‘Les Miserables’ offers slice of life

By Jane Norris

Published: May 1, 2008

The plot of “Les Miserables’’ addresses themes that can keep people apart. The current production at Albemarle High School, however, is bringing a lot of community members together.
The impoverished character Valjean gets a hefty sentence for stealing a loaf of bread, setting a complex chain of events into motion that made Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel an international favorite and the 1980 musical version by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil a worldwide hit.
At AHS, director Fay Cunningham calls the challenging show “really a community event.’’
“You have to have that kind of support structure or it just won’t work,’’ said Cunningham, who recently was named drama-forensics coach of the year by the Virginia High School League.
Her cast includes Cassie Penny as Cosette, Sydney Pugh as Madame Thenardier, Chelsea Greer as Fantine, Carly Amburn as Eponine, Georgia Castleman as Little Cosette and Tatum Norris as Little Eponine.
Mike Sakell plays Valjean, Daniel
Prillaman is Monsieur Thenardier and Nick Smith plays Javert. Jeremy Weiss portrays Marius, Grant Collins is Enjolras, Peter Balcke is Gavroche, Chris Reilly is Bishop and Andy Parker plays Grantaire.
All told, about 50 students will be acting, singing, playing instruments and working in technical capacities in the production.
Band director Greg Thomas is directing the orchestra, and choral director Jennifer Morris is the vocal director. Math teacher Larry Johnson designed the set, teaming up with architect Ray Gaines. Principal Matthew Haas will make a cameo appearance in each performance.
Students who are taking part come not only from Albemarle, but also from Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Sutherland Middle School, Jack Jouett Middle School, Peabody School, Covenant Lower School and Charlottesville Catholic School.
Some students have plenty of performance experience, including several singers who’ve honed their skills in the Virginia Consort Youth Chorale. Others are newcomers to the theater.
“There are several people with leads who have never been in a musical before,’’ Cunningham said.
Sakell, who plays Valjean, is an AHS football player who had to sacrifice his spring sports schedule to take the role.
Smith, a medal-winning member of the forensics team, “didn’t really get into drama until his junior year,’’ Cummingham said.
Brian Farmer, who took the photos, is a freshman.
Together, the students are tackling demanding music and learning the complexities of getting a large production off the ground. By diving into the plot of the show, they’re examining such issues as poverty and social injustice. And by making the challenging show work, they’re learning about the hard work it takes to realize a dream.
Before Saturday’s performance, at 6:30 p.m., there’s a dinner featuring specialties from Ragazzi’s for folks who’d like a dinner-theater experience. Yes, it’s Italian food for a French-themed show — but no worries. There will be plenty of bread.
Tickets are available in advance at all Lloyd’s Hallmark stores.
They will be $15 at the door and $10 in advance for the show. Folks wanting to attend Saturday’s dinner theater will pay $20 and need to reserve their seats today. Proceeds will benefit the Bill Hinek Scholarship, which goes to AHS seniors who plan to pursue theater studies in college. For information, call 975-9300, Ext. 4213.