Steven Tomkins to Direct LES MISERABLES at Village Theatre

Village Theatre's Artistic Director Steve Tomkins 'dreamed a dream' many years ago when he first saw actor Greg Stone perform in LES MISERABLES. After directing Stone in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993 Tomkins wondered, "Could I put together my 'dream cast,' that included Stone, and present this monstrous legendary mega-hit musical LES MISERABLES at Village Theatre?" Scheduling conflicts, rights issues and budget constraints stood in his way, but much like the character Jean Valjean, Tomkins persisted. Over a decade later the stage production rights became available for a short window of time (that window closes when the Broadway revival of LES MISERABLES opens in March of 2014) and Tomkins got to work putting the many pieces together for a Village Theatre production.

This holiday season Steve Tomkins will see his own dream realized as he directs his 30-person 'dream cast' in an extended 9-week Village Theatre run of LES MISERABLES. After leaving Issaquah, LES MISERABLES will open on January 10, 2014 in Everett, WA.

The full production will run three hours and includes over 200 costume changes and a dramatic rotating set custom built by local craftsmen for Village Theatre's stage. The 14-piece orchestra will work from the revised orchestration used in the UK Tour and the recent 25th anniversary production. The complete score includes favorites, I Dreamed a Dream, Who am I? One Day More, On My Own, Master of the House, and the triumphant Do You Hear the People Sing? Audiences will be completely immersed in the sounds and streets of Paris as revolution and love play out their battles.

The creative team and cast includes: Greg Stone (B'way LES MISERABLES; Village, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Jean Valjean, Beth DeVries as Fantine; Eric Polani Jensen as Javert; Alexandra Zorn as Cosette; Nick DeSantis as Thenardier; Kate Jaeger as Madame Thenardier; Kirsten Delohr Helland as Eponine; Matthew Kacergis as Marius; Kyle Anderson as Lesgles; Ethan Carpenter as Combeferre; Steve Czarnecki as Enjolras; Jadd Davis as Feuilly; John Dewar as the Bishop; David Ibarra as Jean Prouvaire; Jonathan P Lee as Brujon; Jon Lutyens as Grantaire; Randy Scholz as Joly; Justin Thornton as Montparnasse and Matt Wade as Courfeyrac.

Ensemble performers are: Natalie Colvin, Mary Jo Dugaw, Heather McQuarrie, Gina Russell, Adam Somers, Jessica Spencer, Allison Standley and Rachel Wilkie. Chauncey Trask is the understudy for Cosette and the swing ensemble performers are Frederick Hagreen, Josh Krupke, Jean Hays Mishler and Cherisse Martinelli.

Three young stars round out the 30-person cast: Victoria Ames Smith (age 11. 5th grade at Laurelhurst Elementary) as Little Cosette; Ilsa Weigel (age 11. 6th grade at Tillicum Middle School in Bellevue) as Young Eponine and Josh Feinsilber (age 12. 7th grade at Pacific Cascade Middle School in Issaquah) as Gavroche. The young understudies are Bea Corley (age 8. 3rd grade at St. Thomas School in Bellevue) and Jonny Ozburn (age 13. 8th grade at Beaver Lake Middle School in Issaquah).

Steve Tomkins directs, and Kathryn Van meter is assistant director. RJ Tancioco serves as music director with set designs by Scott Fyfe, lighting design by Tom Sturge and costume design by Cynthia Savage. Brent Warwick is the sound designer and Monique Walker is the properties master. Ryan Conlin stage manages.

LES MISERABLES was written by Victor Hugo in 1862 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. The musical version of this epic novel opened on the London stage in 1985 and is now the longest running musical in history. Originally conceived by producer Cameron Mackintosh, Alain Boublil is the dramatist, Claude-Michel Schonberg wrote the book and music and Herbert Kretzmer is the lyricist. This tragic musical that details the lifelong struggles of Jean Valjean, Fantine and her daughter Cosette has been translated into 22 different languages, won over 100 major theatre awards, and played in 42 countries.

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