LES MIZ B'way '87

Final Scene through curtain call: Original 1987 Broadway cast of "Les Miserables," with Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, Judy Kuhn, Frances Ruffelle, and David Bryant. Previously posted scene with original cast at • LES MIZ B'way '87

[@singerAR0406]

I cried uncontrollably from this moment to the very end of the show when I saw it in 1987.... perfection. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. There will never, ever be another Les Miz.

[@lamisere8337]

So lucky! I'd have loved to see this cast live. First saw it in 1989 in Los Angeles and I too was left in a state of shock over what I had seen. Seen it 29 more times since each and every time felt like the first time. I keep hoping that the original production is brought back from the dead and tours the U.S. again with the original orchestrations. If that ever happens, I'd be so happy, I'll have a permanent SMILE on my mug for all of eternity!

[@astoriacub]

Ditto... Wrecked. I was a wee 15 year old boy with tears running down my face.

[@inlovewithJLT]

I'm worried his may sound jaded, but I just want to say it's so cool seeing a perennial show like this in its infancy before performance choices became kind of standardized. I don't know how to describe it, but there's something so fresh and real about this, like they are actually living and reacting in this moment. I don't know, I still love this show and see it every chance I get, but there's a different feel here that's maybe not necessarily better, but very interesting.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thumbs up to this comment.

[@chocolatesouljah]

I agree.Well stated!

[@lamisere8337]

I am crying uncontrollably right now like never before!!! The fact it is a very rare video of the original Broadway cast has something to do with it but it's mostly because THIS IS LES MIS! As in, THIS is the way it was performed when I fell in love with it all those years ago, something that has now been lost. NOTHING will beat the power of the original production and especially the power of the early casts who performed it with passion and heart without the hammy melodrama, shouting, aggression, and emotion-killing speed it is performed with nowadays. This video comes during a time where I've been feeling especially nostalgic and have been missing my beloved original Les Mis so much it hurts. This video helped relieve some of that longing I feel for this, the definitive Les Mis. Thank you so much for this. Just when you thought you had seen it all as a HUGE fan of this musical, there are surprises around the corner and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Now that I've finished writing this post and my eyes have somewhat dried, I feel a little bit embarrassed that I cried so damn hard but then I remind myself that Les Mis was a huge part of my life. It was kind of like the soundtrack of my life for 2 decades and so this reaction is inevitable. Thank you for sharing this and reminding everyone why the original Les Mis is the best, from the original full and lush orchestrations to the simple yet tremendously effective direction, to the focused and emotionally building blocking, to the character defining costumes. It is all just so perfect. With just those few steps forward along with those strong and bold harmonies by the cast, I was a puddle on the floor. Just amazing. Thank you for sharing this! Please post more if you could. Send me a copy and I'll marry you (I'm gay so must be a dude), gift you my life savings (my piggie bank), sculpt a bronze statue of you (it'll look like E.T. since I can't sculpt to save my life), gift you my first born (ok so I have no kids. Will you take one very paranoid cat?) XD

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Great comment, thank you.

[@TenorJoshPage]

Dude I feel the same. My god I wish this was still what the production was like. Completely different magic.

[@HarringtonTribal]

I saw this cast at the Kennedy Center in DC the month before it went to Broadway. The audience audibly sobbed numerous times during the 3 hours - but most notably from the time of Gavroche's death, through The Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast (laughter through tears) all the way through the finale. People were visibly shaken when leaving the theatre. It was a collective cathartic experience. I remember hearing the guitar intro to the Finale (best played on the Symphonic recording) and thinking it was the most descriptive piece of music - haunting and peaceful, then sad and regretful and then back to haunting and peaceful in just a few measures. Sadly it's been hacked in the newer productions.

[@chrisnorman9980]

The one and only musical that I ever saw on Broadway. If I saw only one - I’m glad that it was this one. 1987. Unforgettable.

