BWW Previews: LES MISERABLES is Set to Open at Memorial Opera House

While it may be cold outside in Northern Indiana, things are heating up at Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana, as they get ready to open, "Les Miserables" opening on Friday February 13, 2015 with a run of 12 performances. This sung through musical based on the novel written by French Poet and Novelist, Victor Hugo, is sure to bring you all the excitement that you would hope for from this production. This production will feature a cast of over 30, and direction by Scot MacDonald of The Memorial Opera House.

LES MISERABLES, has a score and book by Claude-Michel Schonberg, and is set in early 19th-century France, with the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant, who is on a quest of redemption after serving nineteen years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread. Valjean decides to break his parole and start his life anew after a kindly bishop inspires him by a tremendous act of mercy. But a police inspector, Javert, relentlessly tracks him down. Along the way, Valjean and a host of characters are swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. This story packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world.

I recently had the chance to chat with director, Scot MacDonald about his cast and production of LES MISERABLES. I could tell by his responses that he is simply ecstatic for this production to begin.

When asked on the direction that MacDonald took with this production, he says, "My direction and vision with this show is to present the most honest, raw performances of these characters possible. I feel that sometimes people's performances get "lost" in the songs and we don't get a chance to connect as deeply as we'd like. It's about the redemption and grace each of these characters experiences at the darkest moments of their lives and not just another beautiful song."

One of our biggest questions we ask ourselves before seeing a production such as LES MISERABLES is, "How is this cast going to be?" MacDonald says this about his cast, "The cast is amazing. They have responded so well to the direction Heather Chaddock (assistant director) and I have given them. They are so great at discovering the moments for each of them. It's so fun watching them bring this story to life." As all theater people know, nothing is better than a cast that takes direction well!

As we all know, huge productions such as LES MISERABLES have their challenges. I asked MacDonald what he thought the biggest challenge for him and his cast was. He responded, "One of the biggest challenges has been what to do with 30 people when the focus is on 2. During numbers like "End of the Day" and "Master of the House" especially-everyone is on stage---but only a few characters are the focus of the scene...so getting 30 people to actively listen and watch has been a bit of a challenge--but they succeed wildly at it!"

LES MISERABLES is shaping up to be a huge hit at The Memorial Opera House! I am SO excited to see the production, and give feedback right here on the Broadway World's South Bend Region website. Make sure you don't miss this production! LES MISERABLES will run:

Friday, February 13, 20, 27, March 6 2015

Saturday, February 14, 21, 28, March 7 2015

Sunday, February 15, 22, March 1, 8 2015

Friday & Saturday performances at 8:00 PM Sunday performances at 2:00 PM.

As for the rest of the 2015 season at Memorial Opera House, they are packed full with fun and excitement! In May, they will produce Noel Coward's "Private Lives". Following that will be the hilarious work of Bill Fynn's, "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". In October Memorial Opera House will have a visit from The Addams Family just in time for Halloween. They will wrap up their season with Alan Menken's take on "A Christmas Carol".

If you would like to contact Memorial Opera House for tickets, events, or contact information, please visit their website, www.memorialoperahouse.com. To see more on Memorial Opera House's production of LES MISERABLES, check out this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52CIxwktUtQ

I'm looking forward to this production! As always, support our arts in Northern Indiana! Tweet me! @AP_95

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