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.


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.