an absolutely stunning movie which is set to come out Christmas Day.

 I absolutely cannot wait. There have been whole entire blog post sessions dedicated to the second by second dissection of the trailers and that's not what this is about. BUT! I will say that Sarah and I are monstrous excited about the movie. It's gonna be the highlight of my winter, I think. :)

Actually, I know. I know it's gonna be awesome.

'Know why?

Because these people are taking this seriously. I've heard that Anne Hathaway not only sheared her hair off, but got three teeth pulled. Three of her beautiful teeth. Just for authenticity's sake. That's commitment.

Last night my Grandmama (a fellow aficianado of the theatre) called to tell us that the 25th concert edition was on PBS! I could not wait. I've been wanting to see this version for FOREVER but our library has never heard of such a thing. Anyway, we turned it on at 8:00 and were absolutely transfixed till after 11. WOW. Just....yeah.

Besides Nick Jonas being cast as Marius, the cast was flawless. Absolutely Amazing with capital A's and confetti for good measure.

^This guy? Ramin Karimloo? He totally owns the role of Enjolras. The movie chap's gonna have to work hard to reach Ramin's level of Awesome-sauce. For reals.

Lea Salonga absolutely was the bomb-diggity as Fantine vocally. I could pick apart her appearance, beginning with the fact that she didn't appear to be a TB patient, but hey--when she opens her mouth to sing you forget about her looks. (Personally I think she's gorgeous--just not Fantine-ish.)

Alfie Boe played Jean Valjean and absolutely captured my heart. <3 He wasn't strong or broad enough, but MAN could he sing! Absolutely make-your-hair-stand-on-end voice.

Javert was played by Norm Lewis, and is looking considerably happier in the picture than in the concert! He actually looks mildly nice here. :)

Now we get to my favorite person of all: <3 <3 <3

Samantha Barks as Eponine.

I'm doubly excited about her performance, knowing she's playing that same role in the new film! *eeep!*

But the best part of all was after the whole concert was finished and the entire original cast as well as all four Jean Valjeans from the other productions came onstage and sang "Bring Him Home" and "Do You Hear The People Sing." It gave me thrills and chills and thrills and chills and lots more thrills. I cannot wait for this!!!!

Can you hear these people sing?