Les Miserables
at St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Reviewed on February 26, 2022

Alex Perry
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

In today's society, burdened with bloodshed, famine, and discord, finding a genuinely good person can feel impossible. St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Les Misérables demonstrates the virtue in humankind through solid performances, quality ensemble work, and satisfactory technical elements.

Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, Les Misérables, was converted to a French musical in 1980 and appeared in English by 1985. The original Broadway production received eight Tony awards, including the coveted best musical. Les Misérables, or Les Mis, is the world's second-longest-running musical and has been performed in 42 countries.

Les Misérables traces Jean Valjean's transformation from a disreputable thief to a respected elder. Ada Shin played Valjean admirably, committing to each contrasting emotion the challenging role demands. Shin portrayed the often-serene man with ease, shining in musical numbers, especially the falsetto in "Bring Him Home." Juxtaposing Valjean's calm was Jonas Blum's aggression in the role of Javert, the inspector attempting to capture Valjean. The difference between the two characters was evident due to Shin and Blum's opposing movement and vocal choices.

While the two leads grappled with each other, supporting actors connected the remainder of the story. For instance, Gabriel Martinez and Charlotte Lobring performed as Marius and Cosette, respectively. These performers exhibited consistent individual control throughout the show while simultaneously blending vocally, captivating the audience. Independently, Martinez's intonation and vibrato amazed during "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," an emotionally demanding number. Likewise, Lobring's sustained dedication to staying in character brought both intensity and subtlety when required. Joined with Mareina Mitchell's Eponine, the couple utilized pleasing harmonies in "A Heart Full of Love," clearly communicating the inner workings of their connections.

Catherine Colbert stood out as Fantine, an innocent woman with a harrowing experience. Colbert conveyed the character's sentiments expertly, especially during "I Dreamed a Dream." Likewise, Ashley Antezana portrayed Gavroche with high energy, matching the role's youthful nature and elevating the ensemble's liveliness. Rhian Williams and Lara Alarapon beautifully displayed the comedy of their characters, Thénardier and Madame Thénardier. Alarapon and Williams were an excellent pairing of actors, humorously bouncing off each other effectively.

Technically, Les Misérables demands complexity and cooperation on all fronts, a necessity St. Andrew's met successfully. Paramount to a musical is orchestral accompaniment, and St. Andrew's five-person band enhanced the show with a live performance. In addition, the use of Walker Borgmann's projections aided understanding of the often-elaborate script. Contrasting sky colors reflecting the time and messages explained jumps in location and brought clarity otherwise lacking in the text.

Les Misérables united entertaining acting with stagecraft to display the generosity of an ordinary man. Average humans who express selflessness in the face of catastrophe, like Jean Valjean, convey the natural goodness of which we are all capable. St. Andrew's Episcopal School's performance succeeds in leaving the audience with greater hope for humanity's restoration and is sure to delight fans of the show and theatre newcomers alike.

Alex Kern
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Set against the backdrop of the changing tides of the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean (Ada Shin), St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Les Misérables put on display the whole company's wide array of talents. With innovative use of special effects and effective use of limited space, St. Andrew's demonstrated their ingenuity through every aspect of the show.

The entire show was high-energy and mindful of tone. The very beginning thrusted the audience into the chain gang camp in Toulon where Valjean and his fellow convicts were doing backbreaking labor and receiving no mercy from the imposing policemen behind them.

Throughout the show, St. Andrew's used projections on a screen to the right of, as well as above, the stage in order to tell the audience where the scene was taking place. Considering this was such a complicated show, this made it much easier to ascertain the location of the scene. Individual set pieces, such as two walls placed on turntables set in the floor, were versatile. It was clear from the very beginning that the company received all they could out of their set, despite it being a small space.

Perhaps most impressive in the whole show was the vocal strength of the entire cast. Particularly noteworthy was Valjean's range on "Bring Him Home", a heartfelt prayer for the safety of Marius (Gabriel Martinez), and "Fantine's Death", the song Fantine (Catherine Colbert) sings to her daughter. Cosette (Charlotte Lobring) was a musical tour-de-force; every note resonated and was full of emotion that added to the overall performance immensely. During the show's several ensemble numbers, distinct harmony came through loud and clear.

Frequently stealing the show (and audience members' hearts) was Gavroche (Ashley Antezana), a little boy simply doing his best to help with a revolution undertaken by university students led by Enjolras (Leah Facciobene). The Thénardier couple (Rhian Williams and Lara Alarapon) provided necessary comic relief between more intense scenes. In particular, their hilarious "Master of the House" was a welcome distraction from the anxiety the audience felt for Valjean as he was pursued by the menacing, unforgiving Javert (Jonas Blum).

The audience could not help but sympathize with and root for Eponine (Mareina Mitchell), a lovelorn young girl who longed for Marius, although he loved Cosette. Creative staging was employed to demonstrate this disconnect. During one song, when Cosette and Marius were singing together, Eponine had no choice but to watch them over a wall, expressing her sorrow over Marius and Cosette's song. She later lamented her situation in a moving rendition of "On My Own".

The costumes in particular were also of note. Careful thought and consideration were present in the depressed clothing of the poor, the splendor of the suits of the pompous rich, and everyone in between.

