Les Miserables
at South County Secondary School

Reviewed on May 9, 2015

Katie Wattendorf
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

It's one of the most famous lines in all of musical theatre: "Do you hear the people sing?" It's a line that must be proven through rousing songs and powerful actors that storm the stage and fill an auditorium with epic talent and prowess. On Saturday night at South County Secondary School, they proved it and more, in their jaw-dropping and heart-warming rendition of the classic, "Les Miserables."

Based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, "Les Miserables" was written by Claude-Michel Schönberg, for a Paris debut in 1980 to immediate box-office acclaim. It then premiered in London's West End in 1985, and has been running continuously ever since. In America, it debuted on Broadway in 1987 and ran until 2003, making it now the fifth-longest running Broadway musical. It also won eight out of its twelve Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. In 2012, a movie adaptation was released starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, which went on to win three Oscars. A Broadway revival of the legendary production is currently playing on Broadway to sold-out audiences.

"Les Miserables" tells the epic tale of escaped prisoner Jean Valjean. After breaking parole he is inspired to become a new man, so he hides his past and works his way to become mayor of a French town. Inspector Javert, the adamant cop who locked up Valjean, has dedicated his life to finding the missing man. Amidst this turmoil, the students of the town are uprising in support of the French Revolution, bringing the battles to their own barricade. It's a famed and timeless tale about the power of love, strength, and forgiveness, which perfectly explains the longevity and prominence in the theatre world throughout the years.

South Country did not fall short on acting talent. Stealing the show in the acclaimed leading role was senior Jack Gereski as Jean Valjean. Proving to have immense vocal ability beyond his years, Gereski's renditions of the powerful "Who Am I?" and "Valjean's Soliloquy" were complemented by his nuanced acting choices and bold emotional spectrum. Still, the highlight of the entire production was his performance of the moving "Bring Him Home", which was followed by minutes of well-deserved applause. Matching the vocal ability of Gereski was Cara Bachman in the role of Fantine. Bachman was riveting, her emotions apparent and heartbreaking, and her vocals well-trained and powerful. In each scene in which she appeared, Bachman had the audience fixated on fantastic portrayal of the difficult part. Also a standout was Cameron Powell as the angered and troubled Javert, who provided a classic take on the part, excellent chemistry with Gereski, and strong vocal talent.

The ensemble lacked in nothing. The rag-tag gang of student rebels were energetic and exciting, while featured parts such as the ridiculous Thernardiers provided comedic relief. The technical aspects in the rotating stage, shifting set, and intricate makeup complemented the already powerful actors.

In one of the most famous and beloved musicals of all time, South County High School fell nothing short of success in their stellar take on "Les Miserables".

Yvonne Nguyen
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

"You, who suffer because you love, love still more. To die of love is to live by it." Told through a series of enthralling songs, Les Miserables is a simultaneously devastating and uplifting musical that encompasses the spirit of revolution and the struggle of corruption. In a tumultuous tale of rebellion and redemption, South County High School's production of Les Miserables was a riveting tribute to an audience favorite.

Les Miserables recounts the life of French peasant, Jean Valjean. After being released from 19 years in prison, Valjean decides to break his parole in order to journey for a better life as an honest man. While narrowly escaping policeman Javert's clutches, Valjean finds his purpose in caring for a young orphan, Cosette. All the while, French students attempt to incite a revolution by risking their lives on a street barricade, all in the hopes of more humane treatment for the impoverished. A devastating tale of humanity and corruption, Les Miserables was based on a book of the same name, written by Victor Hugo. Opening in 1980, the first production of Les Miserables closed after a measly three months. However, in 1985, the English language version of the musical premiered, and was deemed a smashing hit. As the longest running show on London's West End, nominated for 12 Tony Awards, Les Miserables has become an iconic show in the theatre community.

Jean Valjean, played by Jack Gereski, shocked audiences with his ability to portray gripping emotion. Holding the audience's hearts in his hands, Gereski was able to display the immense character development of Valjean. Perhaps most impressive was the way that Gereski connected with his fellow actors. Creating intense character relationships, Gereski did a phenomenal job of bringing Valjean to life. Gereski's singing voice was, however, the highlight of the show. Filling the theater with heartache and emotion, absolute silence could be heard during his solo "Bring Him Home".

