Stacey Delmhorst is a Staples High School math teacher.
She is also the proud mother of Griffin Delmhorst. A senior, and vice president of Staples Players, he is double cast as Jean Valjean in the current production of “Les Misérables.”
The show has earned raves from audiences. Even by the sky-high standards of the much-more-than-a-high-school troupe, this one stands out. Over 70 actors and 30 musicians, with costumes, sets and energy that rival professional productions make “Les Mis” a show that will be talked about for years.
Stacey is justifiably proud of her son, and the entire cast and crew. Her words today are well worth reading. And they’re relatable to anyone who has ever watched any child commit fully to any passion — whatever it is, in any field — and find success and satisfaction there, with friends and mentors they will never forget.
There are some nights that remind you why the arts matter; why community, passion and purpose are worth every late rehearsal, every lost weekend, and every frazzled dinner eaten out of a to-go box.
The past 2 nights of “Les Misérables” were those nights.
Sitting in the audience, I found myself doing that impossible parent dance: half bursting with pride, half fighting back tears (okay, I lost that battle — multiple times).
Griffin Delmhorst, in “Les Mis.”
Griffin and his castmates didn’t just perform “Les Mis”; they lived it.
Every emotion, every harmony, every heartbreaking pause between lines felt earned.
The show is a monster of a challenge emotionally, musically and logistically, yet this group of students made it feel effortless. They gave everything they had, and somehow still managed to make us believe they had more to give.
It’s easy to talk about “Les Mis” as a story about revolution, loss and redemption. But what struck me most was its quiet message about legacy. Watching these students — some seasoned seniors, some brand new freshmen — share the stage, I saw exactly that: a legacy being passed down in real time.
The seniors of Griffin, Will, Cat, Sara, Seamus, Cooper, Graham, Harry, Connor, Leila and Mikey (I know there are more!) deserve their moment in the spotlight.
This was their final fall show, the last time they’ll step into a rehearsal hall as students and not alumni, the last time they’ll experience the magic of a fall opening night knowing this family still belongs fully to them.
Their growth over the years has been extraordinary — and not just as performers, but as leaders, mentors and friends.
You could feel their experience anchoring the show. Their presence on stage had that rare mix of confidence and heart that comes from years of late-night line runs, forgotten props, and those unspoken “we’ve got this” glances shared between castmates.
But let me be clear. This wasn’t just a senior showcase. Instead, it was a full company triumph.
The freshmen, sophomores and juniors didn’t just support the seniors; they elevated them. Their energy, dedication and sheer love for the craft radiated from the stage.
They’re the heartbeat that will carry Staples Players into the next generation, keeping the standard sky-high and the spirit intact. Watching them step into their roles, both on stage and within the Players community, was a reminder that this legacy is alive, evolving, and in very good hands.
There was something profoundly moving about seeing such a range of students, from those taking their first bow to those taking their last, pour themselves into this story together.
“Les Misérables” asks a lot of anyone who takes it on. It demands vulnerability, resilience, and the ability to hold both despair and hope in the same breath. These kids did just that. and they did it with heart, humor, grace and professionalism well beyond their years.
Every element of this production — from the powerhouse vocals, the precision of pit orchestra director Lauren Pine, the seamless scene transitions (of the amazing tech crew, led by Fin Maddaloni), and the emotional nuance spoke to the kind of artistry that doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because a group of young people decide, collectively, that they’re going to create something extraordinary. It happens because of directors (David Roth and Kerry Long) and mentors (AnnaMaria Fernandez and Rachel) who believe in them enough to hand them the keys to a show this massive, and trust that they’ll drive it like pros.
And it happens because theater, at its core, is about connection. There was no shortage of that on that stage.
By the final note of “Do You Hear the People Sing,” I was a puddle. Not just because of the story, but because I could see my son and his friends standing on the cusp of something bigger, in the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
(All photos/Kerry Long)
For the seniors, this was their final fall show, their chance to leave everything they’ve learned, loved and lived right there under the lights. And they did it absolutely beautifully.
So yes, I cried (multiple times). But they were the best kind of tears: the kind that come when pride and nostalgia and awe all collide.
Watching Griffin and his fellow Players reminded me that while every show eventually ends, what it leaves behind in the laughter, the memories, the lessons and the legacy never really fades.
Bravo to the entire cast and crew. You didn’t just perform one of the most difficult shows ever written; you transformedêé it into something unforgettable.
The revolution isn’t over, it’s just passing to the next cast.
“Les Misérables” concludes its run with performances this Thursday and Friday, November 20 and 21 (7 p.m.), Saturday, November 22 (2:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, November 23 (2:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Stacey, your characterization of the production was elegant and speaks to the heart of why the arts are central to the right of passage. Since 1958, as a founding member of “Staples Play Production,” I have had a vested interest in that legacy you identify as the treasure in the experience. This time the impact was visceral and lasting. There have been many others, but this one will reset the bar or is it barre. Bravo, brava to all and thank you Stacy, for letting us join you in shedding tears of joy.
To say that I’m extremely impressed is an understatement. John, were you in the class of 1958? If you were, you’d know Christopher Lloyd.
Best production ever! The cast was amazing. There is never a dull moment. The audience broke into applause every 5 minutes. It’s that good!
What an amazing show! Don’t miss it. Stacy caputured the feeling the audience has watching these incredible students perform.
To every student in the cast BRAVO! You are the most talented, the most appreciative, polite and supportive group of kids I have ever worked with. And some I’ve known since you were at GFS as 5th Graders. It takes an army bigger than The French Revolution itself to pull this production off and too many peoples to name here. Bravo kids, team and parents!!! If you haven’t already seen it…..GO!!!
We were awestruck by the performance on Friday, compelled to attend because our neighbor Kaya Scharfstein was among the cast in multiple roles. We were blown away! The production was a marvel, but the talent of the cast was beyond every expectation.
In addition to those mentioned above, I would especially call out the actors in the roles of Eponine and Marius— the voices! I think the actors were Ari Sklar and Veronica Albee according to the program for that night. Wow!
Bravo and brava to the students, the teachers and all involved. We are so grateful that our community supports the arts in the schools. More of this please!
Stacey, thank you for your eloquent tribute to a jaw-dropping production. Past shows have always sparkled, but Les Mis sustains incandescence from lights up to lights out.
Every player fully commits to his or her role. They move, sing and speak like a seasoned company. From sets to sound to lighting, the tech crew follows suit. And the musicians? Barely distinguishable from a Broadway pit.
Kerry and David, you’ve directed a tour de force—with all the precious spinoff Stacey notes. I stand in ovation to all involved.