Les Miserables 2011

Review by Janet Werner
"Nowhere But The Woodlands" Blog
Woodlands Online

Class Act Productions has exceeded every expectation with their production of Les Misérables, a period piece that takes place in the early nineteenth century over a seventeen-year period, with a cast of characters who struggle for redemption and through a revolution. Class Act Productions presented this program several years ago, but a new cast brings it to the stage. As if the material is not challenging enough, this year’s performers have raised the bar once again with elaborate sets, a physically demanding production, and great voices. It’s must be difficult enough to remember all your lines and recite them for the duration of a 2- hour performance, but try singing them! The lines of Les Mis were all sung! And to a live orchestra!

Victor Hugo’s acclaimed 1862 French novel is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. It’s actually historical fiction because it contains factual and historical events portrayed through fictional characters. Les Misérables, translated as The Miserable Ones, comes to life as the Class Act performers portray French characters that include student revolutionaries, factory workers, a convict, and other undesirables. The large cast of equally balanced roles with their rich characterization, enables Class Act to showcase the breadth of its talent.

There are so many main characters but the two that the story focuses on, are Jean Valjean, the convict, played by Doug Gibbs,and the police inspector, Javert, played by Austin Murray. The extent of their roles…number of lines and solos, is an amazing feat on the part of both of them, and they handled it superbly. The Tony Award winning score features the song “I Dreamed a Dream,” which was beautifully performed by Anna Liu, playing the character, Fantine. This was her debut with Class Act Productions and she’ll definitely be in demand for future roles given her outstanding performance.

If you attend enough CAP shows you follow some of the actors and actresses thatdistinguish themselves. I waited with anticipation for Abbey Moss to appear on stage playing Eponine, the street urchin who becomes the first martyr for the revolution. I can’t say enough good things about this amazingly talented young woman… the great voice, the dramatic acting. How prophetic that her character’s life comes to an end as does her career with Class Act Productions. She will be leaving for college to study music at Belmont University in Nashville, and she’ll be terribly missed.

Cossette played by Aubrey Reese, is no stranger either to audiences who regularly attend Class Act Productions programs. This young lady sings like an angel and hopefully we’ll hear her time and time again. Another actress with an angel’s voice was Mandy Miller playing the Young Cossette.

Of special note…George Downham, another familiar CAP performer (the villain Jafar in Alladin, Daddy Warbucks in Annie Jr., and the great and powerful wizard in The Wizard of Oz, just to name a few.) He played so many roles in Les Mis that I lost count.
Likewise, Jenny Gee, Cinderella, had multiple parts in the production. And of course…Joe Dougherty playing his first lead role in a musical as Marius, Ryne Nardecchia's passionate portrayal of Enjolras, and Peter McPoland as Gavroche, who may have been one of the youngest members in this show, but with a veteran Class Act Productions resume, and he’s only in 5th grade at Mitchell Elementary!

And then there were the scene stealers, Trisha Vaden playing Madame Thenardier, and Keith Hale as Thenardier. Their facial expressions, their interaction, the physical comedy! I was dismayed to read in the program that this will be Keith’s last performance with Class Act. He’s given so many wonderful performances; many probably will remember the gangly Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. If this were just a one-man show, Keith Hale’s performance alone, would be worth the price of the ticket. Envision a comical version of Icabod Crane. Keith we’ll looking for you on the big screen.