Why Les Misérables Still Makes the People Sing

Les Misérables is the longest-running show on the West End and the third-longest running on Broadway. Yet some people, the people who never got behind the idea of the epic musical, still refuse to acknowledge its greatness. However, the proof of its success is in the crowds of people that are still flocking to see the show in several different languages in many different countries (not to mention the countless mediocre high school productions of the show). What has made people fall in love with this play to make it still a topic of conversation 23 years later?

Clearly, the show has some artistic merit, earning 8 Tony awards for the original Broadway production in 1987 (including Best Musical and Best Original Score). And it must have some appeal to the masses as well, otherwise it would not have enjoyed such lasting success.

For those who may not be familiar with the show, Les Misérables is based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo. It was adapted for the stage by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. It is the story of Jean Valjean on his quest for redemption. The show begins as Valjean is being released from prison to begin his parole. The policeman Javert releases him, but lets him know that he will still be a presence in his life. Valjean, after 19 years of prison, attempts to steal some silver from a bishop who offers him hospitality. He is caught, but the bishop has him released, saying that the silver has bought Valjean's soul for God. Valjean vows to change his life and breaks his parole.

8 years later, Valjean is the mayor of his town and owns a factory. Javert is still pursuing him from breaking parole. Valjean takes pity on a girl forced into prostitution named Fantine, and as she dies, he promises her that he will take care of her young daughter, Cosette. Cosette has been forced to work for the (rather corrupt) Thenadiers, who own an inn. Valjean reveals himself to Javert when he learns that they've arrested another man thinking he was Valjean. Valjean overpowers Javert and, after collecting Cosette, runs again.

9 years later in Paris, the students are getting ready for a revolution. Cosette meets a young student, Marius, in the streets and they instantly fall in love (yeah, I know what you're thinking, but it's sweet). Unfortunately, Eponine Thenardier, who grew up with Cosette, is also in love with Marius, but she knows it is hopeless because she lives on the street and he is wealthy. Meanwhile, Javert is still relentlessly pursuing Valjean.

All these conflicts come to a climax against the backdrop of the French Revolution. I don't want to give away the ending. :-)

So what's the appeal?

Valjean's story of his struggle to escape the punishment of the law (personified by Javert) is universal. Valjean has been slaving away in prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Javert hunts him down until they are both old men because of that loaf of bread. Valjean's acknowledgment of his fallen condition and his attempt to make something better of his life is a beautiful portrait of the human condition. It relates to everyone with a conscience who tries to better themselves. And if that doesn't reach you, one of the characters and their subplots is bound to. The struggle of the people during the revolution pulls on the heartstrings. Marius and Cosette's budding feelings for each other with the worst case of bad timing ever is pathetic, but it gives the audience hope in the midst of all the blood and violence and corruption. Eponine's story of unrequited love makes her one of the most sympathetic characters (and my personal favorite). Fantine's sacrificial love for Cosette and her struggle cannot help but move you as she sings of being left by her lover and the cruelty of her life. The students that dream of a glorious new France sweep the audience into their enthusiasm and fervor. Even Javert is not above sympathy- his failure to understand Valjean's actions and his relentless pursuit of what he sees as right makes him a great character and a sympathetic "villain."

The score is also very beautiful and moving. Many of the songs are well known in the musical/showtune community. "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," and "Bring Him Home" are all beautiful solos and bittersweet songs. "Do You Hear The People Sing" and "One Day More" are huge ensemble pieces that make you want to rush into battle and put up French flags around your house. "Javert's Suicide" and "Who Am I" are more philosophical songs that deal with the nature of Valjean and Javert's existence and identities. And of course, songs like "Master of the House" are fan favorites that everyone loves to join in and sing (perhaps you've seen the episode of Seinfeld where George has the song stuck in his head).

