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Riedel Reveals that Boyle Made Boublil's 'Dream' Come True

By: Apr. 22, 2009
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The New York Post's Michael Riedel spoke to legendary musical theatre lyricist Alain Boublil about Susan Boyle's stunning performance of his song, "I Dream A Dream".

Boublil, along with composer Claude-Michel Schonberg, wrote the song for the long-running hit "Les Miserables."

"Piaf was a small woman who looked like nothing. And then she opened her mouth, and this beautiful sound came out", he remarked to Michael Riedel, adding, "You expect nothing," he said and then she opens her mouth and you get three or four of the most exciting moments I have ever seen on television. Act I: She arrives and everyone is laughing at her. Act II: She bowls them over. Act III: Everyone is out of their seats. "You cannot plan any of that. My wife was crying when she saw it. Even the most cynical people I know have been moved."

"I Dreamed a Dream" was one of the first songs Boublil wrote for "Les Miz" in 1979 reports Riedel, for the entire interview in The New York Post, click here.

The unassuming 47 year old Susan Boyle wowed the judges with her performance in the auditions for the latest season of Britains Got Talent, singing "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables.

Boyle, an unemployed woman who's "nearly 48," talked about her cat, and joked around with the judges, noting that she had "never been kissed." The entire audience prepared for the worst as she began her song, but, once she starting singing the crowd and judges were transported by her emotional and theatrical take on the number!

The Britains Got Talent's first season was won by a cell phone salesman who sang opera songs, Paul Potts. Potts was also physically unassuming at first blush on the show. It appears Susan Boyle has struck a very similar cord at the start of this season as well. To watch the performance, click here. Judge Simon Cowell is now reportedly setting up a record deal for her, she has also become the favortie to win the top slot on the program.

On October 8, 1985 Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre, London and musical theatre history was made. It then moved to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985. On March 12, 1987, the American version opened at the Broadway Theatre.

Since then, Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer has travelled the globe and won many major awards throughout the world, including eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. Les Misérables has touched the heart of its international audience as few shows in history have ever done.

This power derives both from the enormous strength of the theatrical adaptation (produced by Cameron Mackintosh, directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird) and from the timeless reality of the titanic novel upon which the show is based, Victor Hugo's classic, Les Misérables.



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