SHS' Production of Les Miserables is a Hit!
Written by Chloee Henley, Former Student on Monday, May 8, 2017
Breathtaking. If there is any way to sum up the beautiful production on display in the SHS Performing Arts Center, it’s in that one word. The incredibly talented cast, rich music and brilliant costumes and sets create a euphoric experience for the audience that leaves one in tears of joy and sorrow.
Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables follows the life of a man named Jean Valjean who works his way from helpless convict to inspiring mayor to devoted father. The story is set back in 19th century France where the country is on the verge of a revolution. As Jean Valjean makes his way through life he builds relationships with people from all walks of life and discovers the meaning of life and what aspects one should truly value. Over the course of the story Valjean makes enemies with an officer of the law named Javert, befriends a woman in need named Fantine and becomes the father of an orphan child called Cosette.
The director’s attention to detail can be seen in every set used throughout the production. The stage appeared almost sent back in time with its cobblestone wall and dim lighting. The stage took on a variety of locations which were creatively switched back and forth by the use of different lighting and background noises along with the set pieces themselves. Most impressively, the crew was able to switch back and forth between scenes of a barricade from the front and the back in a matter of seconds. But to more deeply intensify each and every scene, the magnificent orchestra who lurked down below the stage played an impressive range of music for nearly three hours straight. The sounds that echoed out of the orchestra seemed to narrate the play all by itself and led cast members around the stage and through every note. Without the magnificent work of the crew and orchestra, this production of Les Misérables would have only been half as good as it was.
If you weren’t immediately blown away by the beautifully orchestrated music and eye-catching sets, then you were moved by the spectacular vocals of the diverse cast members. Powerful scenes between father and daughter, Valjean (freshman Riley O’Shea) and Cosette (junior Rhodessa Glaser), were beautifully balanced between the rich vocals of O’Shea and the sweet innocence in the voice of Glaser. Similarly, the more lonely-souls of the production, Javert and Fantine, were brilliantly brought to life by the impressive vocal ranges of actors Collin Pillow, a senior, and sophomore Savannah Judd who both had several solos throughout the production. One of the most breathtaking and moving scenes had to be the death of Eponine, a woman who is in love with Cosette’s fiance Marius. The scene was played by sophomore Drew Winston (Marius) and junior Taylor Odom (Eponine) who sang with incredible passion even in such a sorrowful moment.
In the end, if you want to see an impressive display of raw talent and theatrical brilliance then head down to the SHS Performing Arts Center where the play will continue to be performed through May 14.
There is also a student night on Wednesday, May 10, where students may purchase tickets at the door for the discounted rate of ten dollars, regardless of whether or not they have an ASB card.