The staging is fairly simplistic. It does not have elaborate sets and flashy dance sequences. The set employs a revolving stage, and the largest set pieces are the two pieces that form a barricade during the revolution. The staging allows the music to speak for itself. One of the most powerful moments on stage is after the battle is over, and the stage simply revolves slowly, displaying the damage and loss, while an instrumental reprise of "Bring Him Home" plays.

Les Misérables is a classic novel, and the musical is a classic as well. The story is timeless, and the music captures the story beautifully.

I saw the show on stage when the touring cast came to my hometown. I was 16, and it was the first professional musical I had ever seen. It changed my life. I bought the highlights recording the next day and my parents gave me the complete Original Broadway Cast recording for Christmas. I became a lover of musical theatre, and listening to and analyzing the shows became my hobby. So the show has some serious sentimental value for me, but even though I've been exposed to many more musicals in many different languages since, Les Mis is still in my top 3 favorites.

There are several good soundtrack options for Les Misérables. There have been endless debates among fans of the show as to which is the superior recording. I'll be honest- it simply depends on what you are looking for. Here are some possibilities:

• The Original Broadway Cast Recording- I'll admit to this one being my personal favorite. Most of the songs are included, but a few are cut (it is still really really long though, as the show contains no spoken dialogue). I prefer some of the subtle changes in the orchestrations and the casting changes in this version released in 1987. Terrence Mann as Javert is my absolute favorite in the role, and since I have a soft spot for Javert and he has some incredible songs, this casting choice is very important to me. Also, this recording features Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle reprising their original roles of Valjean and Eponine (both are EXCELLENT), and Judy Kuhn as Cosette (you may recognize her as Disney's Pocahontas).
• The Original London Cast Recording- Released in 1985, this was the first English language recording of the show (there is a 1980 French concept recording from Paris, but it's pretty rare to my understanding). Some people prefer this version of the musical because of the actors playing Javert (Roger Allam), Fantine (beloved Broadway diva Patti LuPone), and Marius (West End favorite Michael Ball). It is a good recording, but as I mentioned, the improvements made in the two years between this and the Broadway production make a lot of difference.
• The Complete Symphonic Cast Recording- Released in 1990, this recording won the Grammy for Best Musical Cast Show Album. It is the only English-language recording that contains the entire score, which makes it unique and worth listening to. However, I prefer other recordings because of the cast- many people will disagree with me because Philip Quast has a huge fan following, and he is a very good Javert. But Michael Ball is not my favorite Marius, and I do NOT like Tracy Shayne as Cosette (could this be because she divorced my favorite Phantom actor Hugh Panaro? ...Maybe). I also have a dislike for Anthony Warlow, who plays Enjolras. I love the character Enjolras, and it seems that Warlow keeps playing characters I like badly (he was also one of Broadway's Phantoms and he played Jekyll in the London recording of Jekyll and Hyde).
• The 10th Anniversary Concert (or the Dream Cast)- I also own this recording, as this one is both availible as a CD and a DVD. The DVD features almost the entire show performed as a concert, but with costumes and some stylized action. There are many perks to this version. One, the London Philharmonic playing the accompaniment. Two, the MASSIVE choral ensemble. Three- original cast members Colm Wilkinson and Michael Ball, original Broadway cast members Michael Maguire and Judy Kuhn, joined by the absolutely amazing Ruthie Henshall as Fantine and the widely-loved Lea Salonga as Eponine. Not to mention fan-favorite Philip Quast as Javert. (Other notable cast members are also from the original Broadway, London, and Australian casts.) The ending of the concert features several Valjeans singing "Do You Hear the People Sing" in their native languages, followed by the Valjeans and the whole cast singing the end of "One Day More." It's quite a sight. While the casting is only semi-perfect in my opinion, the DVD is a spectacular way to have Les Misérables to watch at your leisure (now that the Broadway revival has closed and the national tour has ended...can you tell I'm an American?). The ensemble pieces have never sounded better, and the solos (at least most of them) are spectacular. I also really like the conductor- he sings along with Javert at one point in the concert if you look closely.