White Plains Performing Arts Center’s production of Les Misérables opened this weekend. Despite the snow storm on Saturday night, there were over 300 people in the house, all happy they braved the elements, with one audience member saying: “After all, what’s a little snow when there’s a revolution to be won?”
Already being touted as one of WPPAC’s best-attended and most inspiring shows, Les Misérables is a musical written by Alain Boublill and Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. It is based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo and directed at WPPAC by Jeremy Quinn (WPPAC Producing Artistic Director).
Musical staging is by Lexie Fennell Frare and musical direction by Stephen Ferri, featuring a live 14-piece orchestra.
The score includes such classic songs as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?” “Master of the House” and many more.
The story, which is historically based, is epic and uplifting, about redemption and survival of the human spirit. Based in post-revolutionary war France, the main theme is the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean who becomes a force for good in the world but cannot escape his criminal past. Many sub plots twist and turn bringing the characters together, beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris.
Joining the cast at WPPAC are John Anthony Lopez (WPPAC’s Cats and Lend Me A Tenor) as “Jean Valjean;” Joseph C. Bellino as “Javert;” Niki Sawyer as “Fantine” and Triona O’Callaghan as “Eponine” with Mike Longo (Marius), Bonnie Antosh (Cosette), Kyle Pressley (Enjolras) and Joe York and Cassie Hohn (M. and Mme. Thénardier). Isabella Moitoso, Zaida Rio Polanco and Kya Ashleigh Stein, will share the roles of “Young Cosette” and “Young Eponine”; and Isaiah Negron, Matthew Quirk and Maddox Skigen, will share the role of “Gavroche.”
The multi-charactered ensemble includes Chelsey Lynn Alfredo, Brittany Bara, Mario Castro, Colin Earyes, Ayelet Firstenberg, Mike Fries, Garrit Guadan, Andrew Hendrick, John Hollingsworth, Brent McGee, Dan Pivovar, Steven Rich, Kayleen Seidl, Tiffany Stoker, Gregory Sullivan, Shaina Vencel, and Nathan Winkelstein.
Les Misérables will play at the White Plains Performing Arts Center December 19 to 22 (Thursday at 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.) and December 28 to 31 (Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.; Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m.). Tickets: $50 adults; $30 high school and younger. New Year’s Eve tickets are $85 adults; $70 high school and younger and include a post-show reception.