Cameron Powell (Javert) acted as the perfect balance to Gereski's powerful performance. Powell made bold character choices and stuck to them passionately. Powell was able to capture the spirit of Javert's internal struggle, and although he was the villain in the show, Powell was able to emphasize the humanity in his character. Powell's tenacity in tackling such an emotionally-demanding role was inspiring and proved he had emotional maturity well beyond his years.

Despite only a brief appearance on stage, Cara Bachman did not disappoint as the tragic character, Fantine. Paralleling Gereksi in many ways, Bachman showed an amazing physical transformation in a short period of time and her raw emotion was in a word, beautiful. Breaking the mold of past Fantines, Bachman's devastating display of heartache and desperation in the legendary song, "I Dreamed a Dream" was piercing and poignant. In this regard, although she did not have much stage time, Bachman worked incredibly and made the most with what she had.

As Les Miserables takes place over a long period of time, the stage makeup to show age progression was very effective, especially in Valjean (Gereski). The makeup to display Fantine's poor health in her final hours was also incredibly believable.

Pouring dynamic emotion and heartfelt intensity into every note, South County High School's Les Miserables was well beyond the expectation of a high school musical. Creating a professional level experience, South County High School's musical would linger on the minds of the audience for weeks to come.

Margaret O'Meara
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of the people who will not be slaves again!" Sending goosebumps up the spines of the audience, South County High School's production of Les Miserables was a captivating and compelling story of how running towards the future might only lead to confronting the past.

Les Miserables, a musical by Alain Boubill and Claude-Michel Schonberg with lyrics by Herbert Kreztmer based on the novel by Victor Hugo, follows a prisoner, Jean Valjean, as he is given a second chance to become an honest man. On his journey, he learns the power of forgiveness and sacrifice as he takes care of broken Fantine, her child Cosette, and later a group of young revolutionists, while being hunted by a determined inspector. Les Miserables has been enjoyed by audiences first as a novel, then a musical and several film adaptations. The musical adaption of Les Miserables has won Tony and Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical.

Jack Gereski shined in his role as Jean Valjean. From his first appearance in "Valjean's Soliloquy" to his last in "Epilogue," Gereski took control of his scenes with passion and energy proving his commitment to his role. Gereski's rendition of "Bring Him Home" was powerful and impressive, highlighting his triumphant vocal talent while harnessing the emotion and attention of the audience.

Cameron Powell, as Inspector Javert, was a true star on stage, portraying his stubborn and motivated character with intensity and conviction; proving his talent in "Stars" and "Javert's Suicide" where his commitment to his character externalized Javert's internal conflict. Powell's powerful presence fit his militaristic character perfectly, commanding each of his scenes.

The fantastically talented female actors in this production brought emotion and strength to their scenes. Cara Bachman as Fantine provided an impressive performance of "I Dreamed a Dream," conquering her solo with mighty emotion. Rachel Snare as Eponine shined in "On my Own," harnessing the heartbreak of her character and utilizing that heartbreak as a source of force. Katelyn Sparks as Cosette contrasted the other leading ladies by providing a daintier presence on stage. Cosette's relationship with Valjean and Marius was authentic, connecting with both characters genuinely in their respective scenes.

Kyle McKnight as Marius handsomely conquered "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and "ABC Cafe," where his externalization of Marius' struggle to fight for his people or fight for love exhibited his character's development. Sniffles and sobs could be heard throughout the audience, evoked by the intense emotion of the revolutionists during the moving number led by McKnight, "Do You Hear the People Sing."

The comedic pair Thenardier and Madame Thenardier (Ethan Schulze and Rebecca Symmes) brought the perfect amount of crude comedic energy, lifting the burden of this emotional show with comedic relief. Their execution of "Master of the House" was an entertaining performance confirming that they were also the masters of the humor.

Set Designers Will Casciano, David Kleppinger, Peter Huynh, and Evan Sparks generously made use of a rotating stage, allowing quick set changes and dynamic scenes. The stage management and crew commendably rotated the stage with ease, silence and swiftness. Lighting designer Gillian Schuneman interestingly used contrasting red and blue light to represent the two sides of the revolution, creating a compelling visual, especially notable in "Stars."

