I rarely watch movies more than once. There are a few, like Shawshank Redemption, Princess Bride, and The Matrix that I can’t help but rewatch if they are playing on TV, but there are also many, many shows that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, yet I’ve seen them only once. For the most part, I really don’t like reruns, and seldom choose to watch something more than once.

However, live performances are different, and I could watch them many more times. Last night I watched the play Les Miserables for the third time. It was fabulous. The story is great, but with live performances it’s not just about the story, it’s about the actors and how they play the roles; It’s about their voices, and the music, and the production.

The first time I saw it, the innkeeper and his wife stole the show. They were so funny. The second time I saw it Éponime brought me to tears with her death song, it was hauntingly beautiful. Last night it was Jean Valjean’s voice and performance that made the experience noteworthy.

With every live performance there is the opportunity for a performer to shine, or for the choreography or chemistry between characters to be better than the last time. Each performance can have a nuance to it that alters the experience for the audience, and give the show a unique distinction that makes it feel like a one-of-a-kind experience.

Last night I watched a show both for the third time and also the first. It’s a totally different experience than watching a movie a repeated number of times… and while I won’t race to see it again soon, I’d also choose to attend another live performance of it in a few years, while I’d probably not choose to watch a movie or tv rerun anytime soon. Live performances offer so much more variety to something I’ve already seen.