One of the nation’s most popular and revered musicals is coming to Bethel as the students travel back to France in 1830 for Les Misérables. It’s the biggest, most daunting show the school has ever staged and the results are expected to leave the audience impressed and moved by the emotional journey. Performances of Les Miserables in the Bethel auditorium will be April 15 – 17.
A musical in every sense of the word, minus any dance numbers, Les Misérables is done entirely in song from start to finish. There are only a few lines of dialogue in the whole production. Due to the amount of singing in the show, vocals were the deciding factor in assembling the cast. Auditions were solely musical this year with no line readings. The decision to do Les Misérables is a testament to the vocal talents within the student body. “An all music show means that you cannot have a weak link. Every member of the chorus has to be talented because most have solos at some point, and unless that chorus member can read music they cannot work on their part on their own like a typical musical where they would drill music in a group and any dialogue they can get on their own,” said Coleman Clark, who plays Valijean.
The lead character, Valijean, is a French peasant seeking redemption after serving 19 years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread. His path towards peace is interrupted by those involved in the French Revolution. To deal with the weight of such a heavy role Clark relies on his inner strength, and also like Valijean, he continuously pushes himself to achieve his goals. “Valijean is extremely motivated and follows through on his motivations. I see a lot of myself in that,” said Clark.
The role of Enjolras, a charismatic leader of the French Revolution is being played by Regan Bowman. The experience has been pleasantly challenging for Bowman, not just for its vocal depth but also to capture the character’s personality. “I’m not bold and I have to rally up the people to join the revolution,” he said. “And vocally, I’ve learned how to really belt it out. I’ve been drinking lots of water to prepare my voice.”
The opportunity to play the role of Fantine has given Kyana Wanamaker a new perspective on music, though the senior has been a part of the high school musicals since she was a seventh grader. Much of her insight has revolved around her singing of “I Dreamed a Dream,” which is one of the show’s most popular songs. “I always thought music had to be pretty, but in this show it’s a way of speech. You have to sing like you are speaking, whether you are crying, yelling, or just saying a few words,” said Wanamker. “I’ve learned that “I Dreamed a Dream,’ isn’t a pretty song, but is just letting feelings out.”
The insight by Wanamaker was gained when Bethel’s marching band saw Les Misérables on Broadway while in New York over spring break. Seeing the show was beneficial to many members of the cast, who took notes on how to better portray their character, particularly by watching gestures and facial expressions.
A trait that Wanamaker shares with Fantine is their sacrificial spirit. “She will do anything for anyone, no matter the cost. Me and her are both very protective of those we care about,” she said.
For three months the cast has worked hard to master every element of the show and provide a wide range of emotions. “My mission is to give you either chills or tears, and I hope I do my job,” said Clark.
Performances of Les Misérables are Friday, April 15 at 7p.m., Saturday, April 16 at 1p.m. and 7p.m., and Sunday, April 17 at 3p.m. at the Bethel auditorium. All tickets are $7. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at the high school. Call 845-9487 for more information.
