Throughout its near-70-year history, Staples Players has staged many Broadway blockbusters.
“Mamma Mia!” “West Side Story.” “Cabaret.” The list is long, and impressive.
But this month’s fall production may be the most blockbuster-est of all.
The curtain rises November 13 on “Les Misérables.”
Audiences know and love the second-longest running musical in the world: the non-stop songs, compelling story, complex staging and elaborate costumes.
Not many high school troupes would tackle it.
Then again, not many high school troupes are Staples Players.
Seamus Brannigan (center), with revolutionary students.
“We wanted to pick a show that would not only be a big community event for Westport, but also excite the students,” says Kerry Long, co-director with David Roth.
“They’ve been interested in doing it for years. We have a great group of upperclassmen, and knew they could handle the challenge of such an epic show.”
Players last staged “Les Mis” as a 2008 summer show. Long and Roth have been waiting ever since for the right group to produce it as a fall mainstage.
The cast and crew are excited. Many have read Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel. They know the characters, and the history of “Les Mis”‘s different productions.
“They were thrilled to be given the opportunity to take on these characters,” says Long. “The enthusiasm has carried the show throughout the rehearsal process.”
The “Lovely Ladies” with Fantine (Cat Betit).
With so many moving parts — all the characters, all that music — there is a lot to learn. “They have risen to the challenge tenfold,” Long praises. “But they’ve definitely worked hard to do so.”
There are a lot of cast members working hard: 74. That’s larger than nearly any other Players production.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” Long notes. A mechanized turntable helps crew members move from scene to scene.
Roth and Long say that show will appeal to families. The student edition is 45 minutes shorter than the 3-hour Broadway version (without intermission). But it retains all the action and memorable songs from the original. “You won’t know what’s missing,” Long promises.
She adds that although non-stop action will engage young audience members, because there are gun battles and deaths, it is not aimed at very young children.
Cooper Gusick in “Master of the House.” (All photos/Kerry Long)
Though most of those in the Staples auditorium are familiar with “Les Mis,” anyone who is not will marvel at how the themes of a story written over 160 years ago can be so fresh today.
“Les Misérables” is sure to join the list of epic Staples Players productions.
And, like so many others, there’s more to the story than just what’s on stage.
At another time of upheaval in history, Players is conducting a food drive for Westport’s Homes with Hope, and Bridgeport’s Community Food Pantry.
There will be collection boxes in the lobby for non-perishable food items, and personal care goods like shampoo, toiletries and feminine hygiene products.
(“Les Misérables” will be performed November 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.; November 15 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and November 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 2:30 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.)
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