Les Misérables (Del Oro High School)

By Letha Dawson

Les Misérables, a cultural phenomenon, has been exciting and thrilling audiences since 1980 when Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg adapted Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables, for the stage in France. In 1985 the English language version of “Les Mis” opened in London, and since then more than 500 million theater-goes have thrilled to the music and spectacle of courageous men, women, and children rising up in revolution, standing tall in conviction to bring an end to their oppression. May 3, 2014, at Del Oro High School, les misérables sang again of their misery and determination to change the world. Under the baton of Margie Hartung, the Placer County Youth Orchestra played superbly. Les Mis was brought to life under the direction of "Sir" Jeffery Johnson and Shere Freedman. Authentic costume creations by Gina Musilli and Noelle Young transported the audience to France. And Shere Freedmen, wearing a second directorial hat, guided and brought the voices of the students to heights even they didn’t know they could reach. Therefore, Les Mis thrilled another several hundred people. It’s no easy task to bring a musical of this size and complication to the stage, but the artistic directors at Del Oro accomplished the feat with flying colors.

Each of the thirty-nine actors, singers, and dancers, and all ten of the junior cast carried us away to the streets, brothels, and drinking houses of France in the 1800’s with sincerity and heart, singing their parts well and genuinely looking like prisoners, prostitutes, and street urchins. The choreography, lighting, and music from the talented orchestra members, particularly Keegan McLean’s trumpet, Breanna Daley’s flute, and the ethereal string section, all came together to create a nimble, yet intense musical experience.

Seth Beam as Valjean sang and moved with emotion. He adapted to each role, whether the prisoner, the mayor, or the father with power and kindness. Mason Beseler looked and sang the part of of Javert. David Reyes, with his smooth voice, certainly fit the role of Marius, the young man in love. Hannah Massagli brought spunk with jabbing elbows and personality to the role of Madam Thenardier. Keirsten Hammond, Alec Irwin, Camerion Riggs, and Amberley Sewell, as well as all the other vocalists, sang the complex score with skill.

Special mention is demanded for the mobs. The choruses of singers were outstanding in their crowd movement, their cohesion, and their sound. The Company chanting the prologue, the unemployed, children and factory workers singing “At the End of the Day” and “Look Down” and “Little People” and “One Day More” -- these numbers were fantastic. The costumes again set the mood. The choreography of the group as a whole moved and surged. The stand-out came in the character of Gavroche, sung by Ethan Freedman. This child was the very bright star in this production. Ethan Freedman, a half-pint urchin, marched out on stage, and punched every line, swinging his arms, stamping his feet, and holding his ground as he sang like the tough little man the streets had made him. The audience loved him, shouting their delight every time he appeared. Hopefully, audiences will be seeing a lot more of this talented boy, for he’s only in first grade at Live Oak Waldorf School.

All in all, a standing ovation for the cast, Placer County Youth Orchestra, and all the artistic and production staff for bringing theatre lovers a great production of Les Mis.

Review of the May 3, 2014 performance at Del Oro High School.

The Music Man

After looking forward to the El Dorado Musical Theatre’s production of The Music Man for months, I saw the show last Saturday afternoon – the first performance after opening night – and I wasn’t disappointed. As is typical with everything EDMT does, what I saw was brilliantly and professionally executed. In fact, this show was dazzling from the moment the curtain opened. A steam engine that appeared to be 12 or 15 feet high looked like it could run right into the audience. But then it turned and opened to reveal a passenger car full of travelling salesmen in the song called “Rock Island,” which imitates the sounds of a train. (You remember “what d’ya talk” and “but you gotta know the territory,” don’t you?) This was just the first of many spectacular sets. With their help and the always period-perfect costuming, it didn’t take a lot of imagination to believe that the year was 1912 and that you were in River City, Iowa.

