Imagine my delight and surprise while searching the web for clips from the musical, that I stumble upon a website advertising a concert......with the ENTIRE original cast from Paris................Playing all the songs from the musical (I think....the French translation was a little vague on what is actually being performed)........for one short tour just before Christmas! I was absolutely ecstatic! Who would have thought that this would ever happen! In 12 years, there has not been a reunion. It took a little digging online, but then I came across a Russian site and with some "help" from Google Chrome (not sure how helpful it was) I found out that for 4 shows, this entire thing was going down. BUT there was a catch--Russia.
Why the cast/producers/anyone would choose to host this in Russia is absolutely beyond me. I personally have nothing against Russia, and I actually plan on visiting it one day. But right now it is kind of a dangerous and expensive place. One would have assumed that if the cast of NDdP were to do a reunion concert of some sort, that it would be in Paris or Quebec. Alas, such was not the case. Undeterred, and uninformed as to just how crazy an idea this was, I looked up ticket prices and availability, and hotel information and compared the dates to my schedule. And wouldn't you know, one of the shows fit perfectly with my schedule. I would only miss the last day of class to fly there and come back a day before any of my finals. Granted, the timing of this (the weekend before finals) was not the most perfect, but it was definitely workable.
There was only one way that this could possibly work, and it would be to have the trip be my Christmas present. However, I thought I was clever and found a way to make it work. By using my Dad's frequent flier miles and hotel points the actual travel would be nearly free. If I bought the ticket myself, I couldn't feel guilty asking for this present that would cost so little. There was, of course, the slight problem of going my myself, but I figured that I would probably be ok.
When I sent my parents the proposition, I think that they did think carefully and weigh the options. The major issues of going alone and being in Russia were the major hang-ups. I couldn't go alone. That much was certain, but as it turned out, my dad couldn't go with me. The effort, time and money to get him the proper visa was astronomical. Also, the information regarding the true dangers of Russia in its current state for American tourists was enough for my parents to, reluctantly, crush my dream. For a few glorious days, I was able to hold to a dream that I would get to experience this once-in-a-lifetime show.
It was really hard for me to try and explain this to other people. Its just a show, a musical, and its all in French. Why is this such a big deal? I came to the conclusion that when something is beautiful and sweet and powerful in a way that speaks to your soul, there are no words to describe its meaning. I could not say it, because it was not something within the petty scope of spoken word.
Below are some links to pieces of the show that were posted online. I can only hope and pray, with the rest of the world, that the troupe decides to come to a place where more of their worldwide fans can come. I wait with baited breath and hope in my heart.
Long clip of the second act: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr3TGQHYJR8
Song "Belle"--Best song in the WHOLE WORLD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv6Xd-9rwnw&feature=related
And just for kick and giggles, here is the link to the original version of Belle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBXeXBpTVOk
p.s. I have to be honest. I like the original version of most of the songs in the play better. But the concert still looks AWESOME! I would sell my firstborn child to go to that show!
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