With committed actors, a powerful orchestra, and dynamic technical aspects, South County's production of Les Miserables was a captivating and intense testament to the power of forgiveness and compassion, proving that "to love another person is to see the face of God."

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

Make sure you have a pack of tissues, and don't forget your waterproof make-up, because you'll be sure to get teary at South County High School's production of the popular musical "Les Misérables."

"Les Misérables," based on the 1862 Victor Hugo novel of the same name, follows the life of repentant ex-con Jean Valjean over the span of several decades, as he attempts to make up for past wrongdoings and become an honest man. Set in early 1800s France, the show offers a look into the lives of the downtrodden, poverty-stricken French citizenry during an era of repeated revolution and political turmoil.

Jack Gereski was spellbinding as Jean Valjean, demonstrating both fantastic acting skills and a stunningly beautiful singing voice. He developed his character wonderfully, growing from the angry, desperate man he was at the beginning of the show into a courageous one who could finally find peace. Gereski's pure vocals were off-the-charts throughout the performance, particularly wowing the audience during his solo number, "Bring Him Home." He also impressed during his scenes with Cameron Powell, who was greatly moving in the role of police inspector Javert, Jean Valjean's foil and constant adversary. The two actors had a unique, fiery chemistry. Powell was unforgettable, showing off both incredibly powerful singing and great emotional capacity, especially during his solo number "Stars" and his riveting suicide scene.

South County boasted a large collection of valuable supporting performers. Cara Bachman was heart-breaking as Fantine, an unwed mother who works as a prostitute to provide for her daughter before succumbing to illness, leaving the child in the care of Jean Valjean. Bachman commanded the stage with the intense emotional weight of her role and deserves note for her hard-hitting rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream." Fantine's daughter, Cosette, played commendably by Katelyn Sparks, later found love with an idealist revolutionary named Marius, played by Kyle McKnight. McKnight gave a very strong performance as his character struggled between his love for Cosette and his love for his country, giving a stellar vocal performance during his solemn solo, "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," in which he sings of his friends who were killed during their doomed rebellion.

Although "Les Misérables" is clearly a somber musical, it is not utterly without comic relief. The Thenardiers, a conniving, money-grubbing pair of crooks, were performed admirably by Ethan Schulze and Rebecca Symmes. Schulze was a great mixture of humorous and terribly creepy, especially as he fished through the bodies of the fallen rebels to find valuables. This spine-chilling quality was only exacerbated by an effect which made his teeth appear grossly rotten - a nice choice on the part of the make-up department. Symmes, meanwhile, was wickedly funny in her role, particularly as she ridiculed her husband during the up-beat number, "Master of the House."

South County High School delivered a breathtaking production of the iconic "Les Misérables." Such a well-known, well-loved show comes with a high level of expectation, but the cast of South County blew those expectations away with their talent and dedication. The audience was left in awe, and the standing ovation that they bestowed on the performers was certainly well-deserved.

Nikki Amico
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com- CH/Lorton/Oakton

A revolt that begins with a whisper, a prisoner on the run, a broken heart, a broken town: the masterpiece Les Miserables tells this haunting story of early 19th-century France. A challenging show for high school students with both poignant subject matter and complex music, South County High School's Les Miserables transcended these difficulties to become an inspiring and beautiful production.

Based on a novel by Victor Hugo, the musical Les Miserables first premiered in Paris in 1980. The English-language version, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, began on the West End in 1985, and led to a Broadway production that opened in 1987, where it ran for 16 years and won eight Tony awards. The show has since been translated into 21 languages and performed in 48 countries, growing into a touchstone of musical theatre around the world.

The story follows Jean Valjean, a prisoner who escapes his punishment and vows to live a better life. Valjean becomes mayor of a small town in France stricken with poverty and injustice for the poor. Fantine, a single mother, is fired from her factory job and left to die on the streets. Valjean later finds Fantine in a desperate state and, upon learning that his actions led to her downfall, promises to rescue and care for her daughter, Cosette. As time goes on, the beginnings of a revolution fester within Paris, led by students Enjorlas and Marius, who meets and falls for Cosette. Meanwhile, inspector Javert continues to pursue Valjean to punish him for violating his parole. Many other characters are introduced throughout the story, adding to the conflict of his journey.

