Les Miserables 25 Years Later

In early 1987, in the first year of our marriage, my wife and I saw Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC before it made its way to Broadway. We were fortunate to see it again at The National Theater in DC and later at The Landmark Theater in Richmond.

It’s a longtime favorite of ours. We love the music, the story, the staging. I was even inspired enough to read the book.

So when the chance came around to see the 25th Anniversary tour again at the Kennedy Center, we decided that as we approach our own 25th anniversary, that it would be a nice treat.

The show does not disappoint.

The casting was incredible. Amazing voices. Amazing talents.

When I first heard that the show had been restaged, I was concerned. After all, the turntable was key to the telling of the story. The turntable caused issues in the early U.S. performances, but those details were worked out. I couldn’t imagine not having the turntable as the cast marched through the streets singing “One Day More.”

And, I didn’t have to use my imagination. The sets have been redesigned based on some of Victor Hugo’s own paintings, and the effect is remarkable. Let’s just say if you know the story that the marching scene, the scene traveling through the sewers and Javert’s suicide are worth seeing it.

Les Miserables is a story of redemption, story of courage, a story of love.

It’s a story I could watch time and time again.

According to the official Les Miserables website, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe will star in the film production due out in 2012. I can’t wait.

Mad About Mad Men

It was an innocent enough request. I had some work I had to do in the home office a couple of Friday nights ago so I quickly posted on Facebook that I needed something mindless and fun to watch on Netflix.

A friend responded: Mad Men.

I don’t watch much regular television. My wife and I recently finished up Design Star and are plugging our way through Project Runway. But since LOST and Battlestar Galactica finished their runs, I haven’t had a regular show. Well, I am still waiting on the second season of Glee to show up on Netflix.

Maybe I watch more tv than I thought.

Anyway, I gave Mad Men a try.

That was all it took, and a week and half later, I’ve gone through Seasons 1-4 and am now anxiously awaiting Season 5 coming next year.

Mad Men is AMC nighttime grownup drama about the advertising men (and women) of Madison Avenue in the early 60s. And they’ve won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row.

But, it’s more than that. It’s drama, romance, soap opera and contemporary (more or less) history all in one action packed hour. It’s graphic and there’s lots of people having lots of sex. AMC also must think it’s really cool to get away with saying $#!* on television.

Mad Men is well written and always leaves you wanting more. Like the more I’m waiting on because Season 5 has been delayed until March, 2012.

I particularly love the weaving of history into the events that affect the characters. Events like the fear experienced during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, or the sadness of Marilyn Monroe’s death or even moreso the assasination of President Kennedy. Using actual footage of the event, you felt the shock when one of the characters witnessed the shooting of Lee Harvey oswald on “live” television.

If you’re not already a fan, catch Mad Men on Netflix or on DVD. It’s some of the best television out there.