Les Miserables

I'm having another flashback. I'm remembering the first time I saw Les Miserables.

It was an epic event. It began when my sister got the original Broadway soundtrack for her birthday. She listened to it over and over. I begged her to let me listen to it over and over. I was amazed. I was moved. I'd never heard anything like it. I think I was about 12.

We bought the piano vocal music. I learned the songs by heart and could sing and play them.

I read the book, the unabridged version. I think I read it a couple of times. I would come straight home from school, go to my room, and just digest that book. Some of the French history was lost on me, but the courage and goodness of the priest and the transformation of Jean Valjean and the drama of Fantine and the romance of Cosette and Marius and the suspense of the chase from Javert kept me awake long into the nights.

Then an amazing thing happened. Les Mis came to our home town on tour. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep.

Frabjous day, I saw the play. It was everything I could've wanted and more. It was over two hours, but every moment intoxicated me and by the end I was still begging for more. Watching this wonderful story played out with incredible music and beautiful staging was heaven for me. I think I cried just about the entire time.

I left determined to help the poor and needy. I think I was a better person.

I have seen the story played out several times since, including a high school production and concert versions on pbs and a film with Liam Neeson. It never ceases to move me.

I can't wait to see or sing it again.