All told, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Les Misérables School Edition was a resourceful, poignant period piece that packed a punch. From beginning to end and from costumes to set to singing, every aspect of the show was emblematic of the talent, hard work, and dedication of everyone involved.

Alex Krasilovsky
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Montgomery County)

Another day, another destiny; let the blood of angry men and the dark of ages past fill each crevice of the room as the music swells and viewers are catapulted into the poverty-stricken streets of the French Revolution. As each song plays, heroes rise, law clashes with freedom, and love stories unfold. The emotion-filled score and stellar execution will both charm and devastate audience members in one of the most impactful shows in theatrical history.

St. Andrew's Episcopal School showcased many different talents in their production of "Les Misérables". This sung-through musical tells the story of an ex-convict and his grapple with faith, freedom, and justice. The musical follows along as Jean Valjean evades the law, adopts a child, and puts himself on the path to redemption as he joins the French Revolution. With a cast of deeply layered characters and beautifully touching moments around every corner, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

"Les Misérables", written by Victor Hugo, is an internationally acclaimed musical with productions dating back to 1985. It is based on the novel of the same name written in 1862. The show follows the development of the June Rebellion in Paris in 1832. With large success, "Les Misérables" holds 24 major awards and has been produced for Broadway, West End, national tours, concerts, and regional theaters.

With so many multidimensional characters to choose from, each student in the production took the formidable task head on. A top performer shone brightly in Charlotte Lobring in the role of Cosette, blending beautifully with every scene partner both through vocals and acting skills. Lara Alarapon was another crowd favorite, with the many comedic moments written for Madame Thénardier delivered with precision and charm. On the other side of the coin, Gabriel Martinez in the role of Marius delivered a heartbreaking solo performance of a lovesick soldier mourning the loss of the other revolutionaries. Not one actor on stage pulled the audience out of the moment, the Poor Ensemble being a strong point of reference for the desperation experienced by French citizens in the show's time period.

A consistent element of the show was the warm, impactful lighting designed by Christina Rowe, which punctuated each tragic moment with ambient subtlety. The special effects projections, meticulously crafted by Walker Borgmann, helped guide the audience through the many different scenes of the show without distracting from the plot. However, the most impressive technical student-led element lay with the 5-person band. The quintet played along with a sinfonia track and used their expertise in each instrument to raise the stakes of the show, all without being visible to the audience.

Experience a timeless tale of revolution as the gifted students of St. Andrew's delivered scenes of heartbreaking loss, daring stage combat, and eternal forms of love. The evident care poured into the show cast a spell over the audience, leaving each person breathless and waiting for the next moment. Underneath the many meticulous layers of this production, there was a message of unending hope, one that reminded us that "even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise."

Carl Parkin
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

Get ready to hear the people sing in St. Andrew's Episcopal School's new production of Les Misérables. Les Misérables, by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, is a classic piece of extravagant musical theater. Set during the Paris Rebellion of June 1832, Les Mis follows Jean Valjean (Ada Shin), a French ex-convict, as his path to redemption weaves together with the lives of revolutionaries and many other diverse characters. St. Andrew's executed Valjean's story with an exceptional degree of polish and character, truly bringing this tale of tragedy and triumph to life.

The most impressive element of the production was the clarity and cohesiveness of the show's various ensembles. At every moment, everyone on stage was wholly immersed in the world of 1830s Paris. Whether dramatically firing from the barricades, or raucously enjoying themselves in bawdy numbers like "Master of the House," the ensembles always shined.

The show's central characters, offering the emotional anchor in this world of high drama and passion, did an excellent job as well. The aforementioned Jean Valjean combined a great emotional range with excellent chemistry with their fellow actors, particularly Javert (Jonas Blum), their tense conflict providing an excellent through-line for the show.

In terms of vocals however, the two lovers of the piece are the absolute highlight. Cosette (Charlotte Lobring), Valjean's adopted daughter, checked all the boxes, with excellent vocal control, emotional range, and polished staging. Her counterpart in Marius (Gabriel Martinez), a student revolutionary, shared her talents, with a strong yet beautiful tenor voice. Together, the chemistry between the two was evident, with the beautiful "A Heart Full of Love" showcasing their excellent vocal blend. Also of note was the well-executed heartbreak of Eponine (Mareina Mitchell), whose secret love for Marius went unrequited.

Despite the intensity and dramatic quality of the production, the Le Mis cast was equally great at delivering moments of levity. Madame Thénardier (Lara Alarapon) in particular stood out due to exceptionally strong vocals and constantly engaging physicality, bringing life and laughter to the bawdy character. Gavroche (Ashley Antezana), a young boy fighting in the rebellion, was another stand-out performance with passion, energy, and on-point execution that rivaled many major characters.

Unique special effects, orchestrated by Walker Borgmann, and staging elements were also well-utilized in crafting the world of the Paris Rebellion. Two projectors, one slightly off stage and one in the background, were used to display the time period and help set the scene for the show, each helping to ground the audience in the proper setting and help viewers keep track of what could have been a chaotic script. The entirety of St. Andrews' small stage was used very well, with actors placed to create an effective balance and pleasing visual picture, while at the same time not distracting from the emotion of the show.

St. Andrews' production of Les Misérables was a heart-wrenching and inspiring immersion into the world of the Paris Rebellion, with ensembles and both comedic and central characters all coming together to paint a picture of laughter, tears, love, and redemption.