In which I concede defeat to Nick Jonas, and Japanese Eponines are better than the English ones...

For those of you who know me well-enough to hear my real-life exploits, I recently went to a Jonas Brothers concert. Well, it was more than a concert. It was a sound-check, a meet and greet, and a concert.

It was so much fun. And honestly, for all the negativity I had toward them prior to this concert, they aren't that bad. I believe a lot of the negativity toward them is more centered toward their alignment with Disney.

They can't change this, however. And honestly, I don't think they should. Because, as we've all seen, bad things happen to people who start with Disney, and then try to leave. The only exception of this rule, I think is Justin Timberlake. And Nick Jonas, who has a solid career on Broadway and another band. Or at least, I think it's another band. The Administration I think is also his, or he's a part of it because he has a twitter for news for The Administration. [/I am not a freaky stalker]

Okay. Now that I put that disclaimer, I now have to quote the first thing that popped into my head when I wrote that. "I AM NOT A FREAKY FISH GUY!"

Obscure reference out of the way. Back to Disney.

So. My theory that people who try to leave Disney are kinda sorta screwed. Exhibits A-C: Brittney Spears, Christina Agulera (or however the fuck you spell her last name), and Lindsey Lohan.

Exhibit A: Was a former Mousketer (is that how you spell that?). She leaves Disney, and becomes successful for the late part of the 90s/early part of the 00s. And then shit hits the fan. We're all familiar with Brittney's exploits over the past couple of years. Need I say more?

Exhibit B: Was also a former Mouseketer (again, cbf to spell). Now, Christina is actually not that bad in terms of what happened to her, and the only thing she's having trouble with is relaunching her career. She's tried several times, and I consider every time a smashing success because I love her and a lot of the songs she puts out. Candyman? Aint No Other Man? Hurt?

Love her. But my point is, she was with Disney, and now she can't keep her music career afloat.

Exhibit C: Lindsay Lohan. Need I really say more? She went from this, a bright, innocent girl whose claim to fame was Parent Trap, a Disney movie and she was much beloved. From there, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (is that what that movie's called or am I mixing it up with Confessions of a Shopaholic?), and Herbie: Fully Loaded. Both which were Disney movies. And yes, she did other movies, but when I think Lindsay Lohan, those are the first three I think of.

But then she turned into this. Again, Lindsay is another one whose exploits are well-known by pop culture loving America. After she tried to leave Disney.

People are starting to say that Miley Cyrus will head down this course. Miley's strings with Disney are loose at best. We will just have to see what she looks like in five years. Although...after seeing the 'Can't Be Tamed' music video, I'm worried.

Do with these facts what you will. Jonas Brothers, STAY THE COURSE!

Now, I'm gonna go to the first part of my title for this blog post. That's right, Nick Jonas. I concede defeat. You are, in my eyes, an acceptable Marius. Actually, you're beyond acceptable.

Wait. I have to correct a mistake I made in one of my earlier blog posts. I said that the 25th Anniversary Concert CD would be made available for purchase. I mistook it for the 25th Anniversary World Tour. As far as I know (read: according to Wikipedia) there are no plans to make a 25th Anniversary Concert CD at the moment. Sorry about that.

Back to Nick Jonas. Why am I conceding defeat to Nick Jonas? Well...I have two reasons actually. The first is this. Are you done listening? Did you really expect that from Nick Jonas? I certainly didn't! As far as Marius goes, I think he's got the role down pat. He's no David Bryant, but that's because I'm biased.

So, Nick Jonas? I apologize for assuming your casting was just a publicity thing. I didn't realize you were actually talented.

The second reason is because of something I saw when I met him in person at the meet and greet. I asked him what it was like to be in Les Miserables. And he smiled at me (it was an open mouthed smile!), and a light went on his eyes. I would just like to say that this is impressive because Nick Jonas never smiles. Somebody told me it was because he hates the way his teeth look. I feel kinda bad for the poor kid.

Anyway, I saw how much Les Miserables meant to him. It was...that look in his eyes, that pride, and that sense of accomplishment that Les Miserables was something he did without his brothers, without Disney, just him. I also think part of the reason he smiled was that I didn't ask him to marry me.

SPEAKING OF JOBROS OBSESSION. When we were at the meet and greet, the dancers from Camp Rock 2 were there, and I saw Allyson Stoner and she did the 'Mike's Super Short Show' thing and it was awesome. Also, there was this girl who was asking Frankie Jonas a question and she was actually hyperventilating and couldn't spit the words out. And Frankie just stood their with this "WTF?" look plastered all over his face. I wish I had a picture.

I do have an awesome picture of Kevin, though. It was a proud, picture-taking moment for me. Wanna see?



I have all sorts of really creepy, up close pictures of them from the sound check. I wish I had been that close during the concert, although I had a feeling I would've gone deaf. The screaming was just completely unreal.

Okay. Now to the second part of my post, which is relatively short in comparison. Now, I bet you're thinking to yourselves, "Now, why are Japanese Eponines better than the English ones"? I'll tell you.

Okay, I actually don't know. But, on Tuesday, I bought the Complete Symphonic Recording of Les Miserables, which was done in 1988, and complies some great actors and come I couldn't care less for (I'm look at you, Gary Morris and Michael Ball!), all from international productions of Les Mis that were playing at the time.

The Eponine in this particular version is some chick by the name of Kaho Shimada, who was in the Tokyo Production at some point. I don't think I'm supposed to know who that is. Now, apparently, she learned English just so she could do this recording. It doesn't show. Okay, it kinda shows, but I think she's significantly better than Frances Ruffelle from the Original Broadway Cast.

Decide for yourself.

However, my personal favorite is Lea Salonga, who was Eponine (if you do decide to watch the link, BRACE YOURSELF for the loud introduction of the barricade) in the 1995 Dream Cast Concert. You probably know her better as Mulan's singing voice. She's my favorite.

Oh yeah. As a Glee fan, I probably should count Lea Michele's rendition in there somewhere. First, I have to find a version of her that's not from Glee just because the interspersed dialogue ruins the song in my eyes.

Y'know, God Bless crazy obsessed fans that post videos on YouTube. Lea Michele is a talented actress. Just...not a talented TV actress. I can't really figure out how that makes sense, since I think stage acting is so much harder (like I'd have any experience otherwise?)...but whatever. The Emmys are on tomorrow-wait. It's Sunday. OMG THEY'RE ON TONIGHT.

Right, so Lea Michele. Umm, she's good. Like, she's really talented. See? See how talented she is? I was just about to make another reference to Yu-Gi-Oh: The Abridged Series, but where I was going...it just sounded really creepy.

Well, that's pretty much all I have to say except...VIVA LA TEAM COCO!

Have fun watching the Emmys tonight, kids! PEACE.

PS> Mia Michaels did the Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. Elizabeth Mitchell did not win. Rage will ensue tomorrow/later tonight.