As we were walking out of the theater after seeing Les Miserables in Chicago about 15 years ago, I remember asking both our kids and Art what their favorite song was.
Art knew right away. He really loved Bring Him Home. Jean Valjean sings this imploring God to protect the young man, Marius who loves Valjean's adopted daughter, Cosette. I can see Art wanting to give his own life for his children and doing everything he could to ensure they would always be able to come home.
Tiffany said her favorite song was I Dreamed a Dream. Tif is every empathetic and a song of such heartbreak would appeal to her sensitive heart.
We were stunned to hear Jon's choice. He said he liked the song Inspector Javert sings before his suicide. Javert is a man driven to bring Jean Valjean back to prison even though his crime had only been to steal a loaf of bread.
"Why?" we asked incredulously. "Why would you choose a man who was so evil?"
"He wasn't necessarily evil", disagreed Jon. "He was just determined and he strongly believed in what he thought was right and what was wrong. He believed in it so much that it drove his entire life and he died for it."
My favorite was the rousing finale song, Do You Hear the People Sing?
Why do I like it so much? I guess it's because it represented the passion of people trying to right a wrong and who were willing to give their lives to that effort. I really respect and admire that despite the tragedy that they failed. Still, it made me leave the theater wanting to do something to make the world a better place.
Isn't it wonderful when a song can do that? Not necessarily from this play, but is there a song that moves you?
Art knew right away. He really loved Bring Him Home. Jean Valjean sings this imploring God to protect the young man, Marius who loves Valjean's adopted daughter, Cosette. I can see Art wanting to give his own life for his children and doing everything he could to ensure they would always be able to come home.
Tiffany said her favorite song was I Dreamed a Dream. Tif is every empathetic and a song of such heartbreak would appeal to her sensitive heart.
We were stunned to hear Jon's choice. He said he liked the song Inspector Javert sings before his suicide. Javert is a man driven to bring Jean Valjean back to prison even though his crime had only been to steal a loaf of bread.
"Why?" we asked incredulously. "Why would you choose a man who was so evil?"
"He wasn't necessarily evil", disagreed Jon. "He was just determined and he strongly believed in what he thought was right and what was wrong. He believed in it so much that it drove his entire life and he died for it."
My favorite was the rousing finale song, Do You Hear the People Sing?
Why do I like it so much? I guess it's because it represented the passion of people trying to right a wrong and who were willing to give their lives to that effort. I really respect and admire that despite the tragedy that they failed. Still, it made me leave the theater wanting to do something to make the world a better place.
Isn't it wonderful when a song can do that? Not necessarily from this play, but is there a song that moves you?
I have never seen Les Miserables. That is a rousing song. I will see the movie when it comes to Netflix so I've got a while to wait.
ReplyDeleteYou have made such a strong case for Les Miz that I really must see it now.
ReplyDeleteI guess which ever song ASPCA is clubbing our hearts (it's not always the same one) with these days makes me want to make things better for those sad brown eyes.
In Les Mis, I agree with Tif, I Dream a Dream is so moving it makes ME cry. There are plenty of other songs out there but sitting here this morning not one comes to mind. I'm old. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for netflix too though I've seen the musical years ago...A song hmm...all I can think of is church hymns although there was a popular song years ago when I divorcing that helped me-You can't please everyone, you can only please yourself...lol!
ReplyDeleteI can't really name any songs off the top of my head, but I love that feeling
ReplyDeleteNever seen that production but my favorite tune is George Harrison's "My Guitar Gently Weeps"...played by so many artists like the grand daddy of song for pop guitarists. I tend to like edgy messy tunes so I'm.no judge of fine inspirational songs.
ReplyDeleteBut it is interesting that Jon was able to respect such deep integrity at such a young age. He must be a remarkable intelligent person as a grownup today. Awe....you and gigi have such wonderful fine kids.
L....w
There I go butchering George's most favorite song....it's correctly titled "While my guitar gently weeps...
DeleteL...w
There are so many songs the Beatles did that I love. "Imagine" comes quickly to mind though.
Delete"I Dreamed a Dream" is my favorite from Les Miserables. "Here Comes The Sun" by the Beatles is a song that can always lift my spirits.
ReplyDeleteIt would move me too since we've hardly seen the sun in a week!
DeleteI cannot imagine ever being that driven. But the music is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 40th. Bravo....I'm here clapping for both of you and your ability to love and communicate for 40 years.
I just saw the PBS 25th Anniversary of Les Miserbles before Christmas and I just loved it
ReplyDeleteHave not seen the new movie yet, can't wait until my foot heals.
My favorite song is "Bring Him Home" I close my eyes and i can hear my Grandfather.
I like Bring Him Home... just for the plaintive melody! Interesting how you all like different songs! Happy New Year Kay!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't listen to music at all, not even in the car or at home.
ReplyDeleteAll wonderful choices Kay. It's a marvelous production. Are you going to see the movie version? I was wondering what people thought of it.
ReplyDeleteWe did see Les Miserables last Thursday and I did a movie review of it. It was interesting to read other people's opinions of the movie. It really did get mixed reviews even though we thought it was fabulous!
DeleteThe songs that really moved me are the folk songs of my youth.
ReplyDeleteI loved the theatre show. My son, the actor, is just finishing a musical. I'm not sure I'll rent the movie. The live show on stage is powerful!
ReplyDeleteI have the score and play these songs on the piano, when the spirit moves me! I can't think of a fave. Great post!