There are two casts in this show (I saw the River Cast), and I hesitate to comment on one set of actors, because I’m sure that both casts are equally outstanding. But I have to say that Andrew Wilson (Prof. Harold Hill in both casts) captured the jaunty self-confidence of that now-beloved con man with his typically excellent singing and acting. Opposite Andrew was Julia Adams as the winsome librarian and piano teacher, Marian Paroo. She won my heart, as much as she won Harold Hill’s. But as excellent an actress and singer as is Julia, and as charming a couple she made with Andrew, I’m sure Olivia Kaufmann – the other Marian – with her outstanding voice and acting would be just as appealing.

I’m especially sorry to have missed Olivia because, for her and Julia, and several other EDMT performers, this will be their last show. Having seen them sing and dance over several years, they have become my favorites, and I am sad to see them age out, go off to college – or embark on a professional career. If it makes me sad, I can only imagine how everyone at EDMT feels. But this happens every spring. And even as I was thinking about the young performers I would miss, I noticed – for the first time – even younger ones who seemed to have the spark of natural entertainers, and now I’m anxious to monitor their progress in future productions.

The Music Man is such a timeless and beloved part of American musical theatre. There are so many wonderful songs and such a clever, engaging and ultimately satisfying plot. I remember so many details from the movie version, and the EDMT production was true to all the best that I remembered. But then there was the choreography. Could the movie that I think I remember so well have had such intricate, precise, energetic, creative, and ultimately exhilarating dancing? It couldn’t possibly have. The numerous dance routines in this show – and their brilliant execution – showed once again why El Dorado Musical Theatre offers some of the best entertainment in the Sacramento region – with consistently professional standards.

Do yourself a favor, and see this show before its short run ends. It is a faithful presentation of an American classic, and it has all the charm of the show you remember. And if you’ve never seen it, how I envy the delight you will experience in seeing The Music Man for the first time.

Little Women

By Letha Dawson

William Jessup University, in its first theatrical production, brought Little Women, the musical, to life with verve and spunk, to the delight of a packed audience Sunday afternoon. Little Women, a story of four girls on the verge of womanhood, book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, brims with strong vocalists – vocalists an audience can love. Musical Director, Amy Malekos selected singers whose voices were perfect for their parts, dressed in period costumes from the 1860’s. Directed and choreographed by Derek Martin, Little Women moved along at a trot as excited sisters and young men are thrilled to do.

Singing over recorded music supplied by Music Theatre International, every vocalist delivered an outstanding performance. Each voice was right for his or her character’s part. William Jessup University has an outstanding group of talented students this year. Kayla Krogh, as Jo, the older sister, is a stand-alone star. Her clear voice, exactly enunciated words, and facial expressions revealing every emotion a New England girl feels when she yearns for New York and publishers who will applaud her writing, is completely convincing in the role of Jo. Amanda Duisenberg, playing Meg, brings absolute beauty to the music, and a sweetness of character that comes from within. Pulling from the professional music world, Amy Malekos brought in Tamra Rogers to sing Marmee’s part and Elizabeth Stanley, Aunt March. What great vocalists they are. Tamra Rogers with sweet sensitivity and a voice of satin, brings forth the motherly love of her character; while Elizabeth Stanley, in a strong alto, communicates the no-nonsense authority of the elder aunt. Kelly Dunn, another excellent vocalist, dances and tumbles and leaps, and still sings with energy to spare. Brett Patterson, playing Laurie, the neighbor’s son, with his wonderful, strong tenor voice, acted his part as determined boyfriend with humor and lightness. All the singers were delightful to listen to, are extremely talented and were convincing in their roles: Allison Coupe, as Beth; Lexi Ivey, as Mrs. Kirk; Robi Quick, as Professor Bhaer; and Ken Duisenberg, Mr. Laurence. Well done, William Jessup University Creative Arts Department! Theatre audiences will be looking forward to more great theatre.

Review of the 4-27-14 performance of Little Women at William Jessup University.