Do You Hear the Students Sing?
The French Revolution will come to life in vivid detail and song as Toledo School for the Arts presents the much-loved musical Les Misérables: School Edition for four performances from Thursday, October 17 through Sunday, October 20 at Owens Community College.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name, Les Misérables follows the story of recently released convict, Jean Valjean, as he discovers that his freedom is tainted by mistrust and abuse. He breaks his parole and is pursued by the persistent Inspector Javert who refuses to believe that a convict could change for the good. Jean Valjean assumes a false identity to raise his adopted daughter, Cosette, but the Paris Student Uprising (1832) forces both he and Javert into direct confrontation. Each must acknowledge the truth of their pasts and learn to accept the change that time brings…or not.
The production is directed by TSA faculty, led by Amelia Lefevre. The cast members are all students from Toledo School for the Arts featuring Trevor Gill-Snow (Whitehouse) as Jean Valjean, Reuben Hagedorn (Oregon) as Javert, Olivia Gierke (Oregon) as Fantine, Max Gierke (Oregon) as Marius, and Casey Merren (Oregon) as Eponine.
TSA productions are noteworthy for the quality of student performances, where students craft their skills daily. “The level of performance is surprisingly good”, explains Artistic Director David Saygers. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember these are high school students, juggling homework and shows. Many of the performers are veteran actors, and bring a great deal of confidence and poise to their roles.”
Performances begin at 7:00pm on Thursday, October 17, Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19 as well as at 2:30 on Sunday, October 20 at the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts (30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551). Tickets are $22, $16, or $10. To order your tickets contact the TSA Box Office at 419-246-8732 x226, or visit ts4arts.org.
LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and is performed entirely by students.
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Les Misérables: School Edition
Performed entirely by students
Thu – Sat, October 17-19
7:00pm
Sunday, October 20
2:30pm
OCC Center for Fine and Performing Arts
$22, 16, 10
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHӦNBERG
Based on the novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHӦNBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional Material by JAMES FENTON
Adapted by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD
Original Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
New Orchestrations by CHRISTOPHER JAHNKE, STEPHEN METCALFE and STEPHEN BOOKER
Originally Produced by CAMERON MACKINTOSH
School Edition specially adapted and licensed by
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH (OVERSEAS) LTD
In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but discovers his freedom is marred by mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter.
Cast
Trevor Gill-Snow (Jean Valjean) is a junior at TSA and this will be his fourth production with the school. Some of his favorite roles include Frank Jr in Catch Me If You Can, Laurie in Little Women, and Cain from Children of Eden. He aspires to be on Broadway one day, and hopes you enjoy TSA’s production of the classic, Les Mis!
Brooke Seddon (Young Cosette) is ecstatic to be appearing in her first TSA High School Musical! Her favorite credits include A Christmas Carol (Belinda Cratchit) and Schoolhouse Rock Jr. (Shulie) with Toledo Repertoire Theatre, as well as Carmen (Children’s Chorus) with Toledo Opera. She is a 7th grader at TSA focusing on musical theater. She also enjoys playing ukulele and all things artsy!
Casey Merren (Eponine) Casey Merren is a senior. She studies musical theatre and sings in the advanced pop combo band. Some of Casey’s favorite roles include Brenda in Catch Me if You Can, Heather Duke in Heathers, and Norma in the All Ohio’s production of Carrie. Casey would like to thank her family and friends for the endless support. Also, the whole company of Les Miserablés for making her last fall musical one she’ll never forget. Enjoy the show!
Eve Jackson (Young Eponine)
Gabe Omlor (Enjolras) Gabriel is honored to be playing Enjolras, and to participate in Les Miserables. He’s been fortunate enough to have participated in many productions over the last nine years, and hopes to be a part of more to come. Gabriel is a sophomore and majors in theater, also focusing on dance. As always, special thanks to Mrs. Lefevre, Mrs. Quinlan and Mrs. Reny for everything!!
Jon Foster (Claquesous/Co-Choreographer) is delighted to be in his fourth musical with TSA. He performed in Radium Girls (Tom Kreider) and Catch Me If You Can (Agent Brandon). Jon is a senior at TSA and majoring in dance. Currently Jon is training at The Toledo Ballet.
Lydia Babcock (Cosette) is overjoyed to be performing in her fifth and final fall musical with Toledo School for the Arts. Some of her favorite credits include Little Women (Beth March), Twelfth Night (Valentine, u/s Viola), and Radium Girls (Grace Fryer). Lydia is in her senior year at TSA, majoring in theatre, and has also received additional training from the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in Staunton, Virginia. She would like to thank all of her family, friends, teachers and directors for all of their love and support in her life at TSA.
Max Gierke (Marius) Max Gierke is a sophomore at Toledo School for the Arts and is excited to be performing his dream role, Marius! He has also performed as Frank Sr. in Catch Me if You Can, Viola 2 in Twelfth Night, and most notably Shipoopi Guy in The Music Man. He dedicates this performance and this bio to himself, the only one left he can trust.
Olivia Blankenship (Co-Choreographer) is thrilled to participate in her fifth musical with TSA. While performing in Catch Me If You Can, The Music Man, and Sweeney Todd, she has also choreographed Elf Jr. at TSA. Olivia is a senior majoring in dance and plans to go to college for dance education.
Olivia Gierke (Fantine) is a senior this year. She has been performing in TSA shows since 6th grade, and is so excited to be performing in her last fall musical. Some of her favorite roles include Katherine Plumber in Newsies, Heather Chandler in Heathers, and Lindy in Catch Me If You Can. Olivia would like to thank her family and friends for always being so supportive throughout her time at TSA.
Reuben Hagedorn (Javert) studies theatre and jazz vocals at Toledo School for the Arts. His favorite roles are the barbershop quartet with his three brothers in The Music Man, Carl Hanratty in Catch Me If You Can, and Edward Bloom in Big Fish. Reuben also has done many shows at the Croswell, including the highest selling show in their 152 year history, Mamma Mia! He’s thankful to Jesus and his mom for the wonderful opportunities he’s been given that have helped him to become the performer he is today.
Ryan Kruse (Thenardier) Ryan is a senior at Toledo School for the Arts. Les Mis is his third and final TSA show, but is by far his favorite. Ryan has been in 25 productions. Some of his favorite credits include Tarzan, Anything Goes, Little Women, and Once Upon a Mattress. Ryan is thrilled to have worked with such an amazing cast and will never forget this experience.
Veda Johnson (Madame Thenardier) is a senior and a choir major at Toledo School for the Arts. She is excited to be in her fourth show with TSA. Favorite credits include Little Women (Aunt March), Catch Me If You Can (Carol Strong), The Music Man (Pick-a-little Lady) all with TSA. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting everything she loves to do, and Mrs. Lefevre for being a wonderful director and for all the time she puts into the musical.
This event is sponsored by:
