My First Theatrical Review: Les Misérables
In a nod to our Glamour/Society rating, I’d like to give a plug to Virginia Samford Theatre’s production of the School Edition of Les Misérables. The School Edition designation means that all the actors must be under the age of 19 and enrolled in high school, middle school, or elementary school. No professionals allowed, only amateurs. And what an amazing group of amateurs!
Tucker Hammock, a junior at Russellville High School, has the vocal range and physical presence to play Jean Valjean on any stage. Jeff Hawkins’ Javert was powerful and affecting. Kimberly Piazza made a beautiful Cosette, and her voice is nothing short of luminous. Caroline Page, who is the same age as my high school freshman daughter, brought éponine to life.
I could go on and on. Dany Egli and Daniel Jackson as Marius and Enjolras, eighth grader Malcolm McRae as Gavroche, Nicholas Burroughs and Ashley Baldwin in a hilarious turn as the Thenardiers, Meredith Hastings as Fantine — all of them were marvelous. The ensemble players showed their acting talent over and over, moving effortlessly from prison guards to factory workers to ladies of the evening to townspeople to thieves to revolutionaries, and making us believe every transition.
If you’ve seen a Broadway production of Les Mis, you know how elaborate the staging is. It is an epic story, covering decades and including a student revolution. There’s no turntable on this relatively small stage, but everything works, including the barricade.
There are a few sound problems. Thenardier was barely audible at times, and Mme. Thenardier consistently overwhelmed him when they sang together. At several points, the instrumental accompinament was too loud to balance the soloists. Overall, though, they don’t detract much from the general excellence of the production.
I won’t be a bit surprised if some of these kids make it to Broadway in a few years. Don’t miss your opportunity to see them now without the necessity of traveling to New York.
Click here for show times and ticket information. Alec Harvey’s Birmingham News review is here.