Les Miserables - In Concert (2008, DVD)

I purchased this after seeing the production on PBS. I've seen the play in two versions of its north American tour, and know the musical quite well from seeing it, reading the libretto, and being the parent of a talented musician (the songs from "Les Mis" are staples at high school, college, and community theater concerts).

As this was the Tenth Anniversary production of "Les Mis," the producers were able to pull together a cast of stars-- the best actors from numerous international runs of the famous musical, who had in many cases never acted together. The result is stunning. Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean set the gold standard for the part in the original London cast: a performance that will inspire you, break your heart, and inspire you all over again. Lea Salonga is luminous as Eponine, her role in the Broadway cast. Ruthie Henshall appears as Fantine, as she did in one of the London productions. Michael Ball (Marius- London), Michael Maguire (Enjolras- Broadway), Judy Kuhn (Cosette- Broadway), and Phillip Quast (Javier- Australia) complete the dramatic parts, while Jenny Galloway and Alun Armstrong carry the comedic/ cynical parts of Mme. and Monsieur Thenardier. The excellent cast is backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a cast of 200-some choristers.

This is not by any means a film of the musical in its entirety. It is really a concert, with costumes, performers at microphones, and little or no staging. It does leave some relevant details out. Even so, it conveys the power and the passion of the musical in a way that may be far better than Hollywood will allow if and when they make a movie of "Les Mis." Hollywood would probably feel the need to pull in big names from the movies, regardless of their ability to sing the parts well.

I strongly recommend this DVD for any lover of musical theater.