Les Misérables at El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater

As the grand finale of its 14th year in regional theater, Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC) will stage the epic musical, Les Miserables. The show opens Friday, July 19, at the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater. Its run consists of two 2:00 p.m. matinees (7/21, 7/28) and four 7:00 p.m. performances (7/19, 7/20, 7/26, 7/27).

Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, Les Miserables is a moving portrayal of social injustice in 19th-century France. The story centers on Jean Valjean, a prisoner who breaks his parole to start a new life. His impassioned struggle for freedom and redemption involves a host of memorable characters who support him or pose a threat. Les Miserables premiered in London in 1985 and has run there continuously since then. It remains the worlds longest running musical.

"Les Miserables is an especially exciting production for us," says Director Jennifer Boesing. "Many of our alumni are returning to perform in the cast or work alongside the directors and the design team. At YMTC, we offer an exceptional learning environment in which older students--often ones who've grown up in our company--come back to mentor younger ones. Les Miserables is a fabulous ensemble show for this kind of cast. It weaves together more than a hundred characters over a span of nearly twenty years. It will be spectacular!"

Music Director David Moeschler adds, "As an epic musical, Les Miserables ranks among those at the top, largely because of its score. Completely sung-through, the entire story is revealed through complex recitative solos, duets, trios, and large ensemble numbers. Many scholars label Les Miserables as a pop-operetta or mega-musical. A production this large requires a strong orchestral component, so I'm thrilled to be conducting a live 30-piece orchestra. It includes nine high school and college students in our advanced Pit Orchestra Apprenticeship Program being mentored alongside local professionals. Les Miserables is shaping up to be one of our best productions yet!"

Les Miserables features a cast of 40 performing arts students (ages 13 to 24) from cities throughout the Bay Area. They are led by a team of professional directors, designers, and musicians, including Director Boesing, Music Director Moeschler, and Choreographer Pam Crane.Tickets are available online at https://www.ymtcbayarea.org beginning June 1, 2019 or at the door one hour before curtain.

Ticket prices are $16 to $32, with discounts for students, seniors, military, teachers, and groups. YMTC offers one pay-what-you-will performance to provide affordable musical theater to everyone in the Bay Area community. This performance will be on Friday, 7/26, at 7:00 p.m., when seats will be offered for cash-only at the box office. Reserved seats can still be purchased online.