One Song More

A couple days ago, I posted here a video of the grand, extravagant,surprise finale of Les Miserables on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, complete with 17 Jean Valjeans from around the world, indoor fireworks, and a massive balloon drop.

This is the far other end of the spectrum.

But it still has its own sense of showmanship, even if on a small level just the same.  This is covered by just a shaky, hand-held camera, but that's some of the fun, how low-key this all is.

The event is a gala fundraiser for the Huntington Theatre in Boston two years ago.  On stage -- I suspect he's the evening's host -- is Zach Braff, star of the TV series, Scrubs, who wrote and directed (and starred in) the wonderful film, Garden State.  I'm a big fan of his work, and that doesn't even take into consideration that he went to Northwestern University.

It turns out that he loves musical theater and one of his dreams has been to play 'Marius' in Les Miserables, and the event gave him a chance.  He's not only passable, he actually does quite a nice job.

The song he chooses to sing is "A Little Fall of Rain," which is a duet that 'Marius' does with 'Eponine.'  And so it obviously requires a partner.  Braff wanders through the room and asks the people at the benefit if there's anyone there who's done any singing.  He has a lyric sheet, in case that's needed -- though knowing Braff''s humor, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd just as soon perform a duet by himself, if need be.  No one really is anxious to join in, not shockingly, but eventually a young woman is game and coaxed to help.  He decks her out in a beret and floppy coat, and the fun starts.  She's adorable and actually not half bad at all, and Braff is a gracious second-banana in the performance.  And it even ends with a very mini-flash mob of the theatre staff and friends getting up from their tables for the Big Finish of "One Day More.