No work for me ... it's a PLAY day, and after the kids all opened their gifts ... Pop-Pop headed off to see Les Miz! It was an awesome 2 hours and 45 minutes. Not up to the Broadway cast vocally, but the visuals and concept art were fantastic. Not one of the stars could keep up with the singing voices of the stage characters, but they made up for it in their acting and emotion. Poor Russel Crowe - he actually has a nice voice, but not the powerful, belting kind that the role called for. Still, with all it wasn't, it WAS a terrific rendition. Kind of like reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" and then watching the movie - both fantastic, but the book is better because of what the imagination can do that the eyes can't.
Go see it - it's well worth the 3 hours spent shoulder to shoulder with fellow art enthusiasts.
Here's my report card for singing only: (remember, the total package was wonderful ... in spite of their interpretations and capability)
Eponine: B+ really wonderful, but the easiest role to sing
Fontine: B+ great job, but she's not a traditional soprano
Marius: B+ Mandy Patinkin-esq voice - great range, nice tone
ValJean: B strong, but either over or under emotional at times. Excellent control
Cosette: B nice pipes, but uncontrolled vibrato. Pretty tome
Javer: C+ soft, pop voice .. not strong enough to be convincing. Weak upper range

Funny, I felt almost cheated that I couldn't applaud each number, like we do in a theater ... the transitions were great, but the singer recognition was missing ... pity. There was one surprise that the trailers didn't even HINT at ... I won't spoil it for avid theater-goers, but I sat there beaming because I knew the secret!(well, not a secret exactly, but a wonderful surprise guest star)

So .... another family party today - the 4th in 3 days ... no time for work for THIS old road warrior. No one's going to write on my tombstone "I wish I had more time to work"! lol
More power to you all who do the "gig" thing on Christmas, but I put in enough holiday hours over the years - Christmas is never a work day for me.

BTW - I've seen it "live" 12 times already and I have tickets in 3 weeks in Philly, so I DO have my educated opinions! I am a true fan, and even the weakest performances can cleanse and enrich my soul. I sit in awe of the words and music every time. I thank God for my hearing.
Merry Christmas everyone!