2013 Tony Awards Clip Countdown: #3 - The Lasting Legacy Of LES MISERABLES

Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's 2013 Tony Awards Clip Countdown with a special spotlight focused on one of the most popular and enduring musicals of all time, LES MISERABLES.

I Dreamed A Dream

War. Death. Poverty. Prostitution. Victor Hugo. Not the normal expected elements of a modern musical, are they? Yet, today, just as in 1985, a musical stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's seminal LES MISERABLES would be just as daring and audacious to take on had Cameron Mackintosh, Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer not embarked on the risky path that would ultimately lead to one of the most celebrated and recognized musicals in theatrical history being created, produced and performed - and, most recently, one of the most famous movie musicals of all time resulting from it all, as well.

The original West End production of LES MISERABLES first began at the Barbican Centre, with the participation and patronage of the Royal Shakespeare Company along with lead producer Mackintosh acting as captain of the big, big ship - and what an epic, unforeseeable voyage it turned out to be! Nevertheless, the production was met with middling ticket sales and many unfavorable reviews in its early days - nothing like LES MIZ ever existed before, lest we forget, so it took some time to catch on - but, not too long. Audiences started to respond to the material and the immediate, titanically emotional themes in the piece as well as intimately relate to the tragic plights of the dozens of characters contained within the expansive, three-hour-plus experience as it had been envisioned by the creative team. It really worked onstage after all - and it packed a huge punch, leaving the audience breathless and exhilarated.

And, what a team it was that was responsible for pulling it all off! With a score by Boublil and Schonberg with an all new English translation courtesy of Herbert Kretzmer, the creators worked alongside Mackintosh and co-directors Trevor Nunn and John Caird to create something totally, wholly unique in the theatrical realm, refining the material all the while and honing in on making it the absolute perfect distillation of the themes inherent in Hugo's novel. Mostly sung-through and overflowing with pop lyricism and copious usage of operatic leitmotif, LES MISERABLES is quite unlike any other musical and each carefully constructed element - every character motivation and dramatic moment - converges with the others to collectively create a masterful stew of musical near-nirvana for those swayed by its spell.

Then, there are the songs - the most unforgettable solo and group numbers of the thirty-plus major songs in the score, I mean. Sure, by now, everyone around the world is more or less familiar with Fantine's plaintive ballad "I Dreamed A Dream" thanks to internationally recognized versions by BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT superstar Susan Boyle and this year's recipient of Best Supporting Actress Academy Award, Anne Hathaway - but, what of the rest? "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables", "Bring Him Home", "Drink With Me", "On My Own", "One Day More" - the list goes on. And, anyway, before those two world-famous leading ladies and their well-regarded versions of the hit appeared, there was the incomparable originator of the role and song - none other than the one and only Patti LuPone, who took home a Best Actress Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in the original West End production, but refrained from appearing in the subsequent Broadway transfer, unfortunately.

Speaking of which, LES MISERABLES ported over a handful of the West End leads - Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle (who won Best Featured Actress In A Musical at that year's Tony Awards) most notably - for its Broadway bow in 1987, employing the rich talents of many of Broadway's best to fill out the considerable amount of other roles - Terrence Mann, Randy Graff, Judy Kuhn, Anthony Crivello, Michael Maguire (who won Best Featured Actor In A Musical) and more included. LES MISERABLES originally ran on Broadway from March, 1987 to May, 2003. Subsequently, a 2006 Broadway revival arrived and ran for two years on the Great White Way, as well. Believe it or not, LES MISERABLES still runs to this very day in the West End, though - almost thirty years after its debut! No easy feat. Needless to say, the 2012 feature film adaptation directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe has introduced the property to a whole new audience - and endeared the musical to all of our hearts even more than before, if that was even possible.

Plus, in one year more, LES MIZ comes back to Broadway - then, we can all take in the live experience again! So, do you hear the people sing yet? If not... soon!

The 2013 Tony Awards air Sunday, June 9, at 8 PM on CBS. More information is available at the official site here.

One Day More

So, now, let's take a look at some of the best LES MISERABLES-related moments over the years as they pertain to the lasting legacy of this lauded and beloved mega-musical.

First up, witness the show-stopping Tony Awards performance by the original cast of LES MISERABLES on the 1987 telecast.

Experience original Fantine Patti LuPone recreate her iconic "I Dreamed A Dream" at the 1991 Royal Variety Performance.

Next, enjoy this vintage clip of Tony-winner Frances Ruffelle endearingly performing "On My Own".

Go behind the scenes of the original London production of LES MIZ with the fascinating and illuminating STAGE BY STAGE documentary.

Spy the 2012 London cast of LES MISERABLES performing live at the 2012 Olivier Awards.

View the trailer for the 2012 feature film adaptation of LES MISERABLES.

Lastly, see the cast of the LES MIZ movie musical perform live on the 2013 Academy Awards.

What element of LES MISERABLES makes it such a memorable musical experience, in your opinion - both now and thirty years ago? Furthermore, what masterful melody is your absolute favorite of them all in this impossibly rich, decadent score? Whatever it is, it's surely a tune sure to make the people sing - over and over and over again.