LES MISÈRABLES Complete Symphonic Recording VS. 2010 cast album — Page 2

There's a complete performance of the show on YouTube from 1998 starring John Owen-Jones that has the well scene with little Cosette. It's a bootleg and in 14 parts, but seems pretty complete. I'll try to find it...

ETA: Here we go, the well scene is at about 7:00:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyMZUELGaW4&feature=relmfu

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 06:33 AM

The reason the well scene isn't on the CSR is because it wasn't a part of the show at the time the recording was made. The scene was added as part of the Broadway 10th anniversary production in 1997. The CSR was recorded in 1988.

A well scene similar to what we have now did exist but was cut during the original Barbican run.

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I don't know what it is, but I always get choked up when Valjean sings "...tell me my child what is your name?" and the solo woodwind that follows, ending in Cosette telling him her name.

I guess because it's such a defining moment and the way it's set to music makes the eyes misty.

Depending on who's playing Valjean, sometimes the actor does something that adds to my already choked up reaction; after Cosette tells Valjean her name, I love it when he whispers partially to himself "Cosette!" because it sends the message he is relieved to have found her and was likely out looking for some time. And she has lost her mother and doesn't know it, so when Valjean is relieved, you can sort of relate since we've been rallying for Cosette the whole time and want Valjean to find her and rescue her from the evil Thenardiers.

There's many great moments in the show but, for some reason, that one gets to me more than most.

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Wait, have you not seen the show since 1997?

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Updated On: 6/27/12 at 01:16 PM

"I don't know what it is, but I always get choked up when Valjean sings "...tell me my child what is your name?" and the solo woodwind that follows, ending in Cosette telling him her name.

I guess because it's such a defining moment and the way it's set to music makes the eyes misty."

Myohmy, I absolutely agree! It is the only moment in the show that always makes me misty eyed.

I can't believe they seem to ignore this part in almost all of the concerts and recordings.

In the movie trailer you can see JVJ walking away with Cosette with a bucket so sounds like that's in the movie.

It's hard to tell if it'll be sung, but the 'well scene' is definitely in the movie, or at least it's in the trailer. There are several bits from it (Cosette looking scared in the woods, Valjean smiling and touching his hat brim, Cosette smiling, and the two of them walking hand in hand through the snow with Valjean carrying the bucket).

They did say there would be some dialogue, but I personally don't think they'll change this scene. Dialogue wouldn't be more effective than the sung lines. Guess we'll see!

IMO, the Original London Recording is worth getting just for Rebecca Caine singing 'I Saw Him Once' (which ended up being cut). Her singing that song is absolute heaven.