It Takes A Village To Bring 'Les Misérables' To The Manchester High School Stage
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
NORTH MANCHESTER - "Les Misérables" is French for "the wretched."
It's also Manchester High School's spring musical.
"It truly takes a village to bring a show of this magnitude to life," said show producer and director Marilyn Sexton Mason. "I am so grateful for the many volunteers who work so tirelessly on behalf of our students."Four public performances of the school edition of the drama will be held March 23-25. Opening night begins at 7 p.m. March 23 with tickets for a free-will donation. Performances Saturday are at 2 and 7 p.m. The final performance is at 2 p.m. March 25. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday nights are $7 for adults and $5 for students kindergarten through college. Tickets for the 2 p.m. Sunday show also are for a free-will donation.
All performances will be in the MHS Performing Arts Center. The show is considered to be rated PG-13 as some themes may not be suitable for young children.
"Les Misérables" has been specially adapted to meet the needs of young performers. This musical recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th-century France.
Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean (Andrew Chinworth) is released from his 19-year term, and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father. He violates his parole in the process.
The relentless Inspector Javert pursues Valjean, making a decent life for him impossible.
The cast includes leads Chinworth, Kyle Coffey, Jaina Alexander, Will Myers, Alana DeWitt, Maya Hippensteel, Josh Garber, Caroline Andersen, Rex Tharp and Martin Andersen.
Featured soloists are Katy Stuart, Brooke Pratt, Dale Ruppert, Chris Brown, D.J. Brown, Morgan Ozenbaugh, Sara Gable, Jessica Petrie, Shanice Logan, Kristen Lahman, Cindi Myers, Leah Grant, Sadie Preston, Joey Rich, Brandon Gray, Vincent Vance, Katherine Tate, Jessamy Rogers.
Company members are Carrie McLain, Marina Meinert, Heather Black, Jada Nichols, Reilly Kirkpatrick, Fran Herrera, Jessie Weirick, Emma Naragon, Mackenzie Coulter-Kern, Jessica Hunt, Bre Howard, Sarah Rich, Chandra Butler, Kaity Clark, Heather Hathaway, Brittany Wagoner, Chelsea Butler.
Orchestral leadership is provided by Deb DeWitt and Terry McKee. Additional assistance is provided by scenic construction designers Denny Unger and David Hippensteel, costume design and coordination by Susie Sharfman, and technical crew advisors Suzan Skaar and Mark McKee.
