Take A Bow!

To the Editor:

My wife and I have lived in Newtown since the early 60s, and both our sons attended Newtown schools.

On Sunday, April 4, we attended the Newtown High School production of Les Miserables. I was totally unprepared for the level of talent, maturity, and professionalism displayed by the cast. The voices of the leading characters were something I would have expected from a professional touring road company, not high school students.

Tyler von Oy was outstanding as Jean Valjean. His voice is marvelous and he tore at our hearts with his performance. Elyssa Samsel and Melanie Beck and Amanda Eventoff have the voices of angels. Matt Grills as Marious was terrific, with a voice that filled the auditorium. All of the singers were so professional, so polished, and the acting so well done and convincing that I could not believe I as at Newtown High. Paul Ashey shone in multiple roles, and Leslie Greenfield and Kyle Lyddy were excellent as the Thenardiers. The music was superbly performed.

The whole cast was magnificent, and I congratulate each and every performer, for an excellent performance. You can all be very proud of what you have done for us here in Newtown. You have all exhibited a standard of professionalism which will be hard to beat, anywhere. Sabrina Post can be very proud of her students. All who took part from leads to supporting cast to set designers and helpers can take a big bow!

Gerald Mullen

Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                             April 5, 2004