Les Misérables, also known as Les Mis, or Les Miz, is a musical based on the same-titled book by Victor Hugo (1862). It premiered in Paris in 1980, has run continuously in London since 1985, and first opened as a pre-Broadway tryout in December 1986, eventually premiering on Broadway in March 1987. After 6,680 performances, Les Misérables closed in May 2003.
The show is set in early 19th-century France, and tells the story of Jean Valjean, a peasant, who is sentenced to prison for stealing a loaf of bread in order to help feed his sister’s starving child. Valjean escapes and is relentlessly hunted by a police inspector, Javert. Valjean and others are swept up into the revolution, where a group of young idealists make their last stand.
Here is a clip from the 1987 Tony Awards program.
At the end of the day you’re another day older
And that’s all you can say for the life of the poor
It’s a struggle, it’s a war
And there’s nothing that anyone’s giving
One more day standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
Favorite, favorite, favorite! And I have yet to see anyone do Jean Valjean as well as Colm Wilkinson. I fell in love with that man! My favorite song from this movie? “Bring Him Home.” It was stuck in at the last moment, like a day or two before the opening. When Wilkinson sang it in rehearsal the very first time there was not a dry eye in the place. LOVE that story. Was so tickled when he got to play the priest in the movie with Hugh Jackman.
Calen~
Impromptu Promptlings
A to Z Challenge Letter L
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Does it get any better than Les Miserables. I don’t go out much, and even I bought tickets to this. Great choice.
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Thanks, Jacqui. One of my favorites, for sure!
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Hi Martha – I’ve seen the film and often seen clips about the musical … it’s an amazing telling of a story … with wonderful music .. cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/l-is-for-legendary-beasts-of-britain.html
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Thanks, Hilary!
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Definitely a favorite. I have seen it on stage in Dallas and Ft. Worth about 6 to 8 times. I lost count a while back. I loved the movie, too, but think the stage is best. It’s one of those where I know all the words and notes. Yes, I read a translation of the book, too. And toured Mr. Hugo’s house in Place des Vosges in Paris. Yup, I’m a fan.
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Forgiveness and Redemption…My all time favorite musical !!! ❤
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Yes! Timeless. It gives me chills, every time.
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I have seen this one on stage. Good pick. There is a Sesame Street spoof of this play with Cookie Monster.
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I’ve seen it on stage, too, Denise. Both the stage production and the movie were excellent, in my opinion.
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Good pick. Les Mis is powerful, epic, passionate, inspirational, and revolutionary. It is such an emotional musical with this incredible underlying spirituality. It is such an incredible and complex storyline.
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Yes! All those things! It moves me. Thank you.
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The story of hope, compassion, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humanity, redemption and those themes are why its uplifting. Les Mis truly changed the way I view musicals
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