A breathtaking tale of revolution, romance, and redemption, South County High School's production of “Les Miserables” made the audience wish to see it “one day more."
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, “Les Miserables” is the fifth longest running musical on Broadway and has become one of the most famous across the globe. The musical follows the journey of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, and Cosette, his adopted daughter, as they leave their pasts behind them in search for a better future, while helping those they meet along the way.
As a central character, Jack Gereski carried the show as Jean Valjean with his poise and raw emotion. Cara Bachman, as Fantine, was absolutely mesmerizing. Her strong acting choices and risks paid off, and she certainly did the the iconic number, "I Dreamed a Dream" justice with her powerful vocals. Cameron Powell beautifully captured Javert's underlying emotions and motives for doing what he believed was right, all while displaying his impressive voice.
The ensemble as a whole was consistently focused and animated. The duo of the greedy Thenardier and Madame Thenardier, however, were exceptional in their physicality and provided bursts of comic relief.
The student pit orchestra never missed a note and was well-balanced overall.
The technical side of the show also boasted great achievements, including a rotating stage and a creative battle barricade. The crystal clear microphones never dropped on the vocalists, even while singing close to one another.
The striking costumes and realistic props immersed the audience in the time period. And, as the show contained few blackouts, scene changes were impressive and executed without a hitch. The makeup was also noteworthy in portraying the progression of time.
As this musical comprised of only song and no speaking whatsoever, needless to say it was a challenge to pull off, especially for a high school production, but the talented cast of South County High School did so brilliantly.