🎨💕

I had been preparing for the college entrance exam since July 2024. Since I had studied Studying for that tedious exam for a whole year drove me insane. I had lost all my confidence and courage before June last year. I questioned everything, including the meaning of life. Even though I tried to watch some movies, read some books, and remind myself that I would go to Les Mis in June to motivate myself, the happiness from those activities faded away quickly. Those reminders seemed useless in front of such a gloomy and lonely life. Despair and anxiety affected me to the extent that I almost cried every day. All I prayed for was to skip to July, when the exam would be held.

The most difficult time was last May. The desire to watch Les Mis in person was no longer a solid reason to stay alive. The only thing I wanted was relief. I lived like a ghost every day. It felt like I was just “functioning,” not “alive.” Nausea and exhaustion seized me every day. Sometimes I had less than one meal a day because of those unpleasant problems.

But as the opening of the Les Mis World Tour drew near, I still managed to do some research on the cast. It was around that time that I got to know about Bradley and became hooked on his extraordinary performance. I was also moved by the interview with Ramin in The Hang. So I wrote him a small card and wanted to give it to him directly at the stage door.

Then the day of the performance came, still feeling unwell so I started to hope I wouldn’t throw up in the magnificent venue…

(tbh that was the first time I went to the National Theater, and it is such a splendid venue!!! It’s exactly how I imagine a theater should be. I love the comfortable red seats and the air conditioning)

There is no need to explain how incredible the performance was…. As the first chords from the orchestra hit me, all the unpleasant feelings seemed to be blown away with them.

Although I didn’t cry much because I still needed more time to regain my feelings and recover from all of this, I enjoyed every moment of it.

Especially Bradley’s Javert… his Stars and Javert’s suicide really resonated with me… The back of him walking back toward the exit with the orchestra after “No way to go on”… it was just so heartbreaking and breathtaking. It convinced me even more that I had to give him the card.

After the second attempt I finally managed to give him that little card. I was so scared and so shy that I only said “I really love your Javert” and “Thank you”…. But I still got an autograph and a picture… this experience gave me so much strength and courage. I slept and ate well after that day…and tried to know more about Bradley. I searched for and watched some interviews and recordings.

Ultimately, I came across the funny Thank You Baked Potato song and the inspiring Who I’d Be. Those songs accompanied me through the last days before the exam.

I began to believe that there really is “a big bright beautiful world just for me”

Finally… the judgement day came. If someone asks about the results? It was satisfying! I got into the college I wanted and majored in what I am interested in.

In the second half of last year, I felt like the luckiest person on earth. I went to see many amazing musicals, did things I love, and made more friends online. The Reunion even came to Taiwan and I got to meet Ramin and receive his autograph.

There were still new challenges indeed, but I gradually learned how to deal with them with balance.

I have been thinking about if it is not Les mis, not Bradley Jaden, I would never reach this day. I couldn’t picture all of these fortunate moments and treasure experiences at that desperate time.

(ok after so many words we are finally heading to the topic hahaha)

Time moves to this January, when I first heard that Bradley was going to hold his concert at the National Concert Hall… I almost threw my lunch up. I had always imagined he might come back someday—but not that soon!!!!!

The opportunity to see him again excited me so much. I had long wanted to express my gratitude to him since last September

I began to prepare cards and letters. Needless to say, I drew his Javert!

The concert was in the evening, but I went to the stage door in the afternoon to see whether I might meet Bradley. Then I met Ben Forster (he was the guest of the concert) and got his signature on my ticket 🤣 and then I went to my seat and waited for the performance to begin.

(I know this post isn’t about him but Ben is so kind to fans!!!!! And I became a fan too after he sang the extraordinary Gethsemane. It was so different from the 2012 Jesus Christ Superstar… It’s really a pity for those who didn’t hear it in person.)

I knew the first song would be Who I’d Be so I’ve been worried that I would burst into tears when I heard the first chord. Unsurprisingly, I sobbed so hard that I had to adjust the distance of my telescope (I always use one when I am too far away from the stage) because I was afraid I might damage it with my tears.

The confident and energetic voice of Bradley reminded me of the days when this song encouraged me.

The entire night was divided into two parts: Bradley explaining why he chose those songs and the actual performance. Unfortunately, my memory is quite poor, so I can’t recall the details. 🤣 Bradley was so genuine, lovely, and humorous while talking. I can’t express how upset I was when I realized I couldn’t remember anything well enough to write down in this reflection.

Anyway, he shared his journey in summary. Bradley used this concert to tell his own story—from his past to his future. (I’ve probably over-translated a bit hahahaha but Bradley said he would sing some songs from shows he hopes to be part of.)

I have always been fascinated by other people’s life stories, so it was meaningful to know more about Bradley.

(Some participants complained that the talking part was too long, which annoyed me, because it is HIS concert. Everything relates to HIS experience and he needs to explain it…)

He sang most of the songs in his album but For good, luck to be a lady, smile, and I can’t make you love me weren’t in the album.

The entire night he kept saying “謝謝”, which means “thank you” in Mandarin. The cuteness completely overwhelmed me…

Bradley’s On the street where you live really captured my heart…I could imagine him strolling down the streets.

I’m so fortunate to have heard Bradley and Ben’s For Good…Still can’t believe I hear Bradley sang

“I’ve heard it said

That people come into our lives

For a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true

But I know I’m who I am today

Because I knew you”

Although it hurt a little when Ben sang “that we will never meet again”. Noooooo please come back. (I’m kidding)

He also showed a playful side in Luck to be lady and Sway, which I had always been looking forward to hearing, and they were excellent as always.

I forgot exactly when, but he mentioned that his mother is his biggest fan; others can’t be him and he can’t be them; how hard he tried to get into Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends; he should hold a 3-hour concert next time; (after intermission) that it was good to see everyone come back instead of leaving.

I was surprised to discover that among the people he admires is an actor I have been obsessed with. YES! He mentioned Jeremy Secomb’s name…. (Ah…also Ramin🤣but everyone knows I’ve obsessed with Mr. Secomb recently)

After the last song Being alive, Bradley also sang the famous Stars as an encore. I clapped and cheered as long and as loud as possible… because I wanted him to receive all the credit he deserves. I believe others think the same way since that applause was the longest and loudest I’ve ever heard.

Too bad I was too anxious that a standing ovation might annoy someone recording behind me, so I missed the golden opportunity 🤣

After the curtain call, I rushed to the stage door as well. But I had already given the letter to the service desk during intermission. I was so touched by Bradley’s performance that I decided not to take risks to give him in person…(I was too afraid that he might not appear at stage door. I have regretted this decision because latter I met him and I can’t confirm that he received it🤣 the staff seemed to be busy so the letter might not delivered.)

After waiting a few minutes with the crowd, Bradley appeared and began signing things and listening attentively to everyone’s words.

I waited patiently for my turn. Since I was too nervous… I could only squeeze out a few words to explain that my letter had been left at the service desk. And I wanted autographs on both cards and programme.

Even though I was stammering and talking nonsense, Bradley still listened to me very attentively.(I was also feeling bad for him to work overtime without money)

When I showed the card I drew… he exclaimed in admiration. To be honest I didn’t hear it at that moment because my mind was in a mess, explaining I had put a copy in my green envelope …I only found out it when watching the video which my friends recorded….Received Bradley’s admiration is such an accomplishment to me…. so I was filled with gratitude.

Honestly, I could sense that Bradley was tired that evening. His voice had some small imperfections, and there were a few minor mistakes in singing, for example when he accidentally sang during the interlude of Sway. But The flaws did not detract from the overall performance. It was a wonderful night still!

I’m deeply moved by his passion and persistence in bringing this concert to Taipei.

He even headed to another job the next day after the concert ended. I wondered if he even slept for eight hours… He needs to rest 😭

——

At the very end of this post, I want to thank everything again… March 1st will be a significant day engraved in my memory forever.

Looking forward to seeing Bradley’s extraordinary performance again!