Skilled vocalists are essential to the success of this production, a feature that South County was in no shortage of. Jack Gereski as Jean Valjean masterfully delivered each of his challenging solos with the conviction of an actor far beyond his years. His performance of "Bring Him Home" was especially notable as he believably embodied his character's suffering as an elderly man while beautifully singing an incredibly difficult song. Cameron Powell, as Valjean's counterpart Javert, demonstrated equally impressive vocals and commitment to his complex character, remarkably shown in numbers such as "Stars" and "Javert's Suicide". However, the most heart-wrenching performance was that of Cara Bachman as Fantine. Bachman drew the audience in from the moment she stepped on stage and succeeded in individualizing the iconic "I Dreamed a Dream" with incredibly bold acting choices that brought incomparable emotion to the song in addition to strong vocals. These actors far surpassed the expectations one brings to a high school production, giving the show the emotional depth it deserved.

The production team chose to use a revolving stage, a decision that quickened the pace of the show and allowed for seamless set transitions. Despite some questionable moments for scene changes, the stage crew, led by Alison Sall and Peter Huynh, was quiet and efficient, contributing to the professionalism of the production. In addition, sound design (David Gigrich) featured an abundance of microphones that for the most part worked flawlessly. Though it sometimes overshadowed the actors, the orchestra was another standout element of the production as the students played the complex score with precision and musicality.

With incredible performances and all around professionalism, this production did justice for the iconic masterpiece, communicating inspiring messages of hope for "when tomorrow comes."

Olivia Hunt
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A breathtaking tale of revolution, romance, and redemption, South County High School's production of Les Miserables made the audience wish to see it "One Day More."

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is the fifth longest running musical on Broadway and has become one of the most famous across the globe. The musical follows the journey of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, and Cosette, his adopted daughter, as they leave their pasts behind them in search for a better future, while helping those they meet along the way.

As a central character, Jack Gereski carried the show as Jean Valjean with his poise and raw emotion. Cara Bachman, as Fantine, was absolutely mesmerizing. Her strong acting choices and risks paid off, and she certainly did the the iconic number, "I Dreamed a Dream" justice with her powerful vocals. Cameron Powell beautifully captured Javert's underlying emotions and motives for doing what he believed was right, all while displaying his impressive voice.

The ensemble as a whole was consistently focused and animated. The duo of the greedy Thenardier and Madame Thenardier, however, were exceptional in their physicality and provided bursts of comic relief.

The Student Pit Orchestra never missed a note and was well-balanced overall.

The technical side of the show also boasted great achievements, including a rotating stage and a creative battle barricade. The crystal clear microphones never dropped on the vocalists, even while singing close to one another.

The striking costumes and realistic props immersed the audience in the time period. And, as the show contained few blackouts, scene changes were impressive and executed without a hitch. The makeup was also noteworthy in portraying the progression of time.

As this musical comprised of only song and no speaking whatsoever, needless to say it was a challenge to pull off, especially for a High School production, but the talented cast of South County High School did so brilliantly.

Swetha Ramesh
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

As a musical with quite a history, it's easy to get lost in the grandeur of French Revolution, the universal (yet rather clichéd) appeal of a love story, and the old traditions of this production. Yet South County Secondary School's production of Les Miserables brought a fresh take the show. Telling a story of redemption, justice, and love, the cast and crew imported new artistry to the classic tale by focusing on the simplicity of good acting and the purity of a beautiful song.

Based on the novel of the same name by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo, Les Miserables made its musical debut in 1980 in Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil's adaptation. Capturing the unrepressed fervor of revolutionary idealist students and their grand ideologies while telling the story of a simple man yearning to right his wrongs, Les Miserables received record orders at the box office from its debut. Les Miserables has continued to capture audiences everywhere and has retained its legacy as an iconic production as the fifth-longest running Broadway show in history.

