Welcome to my cyber conservatory, a glass-walled, tile-floored, plant-filled room overlooking the tiered gardens of my English country manor. OK, I really live in an ordinary house in
and instead went with a friend to see, of all things, a high school production of Les Miserables. No, my daughter wasn't in it, not even as a musician in the pit. It wasn't even her high school. I went because I love this story and because Les Mis is absolutely my favorite Broadway show, not that I've seen tons, but I did see this one several times back in the 90s, one of those times being when my cousin John was traveling with one of the touring companies as stage manager. There are no words to describe the experience of going back stage with him after the show and seeing the dressing rooms, costumes and props, and then actually going on stage -- yes, that legendary revolving stage -- and getting up close and personal with...the BARRICADE. "Awesome" is a word I rarely use because so few things really deserve the distinction, but the barricade at close quarters truly is awesome. But I digress. Tonight's performance was as close to a professional production as can be imagined. Not only did those kids hit every musical note just right, they hit all the emotional notes equally well. I was misting, I was choking up. When Fontine dies...then Eponine and all the guys...and then when those ghosts drift onstage at the end and everybody sings, "To love another person is to see the face of God."...well, forget it. I was done in. It was wonderful. Thank you, Taravella High School, and all the best to you when you take this production to the State Festival in Tampa. 
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