As part of an extended celebration of our 20th anniversary, Mary Anne and I went to see Les Misérables at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia.
The Walnut Street Theater is the oldest (199 years) continually operating theater in the English speaking world.
What we saw was the musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel Les Misérables. A novel about an ex-con who through the act of kindness, grace and redemption sees to live out his live as a force of good.
What struck my about the musical versus the movie was how strong the redemptive themes and religious overtones where. The references to prayer, redemption, grace and salvation are sprinkled throughout the play. In the movie there are several references but not to the degree as the musical.
One of the elements of the novel/play/book that should serve as a wonderful reminder for Christians is the impact an act of forgiveness. One act of forgiveness leads to a life of service. Shouldn’t that be our story?
If you every have the opportunity to see the play, take it. The musical has various adaptations and in some of them does have some colorful characters.