Les Misérables

Aaaaaaand we're back to period dramas... 

There are few musicals that are as classic as Les Misérables (yes, I took the time to add that accent. Judge me.). Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Mis tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who broke parole but changed his ways to become a good man while being chased by Police Inspector Javert. Filled with timeless songs like "I Dreamed a Dream", "On My Own", and "The Confrontation", Claude-Michel Schönberg's music has endured for generations, with countless revivals and adaptations. 

Notable Songs*:

1. Overture/Work Song - (2012 movie) I feel like it's blasphemy to enjoy the 2012 movie, but I honestly didn't think that it was as bad as many "theater purists" said. Sure, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe aren't perfect, but there are certain songs where they do a really good job. Exhibit A. Both Jackman and Crowe act extremely well, which makes up for less than perfect voices. Javert's "No" at 2:21 as menacing as it should be, and the chains/waves in the background give it a more realistic ambiance. 
2. I Dreamed a Dream - (2012 movie) Again, say what you will about Tom Hooper's extreme closeups, but Anne Hathaway killed this role. Many versions of this song are beautiful, but this is stripped down raw. It is truly Fantine at her lowest, and Hathaway's voice is as bitter as can be. It's difficult to get through this without tears, especially at "so different from this hell I'm living."
3. Who Am I? - (25th Anniversary Concert) I mention this song almost solely for the last note. B4 is not an easy note to hit for the average male singer, yet Alfie Boe doesn't evne hesitate. He goes for it and hits it perfectly, and it's absolutely incredible. KUDOS. 
4. The Confrontation - (25th Anniversary Concert) Alfie Boe and Norm Lewis have the perfect blend of acting and singing. Thus, you have this beauty. This is probably one of my favorite versions because both actors are so on par with each other, so the duel is both with their swords on stage and their voices in power. 
5. Castle On a Cloud - (Broadway original cast) Oh sweet childhood innocence. Poor Cosette has that stripped away quickly, but Donna Vivino does an excellent job with her sweet, child-like voice. Cosette can only dream of a better tomorrow as she is trapped with the Thénardiers, but her castle on a cloud awaits. 
6. Master of the House** - (10th Anniversary Concert) In a musical that literally has the word "miserable" in it, you really can't expect to laugh much. This is perhaps the only time where you can. Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway are coarse and hilarious, the proper blend of rude and crass that make up the infamous innkeeper and wife duo. I would've loved to see this in person, because I'm sure that the staging made it even funnier. It always does. 
7. ABC Café/Red and Black - (2012 movie) I chose the movie version of this song almost solely because of Aaron Tveit. To me, he's the perfect Enjolras, a fiery revolutionary and compassionate friend. This is where he really gets to show off his Broadway chops, and he relishes every moment of it. 
8. Do You Hear the People Sing? - (Broadway original cast) The militaristic beat in the background is what characterizes this song. The ensemble also really gets a chance to shine here, and when they all enter in full fanfare, the effect is chilling. 
9. A Heart Full Of Love - (10th Anniversary Concert) Aw, such young love. This is one of the few happy songs of the musical, between older Cosette and Marius. There's almost no misery (sorry Eponine), and three beautiful voices make up this song: Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Ball (Marius), and Lea Salonga (Eponine). Cosette's last note is also incredibly clear, so shout out to Kuhn for her gorgeous soprano. 
10. One Day More - (10th Anniversary Concert) This is my favorite song of the album. As a mesh of all of the parts, it shows just how strong of a cast you really have because it isn't complete until all of the parts can hold their own. This cast does exactly that. The only complain that I have is that this Enjolras isn't quite as fiery as Aaron Tveit. I was hoping that he would spit out the word "barricade" (as shown at 1:30 on the movie soundtrack here), but alas, he did not. :( 
11. Building the Barricade/On My Own - (10 Anniversary Concert) A lot of people like Samantha Barks' version, but I'm more of a Lea Salonga kind of girl. Salonga's voice is just clearer and stronger to me, making her Eponine tougher than Barks'. As one friend put it, "I wish I could have as much control over my life as Lea Salonga has over her voice." 
12. Little Fall of Rain - (10th Anniversary Concert) This song is a heartbreaker. (**Spoiler**) Poor Eponine, saving her dearly beloved Marius at too high of a cost. She gets her last moments with her loved one here, and Lea Salonga and Michael Ball duet beautifully. The book snob doesn't want me to feel sorry for her, but this song is what tips me in Eponine's favor. R.I.P. Eponine. 
13. Bring Him Home - (Broadway original cast) This is Valjean's time to shine, and Colm Wilkinson squeezes every drop out of it. Valjean truly loves Cosette as his own daughter, willing to give up his own life so that she may be happy. He prays not for his own selfish life, as he may have once, but instead, prays for another's happiness that he values above his own. 
14. Javert's Suicide - (25th Anniversary Concert) Norm Lewis. I don't feel like I've given him enough credit in this post, but he does an incredible job as Javert. Javert's big song is usually "Stars", but I find "Javert's Suicide" much more poignant. This is the character's tipping point, and if an actor fails to capture that, he fails to capture the essence of the character. Fortunately, Lewis nails it, and his deep baritone echoes beautifully through the theater on his last "ONNN". 
15. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables - (10th Anniversary Concert) This song is misery. "Miserable" may be in the title, but it has taken a truly raw form here. (**Spoiler**) As Marius sings for his fallen friends, Michael Ball's grief is palpable. His voice cracks, swells, and softens at all of the right places, so that it's hard to hold back your own tears. Ball's "Phantom faces in the window..." is one of the most powerful phrases here especially, as if he is crying out to ask "WHY?"

*These reviews are pretty scattered because different casts have different versions, so I tried to pick the best from each song. 
**Note: Two instances of explicit language "Master of the House". 

Taking place in post-Napoleonic France, Les Mis is a tale of loss, love, and redemption. As per its name, it certainly isn't the happiest musical, but it is certainly one of the most powerful. Each character is multi-dimensional, so even Javert, who is supposedly the "villain" of the musical, can be sympathized with. 

Since Les Mis has been around for so long, there are tons of covers. One of the most popular songs is "The Confrontation", perhaps one of the best male duets ever to be written for musical theater. Below is a version starring Joshua Colley as Jean Valjean and John Rapson as Javert. Yes, Colley is that small. Yes, he is thirteen years old. No, I don't know how he does it.

Teach me. TEACH ME.

On a more comedic note, another cover was done by How I Met Your Mother stars Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel. Neil Patrick Harris has been on Broadway and has done some of the best Tony-hosting out there, but I was also pleasantly surprised at Jason Segel's voice. They break into laughter about midway through, but both actors certainly put a lot of passion into that performance. 

Casting directors, take note. I would like a full show with these two. Please and thank you. 

If you've been following Disney recently, you may have noticed that they have done quite a few "song in 25 languages" recently, notably with "Let It Go" from Frozen and "How Far I'll Go" from Moana. Well, lo and behold, Broadway has their own version. Below is a version of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" with 17 Valjeans from all around the world. 

My personal favorites were Austria, Norway, and Ireland!

No doubt that Les Misérables has cemented itself as one of the greatest musicals out there. Everyone has their favorite versions, and fans will sometimes fight over who holds the crown. Myself, I like the 10th Anniversary the best, but the original Broadway cast certainly has its strengths, and I don't agree with those who hate on the 2012 movie. And so, devoted theater nerds, I must pose the question, who is the Jean Valjean? (Who is Jean Valjean? Who am I? Who am I??? TWO FOUR SIX OH ONE!!!!) 

*Please go to 0:37 on that last link. Alfie Boe. <3