ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Chronicle • Nov. 22, 2016
ALL PHOTOS BY PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE
I DREAMED A DREAM: (Top Left): Jack Nordstrom ’19, right, as Marius and Maya Hinkin ’18, left, as Cosette comfort Henry Platt ’17, middle, as he is dying. (Top Right):
Elizabeth Gaba ’17 sings as Eponine. (Middle Right): Natalie Musicant ’17 and Casey Giolito ’17 as the Thernardiers try to con Valjean of his money. (Bottom Left): Two prostitutes, played by Avery Keare ’19, left, and Caroline Cook ’19, right, talk to Fantine, played by Natalie Kroh ’18, middle. (Bottom Right): Ben Pimstone ’18 as Javert infiltrates the protest.
Vive la Révolution! By JOSIE ABUGOV
ning of October. Early rehearsals were typically three days a After almost two months of week for three hours, though preparation, the Upper School leading up to performances, Performing Arts Department they practiced daily for five showcased four performances hours. The pit orchestra includes of Les Miserables on Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The cast of 44 told a both students and professionstory of interconnected char- al musicians. “Playing with professionals, acters in 19th century France, following the life and strug- I think I got better as a musician because they gles of ex-convict Jean know a lot on the Valjean, played by Henry topic, so there’s a Platt ’17. lot of firsthand ex“Kids who are not perience as to how used to being in shows, to play,” Calvin when they have an audiKaleel ’18 said. ence in front of them and Unlike last they realize they’re playyear’s fall musiing a story and they have cal, West Side Stoto be great storytellers, ’ ry, and previous something magical hapTed Walch Harvard-Westlake pens,” performing arts musical producteacher Ted Walch said. Walch and performing arts tions, Les Miserables is entireteacher Michele Spears co-di- ly sung. “Usually I will do more rected the production. Walch said Spears, who specializes work on the scenes that are in musical theatre, was the spoken, but in Les Miserables, lead director. Walch focused there are no spoken scenes, so on aiding the students in their [Spears and I], unlike most reacting during the rehearsal hearsals for musicals, were in the room together almost all process. Orchestra began rehears- the time,” Walch said. Cast members also said als for the show at the beginNATHANSON S
Actors, orchestra members and teachers reflected on their experiences performing a show taking place in 19th century France with no spoken lines. Students performed the fall musical Les Misérables Nov. 3-6.
they noticed changes in the rehearsal process, attributed to the absence of spoken scenes in the show. “Until a few weeks ago, our rehearsals were exclusively singing,” Maya Hinkin ’18 said. “It definitely felt very different from other shows I’ve been in.” In Les Miserables, Hinkin played Cosette, a teenage girl taken in by protagonist Jean Valjean, after her mother Fantine, played by Natalie Kroh ’18, died of an illness. Cosette falls in love with student and young revolutionary Marius, played by Jack Nordstrom ’19. The actors said that despite the historical setting and plot of Les Miserables, they felt a connection to the characters they were playing. “I think that Cosette is very often portrayed as not having real problems because she is a 16-year-old who finds love at first sight,” Hinkin said. “But, I think she actually has a lot more going on than what meets the eye and you really see her start to come out of her shell and grow up, which is definitely very relatable to
said. “This could very well be my life.” Elizabeth Gaba ’17, who my last show ever, which is has participated in musical very sad since it’s been such theatre throughout her time a huge part of my life. I’m at the school, said that relat- very happy that I got to play ing to her character has made [Eponine] for my last show.” Hinkin said one of the best this production especially rewarding. Gaba plays Eponine, parts about Les Miserables is who has an unrequited love for the importance of the entire Marius and is the daughter of cast. “This show doesn’t have petty thieves Madame Thenaran ensemble that’s dier, played just in the backby Natalie Musicant Even if someone’s ground,” Hinkin said. “Every sin’17, and super into it and you gle person is so Monsieur don’t talk to then, it’s relevant to every Thenardier, scene.” played by like everyone knows The production Casey Giohow everyone feels. was a very special lito ’17. bonding experi“I am in We’re all like one unit.” ence, Nordstrom love with —Jack Nordstrom ’19 said. He said the this role backstage environand it’s my favorite role I’ve ever played,” ment during a show could be Gaba said. “I connect to her described as both exciting and very strongly and I love her a emotional. “You kind of see people’s lot.” Unsure if she will contin- looks and just get it,” Nordue performing during college, strom said. “Even if someone’s Gaba said she reminisces on super into it and you don’t the impact musical theatre talk to them, it’s like everyhas had on her life during her one knows how everyone feels. We’re all like one unit. Everytime at Harvard-Westlake. “It’s very bittersweet,” Gaba one’s in sync with each other.”
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