I am writing something right now that is completely selfish...in a good way. My son Landon has his final performance tonight in the lead role of Javert in the musical version of Victor Hugo's classic, Les Miserables. I believe what I am about to say is neither biased or opinionated: Les Mis is the best musical of all time.
Some musicals are funnier, some are more serious, some are more modern, some are more classical--many muscial's can top it in one category but add it all up and Les Mis is just better. The story is so full of grace and redemption that any Christ-follower ought to fall in love with it immediately. The music is so challenging and powerful that any lover of music has to admire it. But there is something intangible about the musical...something almost anointed that just gives me chills when I hear a certain line or tune from it.
My hat's off to the students and teachers at Buford who tackled Les Mis. But I am especially proud of my son, Landon. He kept auditioning for leads throughout his high school career only to see them go to others, sometimes even to underclassmen. He dutifully filled a role in the background of each of those performances. But finally, in the last musical of his senior year, he got his opportunity and he made the most of it by getting a lead role as 'Javert.' People have been extremely complimentary to me about his performances thus far. I am proud of how he has handled it all and I have loved his interpretation.
As 'Javert' he has the pressure of singing difficult music using a background track where mistakes are obvious and unfixable. In addition he must focus on acting while he focuses on singing. The sound is not always perfect and it would be easy to miss notes or cues. Except for a few minor moments of humanity he has been outstanding. He has brought me to tears several times.
And as I think about him graduating from high school I am very sad that he will not be around in a few months. Please forgive me while, as a real man, I cry a little bit. I just thank God for Landon and in moments like these I have to remember that many years ago I gave him to God. He is embarking on that part of his journey where he is becoming more God's boy than mine. And while that is a very good trade for him it still saddens me to see him entering this phase in his life. But I am pleased to let him go because I believe he is following God, which is exactly what I raised him to do. Landon has not lived up to my expectations...he has lived way above them.
I just wanted to let him know by telling all of you how proud I am of him and how grateful I am to God for giving me a son like Landon...and Logan!
Some musicals are funnier, some are more serious, some are more modern, some are more classical--many muscial's can top it in one category but add it all up and Les Mis is just better. The story is so full of grace and redemption that any Christ-follower ought to fall in love with it immediately. The music is so challenging and powerful that any lover of music has to admire it. But there is something intangible about the musical...something almost anointed that just gives me chills when I hear a certain line or tune from it.
My hat's off to the students and teachers at Buford who tackled Les Mis. But I am especially proud of my son, Landon. He kept auditioning for leads throughout his high school career only to see them go to others, sometimes even to underclassmen. He dutifully filled a role in the background of each of those performances. But finally, in the last musical of his senior year, he got his opportunity and he made the most of it by getting a lead role as 'Javert.' People have been extremely complimentary to me about his performances thus far. I am proud of how he has handled it all and I have loved his interpretation.
As 'Javert' he has the pressure of singing difficult music using a background track where mistakes are obvious and unfixable. In addition he must focus on acting while he focuses on singing. The sound is not always perfect and it would be easy to miss notes or cues. Except for a few minor moments of humanity he has been outstanding. He has brought me to tears several times.
And as I think about him graduating from high school I am very sad that he will not be around in a few months. Please forgive me while, as a real man, I cry a little bit. I just thank God for Landon and in moments like these I have to remember that many years ago I gave him to God. He is embarking on that part of his journey where he is becoming more God's boy than mine. And while that is a very good trade for him it still saddens me to see him entering this phase in his life. But I am pleased to let him go because I believe he is following God, which is exactly what I raised him to do. Landon has not lived up to my expectations...he has lived way above them.
I just wanted to let him know by telling all of you how proud I am of him and how grateful I am to God for giving me a son like Landon...and Logan!
1 comment:
Hey Uncle R.D!! I'm writing this at work. SHHHH! :D haha, anyway I am so sad that I didn't get to see Landon perform. I heard he did so good! Les Mis is my favorite musical (other than West Side Story). Landon left his Les Mis CDs in my car, and I selfishly kept them so I could listen to them myself. haha. anyway, I love you! I can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks!
-maddie
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