One day more

Coal City Musical Theater students to present “Les Misérables.”
By: 
Ann Gill
Editor

     Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, “Les Misérables,” and the musical that followed 118 years later is a story of love and compassion, redemption and forgiveness.
    Hugo’s story has captured the awe of millions of theater goers since the stage version opened more than 35 years ago. It’s an emotional tale of characters with dreams and desires, who love, hate and die for what they believe in.  
    One of the world’s longest running musicals, “Les Misérables,” is  set  against a backdrop of 19th Century France and the injustices of      a class-based structure and  impacts of the French Revolution.
    The story tells of Jean Valijean, inmate 24601, who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, and the people that shape his life upon release.
    A school version of the  Tony Award winning musical is coming to Coal City this weekend and tomorrow the community will discover what the cast and crew has in store for audiences when the show opens for a four- day, five-show run in the Coal City Performing Arts Center.
    The show is produced and directed by Jack Micetich and is comprised of an all student cast with performers ranging from sixth to 12th grade.
    The role of Valijean will be played by Coal City High School senior Jon Englert and taking the stage as his nemesis, Officer Javert, is fellow senior Nick Berta.
    The 50-member cast also features in leading roles Gavyn Williams, Marius; Sarah Moore, Cosette; Ava Houston, young Cosette; Lauren Phillips, Eponine; Gabby Cinotto, Fantine; Cody Rogers, Thenardier; Kaylee Groves, Madame Thenardier; Stephen Byers, Gavroche and Levi Counterman as Enjolras.
    Micetich and his creative team—vocals, costumes, sets, choreography, hair and makeup—began working on the production in November and the student cast started working on vocals a month later, with blocking and choreography taking place in the past few weeks.
    A 20-member orchestra directed by the school’s instrumental music director Cameron Kotovsky joined the show within the past week.
    A preview of the upcoming production proves the student performers are listening to their director who often tells them,  “you’re a high school program, but our goal is to leave audiences feeling as though they’ve just viewed a regional theater performance.”    The show is visually stunning from the 500-plus custom costume pieces put together by Danielle Porterfield, to the set designed and constructed by artistic director Celeste Sheridan  with assistance from stage manager Kaitlyn Thayer and  members of the cast.
    The students have spent hours working on vocals, blocking and choreography under the direction of Shanan D’Agostino and Kim Scerine, and overseeing it all is Micetich.
    The director is excited to bring “Les Misérables,” to  the stage and encourages the community to take a couple of hours this weekend to see the work of some of the school’s talented students.
    “I’m so incredibly proud of these students. They stepped up and put in the time and effort necessary for a production of this caliber. They have embraced the story, made it their own and I believe that is what audiences will take away from this show,” Micetich said.
    There is just “one more dawn, one more day,” to wait until the curtain goes up on Coal City Musical Theater Department’s production of “Les Misérables.”
    Shows are Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 10 at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 11 at 1 p.m.  Advanced reserved seat tickets—$8 adults, $5 students and seniors—can be purchased on-line at bit.ly/CCLesMis. Same day sales begin one hour prior to each show.
    Audience members are encouraged to arrive no later than 10 minutes prior to each performance.
    Coal City Performing Arts Center is located at Coal City High School, 655 W. Division St.