Waukee High School Presents: Les Miserable School Edition

**The Friday show (April 8th) is sold out. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Waukee High School’s production of Les Miserables School Edition will run April 7-9, 2016. Students will perform April 7 and 8 at 7:00 p.m. and April 9 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets and reserve seats in advance, visit Seat Yourself at http://waukeetheatrearts.seatyourself.biz. All tickets are ten dollars. The performances will be held in the Waukee High School Auditorium.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel Les Miserables comes the Waukee High School edition. The musical is Tony Award-winning and originally created by Alain Boublil and Claude­ Michel Schönberg. It follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex­-convict who attempts to pursue a better life. However, police officer Inspector Javert is determined to return Valjean back to prison. As the lives of several others intertwine into the story, Jean Valjean’s life begins to turn around as he agrees to take care of Cosette, the daughter of a poor factory worker, Fantine. The musical is an endless tale of social justice and the importance of love and compassion.

This show is also the first to include elementary students in the roles of Young Cosette, Young Eponine and Gavroche. “The students we’ve selected have brought an innocence and energy to the rehearsal process that reminds all of us of the magic of theatre. To be that poised on a big stage at such a young age? Purely wonderful,” Director Chelsea Haaland said.

Tatum Lowell, fifth grade Brookview student and one of two Young Cosette’s said, “They are all so much bigger! It makes it fun to work and learn from everyone.” Lowell wants to be an actress when she’s older. Her favorite song to perform is the end number because “everyone is in it and it’s cool to see all the characters at once.”

Cosette actress and Waukee High School senior Maddy Wiegers said she loves working with the younger students. “We’re on the home stretch now of a great production. The kids are so energetic and they really keep us going,” she said.

Senior and Jean Valjean actor Adrian Horras said the cast has been practicing every night and over spring break.”I just hope that when I get on stage, I can make the audience feel what I feel,” he said.

The work that takes place backstage is just as inspiring as the musical itself. The large hands-­on crew, comprised of stage managers; teams of hair and make­up designers; costumes; set, lighting and sound crew and more are working around the clock to make it a night to remember.

Les Miserables School Edition is directed by Mrs. Chelsea Haaland. Music direction is by Ms. Kathryn Mosiman, choreography by Mr. David Decker, technical direction by Mr. Clayton Daggett and pit direction by Mr. Joshua Deutmeyer.

View the entire cast and production team list here.