Congratulations, sara! I'm so excited for you! And you survived!

Just for comparison-- Ruthie Henshall at the Les Miz 10th Anniversary concert.

I know she's performing in character there, but that sounded sort of ... forced to me in places.

For Jilli and others who might like a photo of a young, well-dressed Bowie: [link]

I think Mark Blankenship hits many nails on the head regarding Susan Boyle: [link]

Nothing has ever topped Les Miserables for me.

I'm such a huge sucker for that show-- manipulative as it is. I don't care. And my absolute favorite version is that 10th anniversary concert-- I loved the concert in costume staging and the fact that they had the All Star cast, plus such a huge chorus comprised of company members from around the world. (Colm Wilkinson as Valjean! Michael Ball as Marius! Meep!)

My absolute favorite moment, though, was the encore, where they brought on 17 Valjeans from international productions and had them sing phrases of "Do You Hear the People Sing" in their native languages. And for anyone who's as big a geek as I am and watches the Japanese Iron Chef, yes, that's Chairman Kaga as the Japanese Jean Valjean.

[link]

My brother took a trip to london in the spring of 86 and returned with the london les miz cast recording on LP. I had the all the show soings memorized by that summer, singing all parts (of course). I never saw the show though until it was closing on bway, something around 2000.

I saw it on Broadway, too, probably around 1995? Loved it. I love the soundtrack, too. In fact, I may go dig that out and give it a listen today.

Jesse's link said "I Dreamed a Dream" had shot into the top 50 songs on iTunes in the past few days.

Is squeezing a tube of toothpaste really so difficult that we need a machine for it?

Since I was a tragic teen of 15 when I first heard it, I was all about Eponine (sp?), but I have come to understand over the years, that Javert is my true match. He is the most fun to sing.

My brother took a trip to london in the spring of 86 and returned with the london les miz cast recording on LP. I had the all the show soings memorized by that summer, singing all parts (of course).

In 89 I managed to pick up the London cast CD, and now every time I hear the American cast, it sounds wronger than a wrong thing.

Same with the Into the Woods soundtrack, actually.

I have come to understand over the years, that Javert is my true match. He is the most fun to sing.

"Confrontation" is my favorite, and I was delighted beyond words at the clip of Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segal singing it on the Megan Mullally show: [link]

And curses on us all, I am already ruined for the rest of the day and will be singing the show.

Lunch has been et, now home for unpacking, laundry, and a major de-cating of my room. I hope to get info on a spring flea sale today and reserve a table for myself, then on to going through everything to declutter as much as possible.