Marius, Oh Marius

Last Sunday, I caught the 25th anniversary performance of Les Miserables on PBS. (Steven Keaton would be so proud.) 15 years ago, when I was a young, impressionable high schooler, I saw the 10th anniversary show on the same local PBS affiliate, WILL. Of course both were shown during pledge time, to pull in the big bucks. (Again, Mr. Keaton would be proud.) I was mildly surprised to see 1/3 of the Brothers Jonas in this latest reincarnation of one of the best musicals ever. (Mildly, cause where else to go for a teen pop star than London's West End???) My review is most definitely mixed.

While I give young Nick mad props for trying to drop his pop-only image*, I think he was trying a leeeetle to hard to impress the audience. His face often looked pained while singing, and his falsetto was wavery and weak. He did a good job for a young 20-something, but I have Michael Ball in mind...the huge, gigantic voice of Michael Ball, whose performance in the 10th anniversary show made me goose-pimply. (His dimples may have helped in that.) I enjoyed seeing the show on PBS again, but the 10th anniversary concert show is far superior, all the way from Valjean to Eponine (the amazing Lea Salonga, who took over duties as Fantine this go-around) to the subject of this entry, Marius.

But, don't hesitate to do yourself a favor and catch this latest performance if your station throws it on again before pledge drive is over: It's still better than going to the Assembly Hall to see something. (ZING!)

*How I pray Bieber doesn't follow his lead and try to take over Broadway. I'd throw up in mouth.