The musical "Les Miserables" has deeply affected many metro Atlantans, some of whom shared personal stories after I wrote about my love of the show last week.
They included a woman who found solace in the musical after the death of her husband, and a juvenile court judge who is considering showing the movie to troubled youths. Other admirers were a teacher who made the story mandatory reading, and a father and daughter who saw it years ago and still sing one of its songs to each other.
We decided to let people share the impact of “Les Miz” on their lives. These stories came to us in emails after my Dec. 27 story about the opening of the movie version appeared. Some responses have been edited for space.
Jerrie Woodward, 88, of Sandy Springs
In 1986, when my husband was being treated for lymphoma in Bethesda, Md., we had been given tickets to London for our first trip abroad. He was to be given a few months reprieve from chemo and this was to be our time to have some downtime for recovery. Unfortunately, the visit to Bethesda for his last treatment did not go as expected, and seven weeks later, I came home alone to bury him.
What about the trip? My son, who had given us the tickets, said to me, “Go on with one of the girls,” so after a few months, my youngest daughter and I planned the trip. In looking for a play to attend, we chose to see “Les Miz,” which was fairly new then.
I had a difficult time finding a tape to hear the music, but when I did find it, I set about immersing myself in the music and story of forgiveness and redemption. This became my vehicle for grieving — playing the tape over and over, writing the words (I had no libretto to work from) and talking daily with my daughter about “Les Miz” and growing to love the story again. (I first heard of Valjean in a Sunday school devotional as an adolescent.)
Since that time, I have seen it in New York in 1989 with the London cast and Atlanta several times and of course each time it’s on PBS’ fundraising. It has never lost its impact on me.
Velma Tilley, Bartow County Juvenile Court judge
Recently I told one of my lawyers that the final song really captures why I do the work that I do — “Will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand with me? Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?”
I have thought many times of how I would like to take the teenagers who come before me to it and hear their reaction. I would hope it would inspire them. Now it is very accessible. When it comes out on DVD, perhaps I’ll get it for the court and incorporate it into informal adjustments or probation.
Sylvia Davidson, Atlanta, retired high school teacher in DeKalb County
I first saw the play in London in the summer of 1986. After buying a single ticket from a scalper, I found my balcony seat and was just settling in when a whole row of 12-year-old (about) boys filed into the row behind me. My first thought was about the talking, giggling, and seat-kicking that was about to ensue from that group. Dread.
I was wrong, though. They were obviously as enthralled as I and all of the other theatergoers were! We were all part of the standing ovation that took place at the beginning of the intermission!
Anyway, I’ve seen the play eight times since then (various cities). But my love of this soaring, uplifting story and music didn’t stop there; I wanted to share it with everyone, particularly my high school students. So, the book became required reading (I allowed the abridged version since I knew most would never get through the complete version). After I spent hours at home playing the cassette tape of the original production so that I could type the lyrics of many of the songs, I distributed copies in the classroom while I played the music. Then, it was “field trip” time! Those tenth-graders (in the late ’80s and early ’90s) saw the play at the Fox with me.
Last week, after seeing the movie on Christmas Day, I commented on Facebook about it and received LOTS of comments from former students (now in their 40s) who have special memories of their first experience with the book, music, play. Many have become as obsessed about it as I have!
John Pruitt, 70, retired anchor for Channel 2 Action News
Before I took my teenage daughters to the Fox for their first “Les Miz” performance, I sat them down to watch the Fredric March-Charles Laughton film, which is a beautiful rendering of this classic tale. I wanted them to know Jean Valjean’s story before seeing the musical. It may not have been necessary. They were absorbed and transported by their experience at the Fox.
To this day, my youngest daughter (now 35) and I love to sing that dueling duet between Valjean and Javert just after Fantine’s death.
Are you a Les Miz fan? Got a story that shows how much Les Miz means to you? Just scroll down and leave your comments below.
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