‘Les Miserables’

Brings Down The House

By Larissa Lytwyn

According to director Sabrina Post, Newtown High School’s spring musical, Les Miserables, was possibly the school’s largest and most complex ensemble production yet.

The nearly 100-member cast enjoyed sold-out shows during its performances April 1–4. Audiences stood to applaud during the intermission of the show’s final performance on April 4; the final curtain drew a thunderous standing ovation.

The high school edition, adopted and licensed by Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh, was drawn from the Broadway musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg.

The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel, a tale spanning the French Revolution.

The story opens with Jean Valjean (Tyler von Oy), released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s family. Though taken in by the kindly Bishop of Digne (Mike Reid), the bitter Valjean attempts to steal silver from his table. He is flabbergasted when the Bishop appeals for his release, even giving him two priceless candlesticks that can be pawned for enough money to allow Valjean to start his life anew.

Eight years pass, during which Valjean has risen to become a factory worker and mayor. One of his workers, Fantine (Elyssa Samsel) is revealed to have a secret illegitimate child, young Cosette (Bianca Crudo and Sheena Finlayson). The dying Fantine appeals to Valjean to save her child from the dastardly innkeepers, Thernardier (Kyle Lyddy) and Madame Thernardier (Leslie Greenfield).

Both Kyle and Leslie played their comic-relief roles with chutzpah.

Valjean becomes Cosette’s loving guardian and father figure.

Several more years pass; Cosette (Amanda Eventoff) has grown into a young woman at the dawn of the French Revolution.

She falls in love with a student revolutionary, Marius (Matt Grills); the two are clearly soul mates.

Eponine (Melanie Beck), however, the scarcely acknowledged daughter of Thernardier and Madame Thernardier, is a fellow revolutionary secretly in love with Marius.

One parent admitted “having tears in her eyes” when Eponine, tortured by her unrequited love, ironically dies in Marius’ arms after being shot.

Though the insurrection is unsuccessful, Marius is eventually reunited with and weds his true love, Cosette.

The elaborate set, featuring specialized sound effects and even a fog machine, was entirely built by students, including technical director Dan Amodeo, technical manager Sarah Mastro, assistant technical manager Sarah Copeland, construction head Bill Manville, painting head Alicia Tolson, lighting head Brian Tenney, sound head Farley Miller, and props mistress Molly Vogel.

The crew was guided by Drama Club advisor Tom Swetts, as well as stage managers Chris Timmel and Katie Fuller and assistant stage manager Melissa Russell.

The entire crew featured well over two-dozen students.

The pit orchestra, conducted by Patrick Taylor, was also comprised of students.

During one rehearsal, actor Ivan Rutherford of Fairfield, who has appeared in various Broadway productions including Les Miserables, visited to lend his expertise. He helped cast members with their lines and songs.

Students also gave a special seniors-only performance on April 2.

The production also received the support of numerous parent volunteers and local businesses.