WHS Stages "Les Miserables"

The Wilton High School Theatre Department will present Les Miserables May 16-19, at the Clune Auditorium. The show, based on the French historical novel by Victor Hugo, is an entirely-sung pop-opera set in 19th-century France, that tells the story of the decades-spanning rivalry between Jean Valjean and his nemesis Javert and culminates during the student uprising in Paris of 1832.

The undertaking is something the show's director, Sharon Anderson, knows is substantial and challenging for her young cast and crew.

"I can't believe we're really doing it. But the other thing I can't believe is how much 'Les Mis' it is," she said. "It's not watered down because it's the student version. It doesn't feel like we're cutting corners or missing anything. It's actually enhanced because so many of the characters are young—except Jean Valjean and Javert—once we get to the student revolutionaries, they are the age of the kids we're working with. Eponine and Cosette are the age of the kids we're working with. So it has a real honesty, and there's something the kids connect to. It's a gift, and there's something really magical about it." 

"The kids all know how special it is. To do something like this at their age, they all know how special it is and we're all grateful for the opportunity."

Approximately 100 WHS students are taking part, either as cast, orchestra performers or off-stage participants. Because it's so epic and large a production, Anderson said it has required enormous commitment and collaboration for all the students, staff and teachers involved.

"It's been more work than any of us imagined. It's a huge show in every scope—it's entirely sung, so the kids have spent more time in music rehearsals than any other musical we've done. The sets, the lights, the costumes are more challenging. Every kid in the cast has four costume changes. Every little detail has to be staged and planned." 

She added, "We reheased three hours a night, four days a week. Their first week of rehearsals was in February."

Les Miserables was also a widely-released, award-winning movie this past year. "We were excited about that coincidence, but it really was a coincidence. Choosing the show was based on the fact that we believed we had 60 kids who could do it. In years past we had kids who could perform the leads, but not enough that we could cast the huge number of other solos all through the show. This year, the kids we have could really handle something that would require real discipline.

Showtimes are Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 18 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at the Clune Center Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults, and can be reserved by calling (203) 834-4844 or emailing whstix@wilton.k12.ct.us.