"Les Miserables" opens tonight in the theater at Willmar Senior High School. The production is being staged by the high school drama department.
This is the school edition of the epic Broadway production that has been shortened to 2½ hours and the vocals have been adapted to fit the high school performers.
This musical is billed as a very dramatic show based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name written in 1862. It is filled with emotion, drama and memorable melodies that keep reoccurring during the show.
There is no spoken dialogue in the entire show; rather it falls more into the genre of an opera, with recitative (dialogue that is sung) and arias (ballads and songs). This show is best suited for ages 10 and older.
"Les Miserables" is a show about the life journey of Jean Valjean, the hero of the show, played by Trey Haugen.
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Aakriti Mehra plays Fantine, the beautiful young girl who, abandoned by her lover, is left to fend for herself and her daughter Cosette. She is rejected by society and forced through circumstances to become a prostitute. She is a brave woman defeated by life, sustained by her love for her daughter and clinging to her dignity. Sick with consumption, the play follows her descent through poverty, hunger, cold, loneliness and destitution to death. She is a noble and proud character, whose life becomes a series of terrible events that rob her of her pride, character, and, ultimately, her life.
Other cast members are Aaron Eddy, Alex Burdorf, Alex Vasquez, Ali Unger, Alicia Alvarado, Anders Nordstrom, Andrew Halbritter, Ashley Schmidt, Ben Saint, Ben Watson, Brady Dyson, Brianna Battalion
Cameron Haugen, Claire Schmitz, Cooper Willis, Emily Nelson, Erika Ellingson, Evan Armstrong, Gabi Engelkes, Grant Kallevig, Grant Schneider, Ian Bloomquist, Janine Hunstad, Jasper Sweazy
Jenna VanBuren, Jeremy Werner, Jessica Torkelson, Joe Dobransky, Josh Freitas, Kadyn Wittman, Kayla Rozendaal, Khia Raatz, Kyle Rozendaal, Laura Juetten, Lauren Broberg, Levi Studanski, Lonnie Moore, Mariah Nellermoe, Matt Onnen
Megan Kingery, Nate Tusa, Nick Fostervold, Pat Rieland, Philip Knutson, Rachel Peterson, Ryan Freitas, Sam Sing, Sarah Floren, Shea Johnson, Shelby Morton, Shelly Sommers, Susie Voss
Tessa Anderson, Tiffany Sieu, Trevor Fosso, Troy Stulen, Tyler Loiselle and Zach Vasquez.
Members of the pit orchestra are Beth Gazelka, Kiersten Gazelka, Joshua Pierskalla, Robert Brau, Andrew Schulz, Kelsey Hansen, Elly Clark, Sheri Munsterman, Ellie Holtz, Chelsey Sorenson, Justin Pierskalla, Patrick Hand, Jackson Roberts, Rachel Molenaar, Michael Cola, Danny Voss, Abby Bateman, Hannah Schmidt and Jessica Dahlke.
The student directors are Suzie Flaig and Andrew Halbritter, student choreographer is Sarah Floren and student set director is Joanna Green.
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Set construction and painting were done by Brittney Edwardson, Joanna Green, Joe Iverson, Melanie Lang, Sabrina McCorquodale, Vanesia McCray, Aaron Reich, Colin Rohne, Guillermo Serrano, Alicia Vorhees, Kelsey Vorhees, Tom LaPatka, Laura Morales, Sheri Munsterman, Emily Nodonly, Elli Clark and Manny Flores.
Running the lights and sound are Phil Nelson, Sam Benson, Reid Olson and Nick Dahlke.
Musical directors are Daphne Evenson, Neal Haugen and Julene Haugen. Terry Brau is the pit orchestra conductor and is in charge of lights and sound. Bryan Mara is the set director and Susie Johnson is the costume director.
The specifics:
Showtime is 7 p.m. today through Saturday with a 1 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students and are available at the Willmar Community Ed and Rec office in the Washington Learning Center, 325 Willmar Ave. S.W., Willmar.
