“Les Miserables”

This production has been hit hard with Covid causing many understudies to take on other than their roles. Several crew members have also been infected and are quarantined, and in spite of all the problems, the show runs quite smoothly. It was announced that this would be a “masked” performance, but there were times that the actors opted to remove the mask so the audience would get the full sound of their voice and a better understanding of the words. The musical Director/Conductor, Aaron Kaplan and the JAM Orchestra filled the 700 seat theater with the beautiful music of this piece. The high school theater does not have a pit, so for some, watching the conductor may have been  a distraction. I for one always focus on the stage action, so I hardly noticed him.

The set (Michael Clack) is more than I expected in a newer theater company production, and the lighting (Joel Zishuk) and sound (Michael Patrick) were right on. The costumes (Cindy Moon) were a little less glitzy than I am used to, but let’s face it, budgets for this type of theater is nothing compared to a Broadway budget. Hats off to Jesse Hersman for the fight and intimacy direction and Katir Novak for the props.

This was a huge undertaking with a huge cast, and as I said earlier, due to Covid many had to do double duty. I can’t list them all, but I was impressed by Justine Cameron as Fantine  , Amia Korman (Eponine), Campbell Krausen ( Cosette),  Joe Grudt (Thenardier), Erin Kelley ( Madame Thenardier), Marius ( Jeffrey Charles), Enjolras ( Evan Smith) as well as the kids that are double cast (little Cosette-Little Eponine- Lanah Vurnakes/Brielle Horwich ( I guess they switch at various performances) and Gavroche -Bobby Schaffer/Nathaniel Vodak.

There is only one week remaining, so might I suggest to order your tickets right away. Last night they were sold out. Don’t be one of those that missed this slick production.