Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Les Misérables

 The teaser from the movie is above.

The Trailer for the musical show that we saw!!

Cubby cleans up pretty nice, eh?
I love live theater, so when I knew Cubby was coming to town and I was looking for an evening of entertainment, I saw that Les Miserables was coming to town.  Search completed...we were going!  It was easy to make that decision. 

Having not seen Les Miz on stage or the movie, I really had little idea of what to expect.  Fortunately, my companion for the evening was not nearly as green as I, but when I suggested he could help me during the show if I should get lost, he informed me he is much too civilized to talk during the show [I'm sure you can guess my one word response to that---rhymes with witch].  I found the 'cliff notes' version of the story so I would not be completely in the dark. 

After several beers, and a great dinner at a local establishment, we were off the the theatre.  A five block walk on a beautiful evening brought us to the Richmond Landmark Theater for a stunning production of the show.  We had decent seats...possibly not the best in the house, but the orchestra level, just to the right of the center and about halfway back the theatre.  If it wasn't sold out, it was very close to it.

Promptly at 8:00, the lights dimmed and the orchestra swelled with that familiar music.  The audience was hushed, respectful, and appreciative of the performers on stage and in the pit as the show proceeded at a very fast pace.  Before we realized it, an hour had passed.

The last part of the show is very touching, very emotional and will likely leave many in tears as it did in that auditorium on Saturday.  A beautiful love story and tragedy.  

I honestly would have gone simply for the live orchestra.  They sounded fantastic, and I love the music to the show.  I was also seriously impressed with the show, especially the staging.  Having worked in theatre a bit in high school and college, I know enough about sets and lighting to appreciate a good job, just not enough to actually do the work.  LOL.

All in all, it was a great finish to a beautiful day.  The nearly three hour production left us both thankful for a fine show, but tired and ready for the walk back to the car on a pleasant spring evening in Richmond. 

This production of Les Miserables will be touring the country for most of the year.  I hope you get a chance to see it if it comes near you.  But, don't ask Cubby to help if you don't know the story...at least not until the end of it.

This is Richmond Times Review of the show.


10 comments:

  1. cubby is SUCH a handsome dude! :)

    but how about YOU, nate? how fetching did YOU look? your public wants EVIDENCE!

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  2. I do so love legit theatre! Plays, musicals, I miss working with them! Never did Les Miz, but have seen it and love it.

    The main auditorium at the Landmark is an acoustic marvel, and well as having top sight lines from almost anywhere in the house! Lucky you to be in such prime seats.

    Glad you and Cubby had such a good time!!!

    Peace <3
    Jay

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  3. Cute date indeed! So was his, I'm sure.

    I am so glad you liked the show. I was not as big a fan of the movie as others I know (worth seeing though!) but I absolutely love the stage production. The music is so rich and moving. Near the end when Eponine and Fantine re-enter and sing with Valjean, they start to harmonize on the lines; "Take my hand and lead me to salvation; Take my love, for love is everlasting...." I am misty-eyed right now just remembering it.

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    1. Yes, that was the spot...I know of at least 4 eyes that were misty about then.

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  4. What a coincidence. I was at that same performance, sitting in about the same area. I do remember a couple of hotties sitting very close together, holding hands, sharing tears.I

    I particularly loved the staging of Javert's jump from the bridge. I loved the theatre and the nice neighborhood it's in (VCU campus). Maybe you and Cubby can have another date there someday.

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  5. what a handsome photo of Mr. Cubby. You two dress good.

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  6. Oh, surrrreeee...don't invite the rest of us! Sounds like a lovely evening with lovely company. Glad you guys enjoyed it.

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  7. Sounds like a lovely evening out.

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  8. I will never forget seeing it on Broadway in May of 2002. We had just come from ground zero and therefore were emotionally primed! Tears flowed. Glad you two had a great time.

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