Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical and a true modern classic. Based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time, it’s as groundbreaking today as it was when it first premiered in London in 1985. And that’s what makes it the perfect choice to kick off Cardinal Music Productions 2018 fall production schedule.
A School Edition of the popular musical opens on September 21 and runs for two weeks.
As one of his all-time favourite musicals, producer and director Joseph Anthony Cardinal selected the show as part of the season based on the passion he felt when he performed the lead role in 2013 for Theatre Alive’s final show.
“I was fortunate enough to play Jean Valjean myself and I wanted to give the youth in our area a chance to experience what I did,” Cardinal told 519 Magazine. “I chose Les Mis because I love the show and I adore the magical moments the songs produce on the stage.”
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways.
Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter.
The Cardinal production features a 35-member youth cast who will run through the slightly abridged school version of the show. It still has a total runtime of more than two hours and maintains all the songs and essential scenes. Many of the cut scenes in this version were actually removed from the first Broadway show and haven’t been used in London or
Broadway since 1997.
Featuring beloved songs like I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, and One Day More, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history and has been seen by more than 70 million people in 22 different languages across 44 countries.
Les Misérables runs September 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 in The Green Room Theatre at E.J. Lajeunesse in Windsor. Tickets start at $22.50 at cardinalmusicproductions.com.
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