Anne Hathaway's Dreams Are Killed in Les Misérables Trailer

It's here! A teaser trailer has finally been released for Tom Hooper's epic film adaptation of the Tony-award winning musical Les Misérables. In this one minute, thirty-seven second clip, we are introduced to the haunting melody of "I Dreamed a Dream" as performed by Anne Hathaway, who plays Fatine. The song acts as the backdrop to images of her co-stars Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), and Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) upon whose shoulders this entire film seems to rest. Crowe and Jackman are absolutely no strangers to period drama and honestly they seem at home in period costumes, especially from the 19th century. I have yet to hear Crowe sing, though he is a performer in his own right and has been recording music since the 1980s. Hugh Jackman definitely has the vocal range to pull off the role of Jean Valjean and is well acquainted with the Great White Way, having won a Tony Award for The Boy From Oz.

Zooey Deschanel to Become the Coal Miner's Daughter on Broadway

Whether people like it or not, country music is a part of our nation's history and the state of Kentucky has produced many amazing country, folk, and bluegrass artists. The Country Music Highway is a stretch of US Route 23 which extends from Greenup County in North Eastern Kentucky south to Pike County and terminates at the Virginia line. The concentration of talent in this area includes Patty Loveless, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, and of course Loretta Lynn. Lynn grew up near Van Lear in Johnson County, Kentucky (not far from where my people are from, actually) and you can hear all about growing up in a small mining town in her song "Coal Miner's Daughter". On Thursday, May 10, Loretta Lynn concluded her performance at the Ryman Audtorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry, with an announcement that "Coal Miner's Daughter" is going to become a Broadway musical. Taking up the starring role will be Zooey Deschanel.

Hugh Jackman to lead Les Miserables cast

In my first Broadway Geek post, I talked about my love for Les Miserables. Due to scheduling conflicts, shooting on Wolverine 2 may be pushed to Spring of 2012, which could allow Les Mis, starring Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, to begin production in February. I. am. stoked. Jackman has a fantastic voice. He won a Tony for The Boy From Oz and has hosted the ceremony several times. He also was Executive Producer of Viva Laughlin, a musical series which appeared briefly on CBS, in which he had a small role and did a number or two. Not only can he sing, but he can dance as well! I would  absolutely love to see him in a movie adaptation of one of my favorite musicals.

John Barrowman makes me happy inside

Okay, I will admit that I'm really behind on Doctor Who watching. That doesn't stop me from absolutely adoring John Barrowman, and becoming a tad obsessed after I saw him in the Cole Porter musical biopic De-Lovely. His charm, his style, his voice... what not to love? In "The Doctor and I" he takes a number from the Broadway musical Wicked and adds his own Jack Harness twist. It's totally swoon-worthy!

Broadway Geek

Most wouldn't necessarily associate Broadway musicals with geekdom. However, a new definition of geek is emerging.

Any person who has a deep, borderline obsessive, passion for something.

One passion, for me, is theater. I've always loved Broadway and have spent many a day listening to my Broadway Pandora station and various cast recordings. I was in choir in high school and college and loved getting to perform my favorite selections. A few years ago, for a Broadway showcase, I performed "There's a Fine, Fine Line" from Avenue Q. 

This year, is the 25th anniversary of the Tony Award winning Les Miserables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It is the longest running musical in the world and one of my all-time favorites. On the cusp of the French Revolution, the musical follows the stories of Jean Valjean, Fantine and Cosette among others. The story is amazing and all of the songs are so powerful. I've not been able to see a performance of Les Mis yet, but because of the 25th anniversary, there will be a touring production so I'm hoping to catch it soon.

Enjoy, Lego Les Miserables!