With goose bump-raising vocals in "Bring Him Home" and "Who Am I," Jack Gereski stunned as Jean Valjean, coupling an impressive singing range with a strong commitment to character. Bringing great charisma to the beloved character, Gereski took the audience on an emotional journey, beginning with Valjean's despair at a "world that hates" him, and ending with his final contented moments when all his wrongs have been righted. Gereski's portrayal highlighted the innate, eternal goodness of Valjean while at the same time keeping him remarkably human, filling his performance with raw emotion. An impassioned foil to Valjean, Cameron Powell brought a great depth of emotion to the stage in his role as Javert. Capturing Javert's quintessential struggle between his moral and social obligations, Powell flawlessly executed the heart-rending despair of Javert in "Javert's Suicide." While the scene changes distracted from the singing at times, Powell still enraptured the audience delivering phenomenal vocals and complimenting Valjean, while still retaining his own individual presence in the moving harmonies of "Fantine's Death."

While Javert and Valjean engaged in moral (and physical) battles against the backdrop of French Revolution, the darker themes of the musical were brightened with the comic relief provided by the Thenardiers. Working with each other to produce a gut-busting duo, Ethan Schulze and Rebecca Symmes as the Thenardiers employed excellent physicality and commitment to character to bring to life the sniveling, slimy characters. Though "Master of the House" lacked its traditional energy, the ensemble and the Thenardiers more than made up for it in "The Wedding," where the juxtaposition of grandeur and irreverent raucousness served to highlight the commendable acting chops of Schulze and Symmes.

"Do you hear the people sing?" The audience at South County's production most definitely did. Executing flawless vocals and unadulterated emotion, this production of Les Miserables was undoubtedly revolutionary.

Tyler Shores
Mt. Vernon High School
Submitted for publication to South County Courier

Do you hear the people sing? Because if you do you're probably listing to the sweet sounds of revolution from South County High School's production of "Les Miserables."

This iconic masterpiece got its foundation from an 1862 novel by Victor Hugo with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg. It first premiered in September of 1980, in its own setting of France. It then moved to Broadway just 7 years later. Just like the revolution in the musical, it spread like a wildfire worldwide. In the most recent adaptations it was presented in a movie in 2012 staring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman. Due to its mass popularity, it was happily revived back on Broadway last year. The show overall won multiple Tony awards including Best Original Score and Best Musical. The journey follows Jean Valjean and his quest over many years to leave his past behind and become a new man all while participating in the French Revolution.

South County's rendition of this intensive musical shined through Broadway like vocals and minimal yet effective set. With all these factors, the audience at the end of the night seemed to beg for "One Day More." of this spectacular musical.

Jean Valjean (Jack Gereski) gave a phenomenal performance through his vocals and character. Most noteworthy was the song "Bring Him Home" where he effectively showed off his higher range compared to the other impressive songs. Efficiently, he showed his age transitions throughout the show by progressively getting older through his movement and dialogue. Fantine (Cara Bachman) also presented remarkable vocals in the iconic song "I Dreamed a Dream" where her outpouring of emotions and her vocals were cohesive, making a show stopping performance. Both composed a dedicated relationship on stage especially right before Fantine died, when Valjean promised to take care of her daughter.

Javert (Cameron Powell) depicted his character well; trying to track down Valjean and bringing him to justice. He presented a solid relationship with Gereski throughout the show and was another outstanding vocalist. More specifically, in the song "The Confrontation," he set the mood with the other characters on stage by shouting and singing over them; setting a very tense environment overall. Providing the comedic relief to the show was both Thenardier (Ethan Schulze) and Madame Thenardier (Rebecca Symmes). The two conniving crooks worked together creating mass energy in "Master of The House," where they pushed each other around all while working together to steal other's valuable items, giving a light comedic touch.

The set was very minimal, but worked well for each scene. A gigantic element of the set was a barricade made of wooden furniture that spread almost across the entire stage. The barricade was strong enough to allow the actors to climb over it as well. Another notable technical feature of the set was the revolving circle center stage. Seeming to be moved effortlessly, characters had no trouble moving and getting off the slow moving platform in a formal manner. An eye appealing aspect was when characters held candles in their hands. Even though they were revolving, each actor was singing and was effectively heard. The orchestra did a commendable job in keeping up with each scene while having the difficulty of playing almost the whole time. Even though they sometimes overpowered the mics on stage, their score was well presented.

"At the End of the Day," South County's production of "Les Miserables" touched the hearts of a sold out crowd emotionally and left them on their feet at the end of the night.