“Les Miserables” school edition as performed by The Performer’s School

 Highly Recommended ***** Amazing work! I  know that many of you also listen to my radio show on Sundays at 2 p.m. on WCPT820, so you are aware of my interview with the ladies who operate the Performer’s School in Highwood, Stacey Flaster and Liz Faunteroy. Due to the pandemic, they had to find another way to show the world the talent they have attending their program, and so they chose to video and stream their two productions, “Beaty and The Beast” and “Les Miserables”. Since my granddaughter, Sarah is in the “Les Miz” cast, I viewed that one.

First of all, I must tell you that the process was unique. Each cast member was taped doing their role, ALONE! Yes, that is correct, the cast never was together. After all, how can you be 6′ apart and do a scene. For the most part, the video portions were masterful. I think there were two or three places where a close watcher might notice an error, but for the most part, the video was amazing.

I know from a personal day, when we were staying with Sarah, and I drove her to a taping, that they were doing their role alone, and yet, for the most part, on the edited version, it appeared that each and every one of these cast members was on a stage, performing.  They were not

Because of the video  work, they appear t be in many places and the sets are not really there either. It is great video work. Directed by Flaster and msical direction by Fauntleroy is great. Evidently, the actors were told where to look, in spite of no other person there to look at. For the most part of this  over two hour production ( with a ten minute intermission) one would swear that this was filmed while happening- again, it was not. It was however edited, skillfully by  Peter Marston Sullivan ( of Marston McCoy Media) who managed to do both shows. They were filmed at Marriott Theatre’s Costume shop in Lincolnshire. Sullivan had been experimenting with this type of tech and the Pandemic gave him the opportunity to show te world that it can work.

HONESTY_ I found out after the show ended that they did have a snafu- Having a family member in the cast makes a difference. I know that any outsider who witnessed this production would have to call it powerful and amazing, considering these kids are sixth thru eighth graders! Again, AMAZING! snafu:  the show was double cast and it appears that the sound(voices) were from the wrong cast on the Friday night performance. Noa Levin, a good friend of Sara’s, who is a terrific actress and singer, plays Gavroche, and while we see her, the sound track was not hers. There may have been a few other tech problems, but all in all, this was a wonderful way to allow these hard working, very talented kids the opportunity to do their thing during a “lock Down” for the theater community.

Pay attention to these names: Matthew Angelaccio ( Jean Valjean) was terrific, Justin Katin (Javert) astoundingly talented, Asher Alcantara ( Marius), Danielle Yahknis ( Fantine) wonderful, Sasha Winters ( Cosette) and Ali Gregorio (Eponine) round out the majors. I do want to say that my granddaughter, Sarah Shaw played the younger Fantine and several ensemble roles and as always is sheer perfection. Young Cosette i splayed by Emma Noll who has a lovely voice.

The ensemble that has been assembled fr this difficult musical is powerful proving the point that there are no small parts. Each role is pivotal to the creation of the whole and Flaster and Fauntleroy have done it!

The backdrops designed by Jeffrey D. Kmiec are unbelievable. The barricade seemed real. The beauty of the interweaving of the photos and performers, allowing us to see a crowded stage was unique and shows how a creative mind can make something out of nothing. Eben a pandemic could not stand in the way of the old phrase, “The Show Must Go On”

I must tell you that the comic roles of the Master of the House, Thenardiier ( Declan Boyle) and Mme. Thenardier ( Jenna Horwitch) are handled to perfection by these youngsters. I can’t wait to see what happens to many of these youngsters as they mature into even better actors. They are a cast that kept me into the school version of this epic musical.

You can still watch the show as it will also be on your computer ( or how you stream) as follows:

May 22nd and 23rd

and then again on the 28th, 29th and 30th.

Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.

Sundays at 2 p.m. ( during my show)

Tickets range from $30 and can be ordered at www.performersschool.com

“Beauty and The Beast Jr” ( a shorter version)- May 28th, 29th and 30th  June 4th,5th and 6th

same website