[@christopherbush9027]

The first professional musical I ever saw-and to this day it holds such a special place in my heart. I was a part of that generation that Les Miz and Phantom were a right of passage - and I’ll forever be grateful I was because it was a purely magical time in the theater world. Thank you so much for posting this Spiderwoman-you made my night!

[@joeytabasco7693]

Wow, I’m transcending. What a finale! I can’t help by cry each time I see it. This is unarguably one of the most moving pieces of theatre. Especially with members of the original Broadway cast. What an epic piece of history. Thank you for sharing!

[@astoriacub]

I saw the original cast in 1987. It was my first Broadway show and I had no idea of what I was about to see. It was life changing.

[@mshalo1822]

What a gem!! Brought me back to the day I saw this with the original Broadway cast- I'll never forget the sound of sobbing in the theater at this final scene. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@emmadumais2337]

I got all teary eyed when Cosette clung onto Valjean as he gives her his letter. Thank you so so so much aurora spiderwoman for posting this!!!!!

[@makeittrue]

Thank you so much!!! I did get to see it in March 1988 but just to see this clip with Judy & Frances!!! Right up to the curtain call! I especially wish I could have seen these two. :)

[@fatalkilroy]

I love seeing footage of the original production! Cameron Mackintosh has killed this version and replaced it with a cheap, hollow version.

[@wwl7461]

As always, thank you so much for posting. I saw this production in 88 and much of the original cast was still in it. Judy Kuhn had moved on to Chess.

[@tomgallowitz4464]

Saw Les Mis at the Imperial in 98, still original production though. You know its a hit when the applause occurs even before they finish singing

[@VeronicaConstantinides5]

Do you have any more videos of the OBC of Les Mis? I’d love to see them!

[@singerAR0406]

Aaand.... I'm crying again now. I loved it so much.

[@Erikslair]

I started crying the moment Valjean hugs Cossette and then suddenly dies. I saw Colm 3 times in Toronto; twice in one day!

[@AKoooooooo]

just beautiful. thank you so much for sharing. I'd do just about anything to see the dock sequence or the factory scene with this cast.

[@hawaii_five_0_girls76]

Thank you so much for posting this! I literally started crying while watching this

[@jscho8674]

Spectacular.

[@derickyyy]

Spectacular. Thank you for uploading! Do you have anymore clips from the OBC? I would love to hear I Dreamed a Dream.

[@GustavoLioy]

Wow. Just RIGHT NOW. thanks !!

[@lesmisfan514]

Wow, this is AMAZING!! Thank you for making my week! Do you have a clip of Castle On A Cloud from this performance? :)

[@VeronicaConstantinides5]

Do you happen to have Look Down Beggars or any other full musical numbers from this cast?

[@yummycoke3237]

agh im so happy this recording happens to exist by chance! i so badly wanted to see the curtain call with the original broadway cast, thank you for uploading! also in this specific show is that terrence mann as javert? im pretty sure it but i just cant fully tell

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, I do believe this is the entire original Broadway cast.

[@yummycoke3237]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 ah alright that's awesome then. other than the tony awards and obc recording i rarely have ever seen terrence mann as javert so it's def nice to see him among the others here!

[@mabithebard]

@@yummycoke3237there is a professional recording of this whole show in the new york public library but its listed as "restricted to qualified researchers" and im still trying to figure out the specifics of that and if there's a way i can get permission without professional qualifications to watch it next time i get the chance to go to nyc. there's a london library with a video of the original london production too and apparently that one is free for anyone to access so i will have to go to london for that one day too LOL

[@mabithebard]

@@yummycoke3237there are two bootlegs of him as javert in 2003 but you'd have to trade for them. im interested in trading for them myself hehe

[@alubin7301]

Sobbing.

[@cottcott123]

Do you happen to have "I Dreamed a Dream", "On My Own" or "Bring Him Home" from this? That would seriously make my life lol.

[@batekush8135]

Do you have any clips of les mis london 1985???

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

No, sorry to say.

[@batekush8135]

aurora spiderwoman aw too bad :(