Thursday, February 6, 2014 Page B1
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Photos by Marisol Díaz
YOUNG FRENCH REVOLUTIONARIES gather at the gate during a Jan. 30 rehearsal of the Riverdale Children’s Theatre production of ‘Les Misérables School Edition.’
Kids bring ‘Les Mis’ to life on Lehman stage By Maya Rajamani
ies student Benjamin Markbreiter was also inspired by the cinematic version of Les Misérables, citing Sacha Baron Cohen’s comically dark portrayal of duplicitous innkeeper M. Thenardier as the part that drew him to the musical. “It’s kind of my dream part,” said 15-year-old Benjamin, who played the titular role in RCT’s production of Shrek Jr. last spring. “It’s really the only comedic role in the show so it’s fun to be the contrast.” It is fortuitous timing for cast members, who may not have the opportunity to star in the show for a while after March. While the musical is on Broadway, local groups will be unable to obtain the rights to perform the show. Artistic director Becky Woods was glad to be able to stage the production before the Broadway regulations hit. “It’s been one of my favorite shows forever,” said Ms. Woods, whose sixth-grade son Kevin is in the ensemble cast.
mrajamani@riverdalepress.com
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hristina Jiminez describes the musical Les Misérables as her “favorite show in the whole world.” The 13-year-old student at St. Benedict’s School in Throgs Neck has read the 1,500-page, 19th-century Victor Hugo novel on which the musical is based and has seen a production of the show in Washington D.C. She often wears a grey and black shirt with the numbers 24601 emblazoned across the front – the prison numbers of Les Misérables Where character to see it main Jean Valjean. Now, ChrisRCT will perform tina is preparing Les Misérables to take her adoration of the story a on Feb. 6, Feb. step further. Be8 and Feb. 9 at Lehman College’s ginning Feb. 6, Lovinger Theater. she will perform in the ensemble Tickets are on cast of the Riversale for $15 at dale Children’s www.riverdale Theater (RCT) theater.org and rendition of Les Misérables at $16 at the door. Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre. “It was sort of like a dream come true because I’ve just wanted to be part of the show for so long,” she said at a recent rehearsal at Lehman College. As an ensemble cast member, Christina will play a boy in the barricades, a factory girl and a “lovely lady” in the French Revolution era show centered on Valjean, a former convict who turns his life around thanks to a priest’s forgiveness and generosity, but is hunted by his prison guard Javert after breaking his parole. The novel was a commercial success after its publication in 1862. Its story served as the basis
Demanding roles for kids
JONATHAN HARRIS AND TRAVIS HARLEY, 15, during the Riverdale Children’s Theatre rehearsal of ‘Les Misérables School Edition’ at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College on Jan. 30. for the fifth longest-running Broadway show in history, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
Renewed popularity Les Misérables has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the 2012 movie version of the show starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, which won Best Picture at the Golden Globes in the “musical or comedy” category and garnered a “Best Supporting Actress” win at the Oscars for Hathaway, who played the tragic Fantine character.
It took in nearly $500 million at the box office and has led to a revival of the show on Broadway, set to open on March 1. Ms. Hathaway’s character, a woman whose dire circumstances force her into prostitution, dies early on in the show, leaving behind an orphan, Cosette, who is adopted by Valjean. Prison guard Javert discovers Valjean’s new identity as mayor and Valjean is forced to flee with Cosette. As a young adult, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a revolutionary, and Valjean is drawn into the struggle between social classes and back into Javert’s chase. Though some of the perform-
ers, like Christina, are long-time Les Misérables fans, many had their first encounter with the story in the Hollywood version. Olivia Schneider, 15, plays the role of Cosette, whose unrequited love for Marius leads her to fight in the Revolution. She said the movie inspired her to audition for the part. “I absolutely loved it. It was very controversial but I found it so interesting,” Olivia said of the 2012 movie, which some reviewers criticized for director Tom Ford’s close-up shots and film technique.
Inspired by the movie High School of American Stud-
For Ms. Woods and her husband Derek, one of the challenges has been carrying out a production with such demanding roles in a children’s theater. “We were like, ‘Are we ready for it?’ It’s such a big show,” said Ms. Woods. But her cast of 47 students has taken to the roles with enthusiasm. And to lessen the load, the Woods have brought in a professional actor, Jonathan Harris, to play the role of Valjean and serve as a mentor for the younger actors. Mr. Harris previously acted as Captain Hook in RCT’s production of Peter Pan. Ms. Woods has also worked to ensure the students understand the adult subject matter addressed in the show, including prostitution and violence. (Continued on page B4)
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