Young Fox Valley troupe ready for the challenge of 'Les Mis'
For Steve Olson's first turn as a producer at Fox Valley Theatre Company, he might have selected another light musical like FVTC has staged in the past - something along the lines of "Grease," "Crazy for You" or "Once Upon a Mattress."
But Olson opted for a heavyweight, an operatic classic that has become one of the most popular musicals in the world, and it's working out just fine. Bringing its considerable talent and powerful vocals to the stage, FVTC opens "Les Miserables" Friday in Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre.
Actors are high school students and graduates up to 21 years old.
Olson said he suggested "Les Mis" to the company's board because he knew that the kids - most of whom are quite savvy to musical theater - would be interested and challenged by it.
"'Les Mis' is one of those shows that they all know," Olson said. "It's been around as long as many of them have been around."
Not the original story, of course. Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" became an overwhelming success when the novel was published in 1862. But the poignant musical crafted by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer has been just as enthusiastically received since its 1985 London premiere and 1987 debut on Broadway.
More than 50 major theater awards, a Grammy and eight Tony Awards later, "Les Mis" has been translated into 21 languages for shows in 38 countries and ranks as the longest-running musical on Broadway's West End and third longest in Broadway history.
"I love the music and how dramatic it is," said Kirsten Schulenburg, a senior at Wheaton North High School who plays the leading female role of Cosette. "It's a story of grace. It's a great example for all of us."
An experienced actress, Schulenburg said Cosette has been her "dream role," only partly because it requires a strong soprano.
"I just admire how Cosette is so innocent and sweet after her oppressive childhood," she said.
Told almost completely in song, "Les Misérables" is the riveting account of the fictional Jean Valjean (Chris Theodorou), imprisoned in 1815 France for stealing a loaf of bread. The story opens with his release 19 years later, when Valjean is inspired to leave the temptations of crime behind by a church bishop in a startling act of forgiveness.
As Valjean becomes a successful businessman and even mayor of his town, he repays the priest's kindness with many kindnesses of his own. Among them, he befriends Fantine (Val Zawada), a young prostitute dying of tuberculosis.
Promising to care for Fantine's daughter, Cosette, he purchases her freedom from the disreputable innkeepers who have been her guardians (Brogan Gust and Esther Fiebig).
Nine years later, Cosette is a lovely young woman whose dream of a future with a student named Marius (Matt Kuyawa) collides with political conflict and her papa's secret past.
The past catches up with Valjean in the person of Inspector Javert (Nick Fayette), a relentless pursuer of "justice" determined to bring down even a reformed parole-breaker like Valjean who just wants to live in peace. Much of the story is told against the backdrop of a bold student uprising in Paris.
Theodorou, a senior at Elgin Academy who takes private voice lessons and sings in two choirs, enjoys the challenge of playing Jean Valjean.
"I think he's just a great character to play and analyze and get in his head," Theodorou said. "The fact that he can go and have a conversation with a man who's been hunting him for 20 years and doesn't recognize him is really impressive."
Director Terry Domschke has encouraged the cast to examine their characters well. "They need an understanding of human interactions," he said. "The choices made (in the story) lead to incredibly powerful transitions and consequences.
"(The actors are) usually used to a little lighter fare; this gives them a chance to go in-depth on characters," Domschke said.
"This is not a glitzy musical. You can't fake this one. They have to know what the actions mean and what the lyrics mean."
But Domschke and music director Karen Brhel believe the cast is more than ready for opening night.
"I think the people who got the principal roles are really doing a very good job," Domschke said. "There should be some powerful performances coming out of this."
And that includes a couple of grade-schoolers, too. For this production, FVTC borrows several younger actors from its sister company, Children's Theatre of Elgin, giving solos to seventh-grader Adam Horn, as Gavroche, and fifth-grader Tracy Suppes, as young Cosette.
Production coordinators Claudette Gust and Sue Schutzkus assist Domschke in staging "Les Mis," and Brhel conducts the live orchestra. This version is a School Edition, meaning about 20 minutes have been cut from the original, mostly in "nonessential music that doesn't follow plot lines," Olson said.
Most of the favorites are still there, though, including "Do You Hear the People Sing?" "One Day More," "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House" and others.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Sept. 5 and 12, and Saturdays, Sept. 6 and 13, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays, Sept. 7 and 14. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at www.elgin.edu or by calling the ECC Box Office at (847) 622-0300.
The Blizzard Theatre is in ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center at 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin.
If you go
What: Fox Valley Theatre Company and Children's Theatre of Elgin's production of "Les Miserables" school edition
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 5 and 12; Saturdays, Sept. 6 and 13, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 7 and 14.
Where: The Blizzard Theatre at ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin
Tickets: $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors
Info: Visit www.elgin.edu or call (847) 622-0300.