Photo Flash: Meet the Stars of Media Theatre's LES MISERABLES, Opening Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 19, 2014
The Media Theatre has Delaware County's first professional production of the legendary Broadway musical "Les Miserables" tonight, November 19-January 11. The show, directed by Jesse Cline, is not a touring production but is designed specifically for The Media Theatre stage by Media Music Theatre Company. This is the Philadelphia/ Wilmington region's only professional production of "Les Miserables" while the revival is currently playing on Broadway. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars!
The Tony winning show is based on Victor Hugo's novel focusing on Jean Valjean, the French peasant who steals a loaf of bread and spends almost two decades in prison. He is tracked down obsessively by police inspector Javert after he breaks his parole. There is one iconic anthem after another in the Claude-Michel Schonberg score with lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.
While set during the French revolution, the musical reaches beyond the narrative of its story into the hearts of theatre-goers with songs like "I Dreamed A Dream", "Castle On A Cloud", and "On My Own" as well as the ensemble's driving chorus "Do You Hear The People Sing?"
"Les Miserables" has been translated into 22 different languages and played in 42 countries and over 320 cities with a total of almost 50,000 professional performances around the globe. It's been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide and has won over 100 major theatre awards including a Tony and a Grammy.
The cast at The Media Theatre is made up of members of the Actors Equity Association union of professional actors which is based in NYC. Cast members from the Philadelphia region and NYC portray the roles in the show. Chris Ertelt music directs, with a set design by Matthew Miller and costumes by Xiachen Zhou.
John D. Smitherman portrays Jean Valjean. Seen recently at the Broadway Theatre in Pitman, NJ, as Emile De Becque in "South Pacific", he has performed over 100 roles on professional opera and musical theatre stages including title roles in "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Phantom". He was previously seen at The Media in "Spring Awakening" and the 2014 fundraising concert "What We Do" appearing with Tony nominated actress Christine Andreas. He is the Artistic Director of Pitman's Broadway Theatre.
James Zannelli is Javert. He's been in several productions of "Les Miserables", portraying several roles. A veteran of National Tours and many regional theatres, he's also been in productions of "Chess" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" and was seen at The Media previously in "Titanic" and "Peter Pan".
For tickets or information, call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. The show schedule is online. All evening performances begin at 7pm. Group rates are available as well as VIP seating. "Les Miserables" is sponsored by PECO.
John D. Smitherman as Jean Valjean
James Zannelli as Javert with Smitherman as Valjean
James Zannelli as Javert
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