Thursday, November 7, 2024

Susan Boyle: Les Miz Writer OK That She Took Out a Verse of His Song

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One person missing from the festivities at Sunday’s 25th anniversary performances of “Les Miserables” in London: Susan Boyle.

The singer, who was launched on the show “Britain’s Got Talent,” is nevertheless incredibly popular with the people who made “Les Miserables.” Her recording of “I Dreamed a Dream,” they say, has revived the show with a new generation.

Show and song lyricist Herbert Kretzmer told me last night at the after party at Indigo: “I love her. I wish there were a hundred more like her!” Kretzmer is awaiting his first royalty statement since Boyle made “I Dreamed a Dream” an international hit last year. He told me that the song only worked because of Boyle’s personal life story, and how she became identified with dreaming the dream.

One thing Boyle fans may or may not know: she eliminated a verse from the song for her record. Kretzmer said: “The verse that goes, He slept a summer by my side’ didn’t seem appropriate for a woman of her, uh, age,” he noted.

Boyle is equally loved by show producer Cameron Mackintosh and composer Alain Boublil. “She completely revived interest in the show,” Mackintosh observed.

Boyle’s fine; but for my money, Lea Salonga’s version of the song, which she sang in the blockbuster show last night at the O2, is far superior, richer, and sung with texture and grace. Check it out on the DVD and see what I mean.

And note to Lou Reed: see how happy they all are? Once the money comes rolling in from Boyle’s cover of your “Perfect Day,” you’ll be a new man. Kretzmer, apparently, has “several” homes. Dream that dream!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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