The Dallas Theater Center's version of Les Miserables has turned quite a few heads for its contemporary take on the classic tale of the French Revolution. Director Liesl Tommy's politically charged update has earned comparisons to Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring. The musical when placed in a modern context signals the story's timelessness, as well as the repetitive nature of history. And this courageous interpretation has earned DTC mountains of press throughout the globe, placing it in front of the eyes of many an interested theater-goer. Including, it turns out, a 16-year-old girl named Anna in Alaska.
See also: Dallas Theater Center Puts a New Spin on Les Mis, This Time Without All That Spinning
Earlier this week, a letter arrived in the DTC mailbox from Anna addressed to "The creators, producers, actors and actresses involved." After weeks of reading about the show on the Internet, she was compelled to write a letter expressing her adoration for this production she'd probably never get a chance to see and requesting a video recording be made of the show. And in a move deserving an Upworthy headline, the Board of DTC partnered with The Fairmont Dallas to fly Anna in for the show's final weekend. It was a generous gesture, because we're guessing a last minute plane ticket from Alaska in August isn't cheap.
Perhaps, we're just touched by the idea that this is how much DTC believes in the production. But we think this is just about the most downright wonderful thing that's ever happened in the Dallas Arts District. So kudos, DTC.
Oh, and on a personal note, color me impressed, Anna. I think when I was 16-years-old, my only deepest thought about Les Mis was a navel-gazing belief that I was just like poor, brokenhearted Eponine.
Les Miserables' final performance at the Dallas Theater Center is Sunday, August 17. A few tickets are still available at dallastheatercenter.org.
