Cappies Review: 'Les Misérables' At St. Andrew's Episcopal School

By Alex Krasilovsky of Rock Ridge High School

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."