Theater Review: "Les Miserables" by Landmark Community Teen Program

Thomaston - Landmark Community Theatre will present the School Edition of “Les Miserables” this weekend at the Thomaston Opera House. The musical was written by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, with music by Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The beloved show was adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

The production team chose the challenge musical “Les Miserables” for their first live production since the pandemic closure. The production is performed entirely by students, with several young adults also working behind the scenes. Do not be fooled by the fact that this is a cast of young performers; this performance is so polished that you will soon forget that the actors are not quite the ages of the various characters in the Victor Hugo novel.

Madge O’Toole, who graciously invites me to see the productions at Pomperaug High School that she directs, is the director for this talented group of 38 students from area towns. Music director Christian Winter is a Pomperaug graduate with a compassionate dedication to getting the most out of the young singers as they sing along to the musical tracks. This is the first time that Winter has music directed a show. The teen production was produced by Jeffrey P. Dunn and Andrea Bingham is the dedicated production manager. Kennedy Morris served as choreographer, with Ian Jones as tech director.

At their final dress rehearsal, the performers proved that they are clearly ready for their performances this weekend of this sung-through musical. Their many hours of rehearsal have paid off.

The always impressive Benjamin Dressel (“Let It Be,” “Kinky Boots”) is perfectly cast in the leading role of Javert. His magnificent singing voice shines, as does his admirable stage presence.

Dylan Ryan gives an emotional performance and sings so very well in the role of Jean Valjean. As he ages up through the role, he holds tight to what motivates his important character. The young actor, who is also a songwriter/musician, makes his LCT debut in this role.

Nicole Kolitsas (pictured above, kneeling) is able to break the collective heart of the audience with her portrayal of Fantine. I could not take my eyes off of her magnificent performance. Just a few of Kolitsas’ credits include “White Christmas” at the now shuttered Westchester Broadway Theatre, the original musical “A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream” with NewArts (also on the cast recording as Puck,) Sondheim Award winner for Killer Queen in “We Will Rock You,” Halo Award winner for “Medea” and as Feste in “Twelfth Night” It was a special treat for me to see this talented performer on stage again.

The wickedly funny innkeepers give comic relief as needed and do it oh so very well. Jimmy Hunter is a lithe Thenardier, forever thinking of ways to cheat his way around in a jaunty top hat. Hunter, who appeared in and choreographed “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and played the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz at Pomperaug High School and in “Matilda,” “Disney’s Newsies” and “School of Rock” with NewArts, all of which I saw! They invite everyone to come see their student directed production of “Dancing at Lughnasa” at Pomperaug High School. This is a talented performer to watch.

Kate Goncalves, who I remembered from “The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Wizard of Oz" with Pomperaug Theatre Company, is deliciously mean and scary as his wife Madame Thenardier in her first LCT production. This duo is dressed perfectly for their roles and bring out every ounce of comedy in their parts.

Azayda Lynt (“American Idiot”) gives a very impressive performance in the role of Enjolras; this young actor who is a Terryville High School student sings beautifully and holds their character throughout. Finnegan O’Toole, 12, plays the young Gavroche in the requisite cap.

Mireya Trelles, a student at WAMS, is achingly beautiful in the important role of Eponine all grown up. This young woman has a magnificent singing voice and brings tears to our eyes in her final scene. This is only Trelles’ second production onstage, although she is a songwriter with a released album entitled “Songbird Chronicles.” I look forward to seeing this supremely talented performer on area stages.

Jason Winter is another standout in the role of Marius. Winter was part of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Newsies” and “Matilda” with NewArts, and wonders in his bio when someone will write another Les Miz with country music. Cosette is brought to life by the lovely Aisling Gowen; her lilting soprano blends beautifully with Winter’s strong voice.

Gwen Kavanaugh, who has been part of numerous Pomperaug productions as well as “Matilda” with NewArts, plays both a bishop and Montparnasse. Logan Nicolari appears as a foreman and Brujon. Patrick Purcell is both Barnatobois and Feuilly. Kalman Zold, who has worked with Naugatuck Teen Theatre and Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre, portrays both Joly and Fauchelevant. Ethan Wollman covers the role of Grantaire and Quinn Soulliere is Major Domo. Ciaran Flanagan (“Baskervilles” at Pomperaug) plays Lesgles and Grace Henderson plays Prouvaire. Taryn McWilliams portrays Courfeyrac and Jaheim Moaze is Combeferre. WAMS student Lilyana Bodnar (“Midsummer Night’s Dream”) portrays Claquesous. Megan Pratt (“Oliver!’ at Goodspeed Musicals, “A Christmas Carol” at Hartford Stage) is the downtrodden young Cosette and Lilah Pape (“Earlene’s Diner” at Seven Angels) appears as the young Eponine.

The ensemble members support the production throughout the performance, especially as they effectively head up the two side aisles to the stage. Shout outs to one and all.

The plethora of costumes worn by the cast were designed by Sara Goncalves. It seemed that every time the ensemble members appeared, they were in new costumes. Simone Matusevice did an amazing job with the lighting design…wait until you see the scene at the bridge. Grace Carpenter is the light board operator. George LaChance did the excellent sound design. Lucia Dressel, Ben’s proud mom, was the fight choreographer. The cleverly designed set was constructed by Chris Ryan and David Verdosci and painted by Bob Brophy and Pat Piscopo; the scenery for the scene in the inn fills the Opera House stage. .

Don't miss this stellar production presented entirely by students. The two acts are presented with one intermission and a few of the course words remain in the lyrics.

The Landmark Community Theatre Teen Program is presenting the student production of this beloved musical. Tickets are only $2o for performances one weekend only: August 12th/13th: 8:00pm and August 14th: 2:00pm. Box Office: 860-283-6250 and landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

The Thomaston Opera House is located at 158 Main Street in Thomaston.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.