Les Miserables in Manila #SmartInfinityLesMis

I've always wanted to watch this classic on a live stage. We didn't get to do that during our last trip to New York because the family voted to watch the newly staged Spiderman Broadway musical instead. So when I got an invitation from Smart Infinity to attend the gala night of Les Miserables in Manila, I was very excited and looked forward to another memorable evening courtesy of Smart.For those of you who are not yet familiar with “Les Miserables”, this popular Broadway production is actually based on a novel by Victor Hugo. The book was brought to life through music and lyrics composed by Claude-Michel Schoenberg and Alain Bublil, and produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Yes, the same brilliant team that may have awakened the Filipino’s love for musical theatre when they first cast our very own talents, starting with Lea Salonga, for their Miss Saigon production back in 1989.If I'm not mistaken, Les Miserables can be considered among Broadway’s biggest and longest running musicals, with several of its songs being widely recognised and performed in and out of theatre. Just last year, Les Miserables was brought life in Hollywood through a film where major stars like Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, further extending the reach of LesMis to a wider public. Even my own kids, especially Zach, appreciated the movie very much, so much so that the entire time I was watching Les Mis in Solaire, all I was thinking was how Zach MUST see this show!Among the recent musicals that have come to our shores, I would have to say I enjoyed this one the most. The cast is excellent! My favorites include Simon Gleeson playing Valjean, Earl Carpenter as Javert, and I also admired the performance of child actor Kieran McGinlay who played Gavroche. Without biases, our very own Rachelle Ann Go was an excellent Fantine!Here is a video of Rachelle Ann performing "I Dreamed A Dream" from @Kumagcow :Stage design and production were striking and fascinating with its ever-transforming sets, special lighting and effects adding more spectacle to the already moving soundtrack featuring LesMis' classics “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “On My Own,” and more.With my fellow Smart Infinity ambassadors, Rica, Victor, and Paul, and James Chi of Smart Infinity (extreme left)This time with Smart Infinity's head, Julie Carceller. Thank you Smart Infinity, especially to Abbie Real Dimaano!Even, the curtain call during the gala night was such a treat, with Cameron Mackintosh and Claude Michel-Schonberg making an appearance and expressing their gratitude for the love they have received from Filipinos all these years.  Watch here:At 1:12: "...the love story with your country, the Philippines, and for being so kind with our work for many, many years, I would just like to say 'Salamat Po'. Thank you, Philippines."Les Mis in Manila is a must-watch!Come one, come all! Come and...hear the people singsinging the song of angry menIt is the music of the peopleWho will not be slaves again!When the beating of your heartEchoes the beating of the drumsThere is a life about to startWhen tomorrow comes!Les Mis in Manila runs till April 24. Tickets available at www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, call 891-9999 or go to www.lesmis.com.ph.