Review: 'Les Miserables' at Newtown High School

Dedicated to the memories of Larry Petershack, a father and a strong supporter of the Newtown High School Drama Program, my father Austin Sasso, and Luke Garrison, all gone too soon. “To love another person is to see the face of God.”

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?

Newtown, CT - The cast members of Newtown High School ‘Les Misérables’ were doing an amazing amount of singing on their second night in their beautiful new school auditorium. The incredible talent of the teens in this large cast rose to the level of the production values and the result was a show that gave audience members goosebumps at many points in the two acts.

Director and NHS Choral Director Jane Matson wanted the first spring musical in the newly renovated space to be “something epic and grand, something beautiful in its music and inspiring in its message.” She also made it her goal to present ‘Les Mis’ authentically, holding true to the composer’s intent and the spirit of the source material by Victor Hugo. After much discussion, the production team and cast decided to present the pivotal battle scene with prop weapons and sound effects without the use of anything more graphic.

Ms. Matson’s director’s note in the program concludes with her theory as to why audiences around the world flock to see any production of this work. “[W]e see in this show characters who suffer unimaginable loss yet move on with strength and dignity. Our community understands loss and I bear witness each day to the strength and dignity of Newtown students who endeavor to make the world a better place.”

Producer Janice Gabriel, a Theatre and English teacher at Newtown HS as well as a performer in various theatres around CT, was thrilled to be working on her seventh musical at the high school. She told me at intermission that ‘Les Mis’ holds a dear place in her heart because it is the show that made her want to work in theatre when she first saw it for her eleventh birthday. “This is why I do what I do,” she said. Anna DeMasi, previously of Sabrina’s Encore Productions, served as musical director of her favorite musical and conducted the awe-inspiring pit, while Kurt Eckhardt was the rehearsal pit director. NHS English department member Brian Tenney worked with the students as the outstanding technical director. Ms. Matson was in charge of the choreography.

The ensemble members did very well with that choreography and oh, when they sang together in wonderful harmony. Shout out to Jessica Andreotta, who I remembered from last year’s production of ‘Evita.’ This young actress, who has also participated in NHS Unified Theatre productions and summer theater, was once again a strong member of the talented ensemble.

The young actors in the ensemble did very well in their roles as young and angry French students. More than one of the members of the cast reacted professionally when minor stage mishaps happened. Many of the teens in the ensemble had appeared in a production of ‘Les Mis’ with Sabrina Encore Productions in 2015. The ensemble included Maddy Albee, Jessica Andreotta, Michael Arena, Natalie Barden, Lauren Barrett (Cobweb in NewArts’ ‘A ROCKIN Midsummer Night’s Dream,) Jack Bitman, Amm Butler, Anne Marie Carlson, Charlotte Cartelli, Cassie Cauwels, Olivia Cavallero, Will Crebbin (also Grantaire,) Jonathan Crosby, Catarina DaRocha (Rafiki in NewArts’ ‘The Lion King,’) Liv Deschenes (Peaseblossom in ‘ROCKIN’’)Lindsay Dievert, Katherine Donnelly, Casey Dunn, Lisa Enaye, Gillian Faircloth, Paige Farley (Lion in NewArts’ ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Kelly Garcia, Cristina Gomes, Sarah Grant, Talia Hankin, Catie Hanna, Maddie Hintze, Danny Ingersoll (in his NHS debut,) Quinlyn Kessler (‘ROCKIN,’) Michael Leary, Hannah Marcum, Sydney Marino, Jackson Mittleman, Matty Murphy, Leah Navin, Melissa Nowak, Erica Palmieri, Mackenzie Roche, Maddie Rooney, Natalie Schapiro, Jacob Schultz, Payge Shaw (Sarabi in NewArts’ ‘Lion King,’) the multiple credited Jane Shearin, Taegan Smith, Emma Stierle, Shay Sullivan (also Factory Girl #4,) Liza Tananbaum, Johanna Tartaglia, Kelley Terifay, Random Thorflyn, Kayla Verga, Liz Weisgerber, Nate Wheeler, Teddy Wojcik, Carolyn Wolf, and Zac Ziperstein. Cosmo, the canine member of the ensemble, had a brief cameo as a gifted puppy.

The leads in this tight production were excellent in every respect. NHS junior Aidan Moulder (‘Evita’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the high school) demonstrated talent beyond his years in the role of Jean Valjean. Brooks Petershack (Beast in last year’s ‘Beauty and Beast,’ ‘Bare’ at TBTA) was just as impressive as Inspector Javert. The NHS senior dedicated his performance to his father who sadly passed away last year and Brooks knows that he will be proudly watching along with all of us. Senior McKenzie Iazzetta (‘Evita’ at NHS) gave it her all as perhaps the most miserable character Fantine.

Senior Teresa Forlenzo sang her heart out as Cosette and NHS senior Jack Armstrong, who has worked at Musicals at Richter and Sabrina’s Encore Productions, matched her perfectly as Marius Pontmercy. Senior Teah Renzi, who sang as Peron’s mistress in ‘Evita,’ ripped out audience hearts in her dream show as the feisty Éponine. Ms Renzi appeared in the ensemble in the Sabrina’s production of ‘Les Mis,’ had the role of Consuelo in ‘West Side Story’ at Musicals at Richter, and also played Lily/Belle in NewArts’ production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with B’way’s Graham Malcolm.

Monsieur Thénardier was played to perfection by NHS senior Barrett DeYoung (Lefou in last year’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at NSH) and senior Phoebe Doscher (‘Evita’) made us laugh as the saucy Madame Thénardier. Nicolas Stowell brought a strong voice to the role of Enjolras and eighth grade student (and sister of Phoebe) Liv Doscher sang poignantly as the Young Cosette. Ella Grace Renak appeared as the young Éponine and Timmy Galer (Niko in NewArts’ ‘The Wizard of Oz’) was the spunky Gavroche.

Trent Harrison and Dave Roach were imposing as constables and Matty Murphy (‘Evita’) did well as the benevolent Bishop of Digne. Jacob Schultz (A-Rab in ‘West Side Story’ at Immaculate HS and Musicals at Richter) was the foreman of Fantine’s place of meager employment as well as student Foreman, and NHS senior Talia Hankin was the shop troublemaker and a schoolboy. Liza Tananbaum was Fantine’s hair hag.

The large and mostly mobile set was designed by Todd Perrin, Dan Reilly, Nina Francesca Soriano and Mr. Tenney. The massive painted backdrop and the rest of the large stage was lit to perfection by Bobby Gaffney and Mr. Tenney. Sound Heads Phoebe Mack and Tim White made sure that everyone could be heard. This included working with the technology of bringing the music of the orchestra sitting in the Band Room into the auditorium in real time. Kudos to the 20 student musicians and Brett Boles on keyboard II who we got to see on video during the curtain speech and the numerous crew members who made it all work behind the scenes.

Now let’s talk about the costumes. Costume designer Marie Armstrong had her hands full with getting this entire cast in period ensembles and worked with DB Productions in New York, Gloria Von Oy and The Warner Theatre to get the job done. Without exception, the students looked the part of a French citizen from this era.

I brought along my mother Marie Sasso to the show because she has loved 'Les Miserables' since she saw it with my dad on Broadway. She sat transfixed through the first act and at intermission proclaimed the work of the talent teens to be "just like Broadway." Thank you to Ms. Gabriel for the invitation to both of us to attend the show for a review.

Ingersoll Auto of Danbury was the presenting sponsor of this production, and also supports sports and laptop needs. Don’t miss this outstanding, goose bump producing production of a classic show but don’t wait. Tickets are limited for the remaining performances which are March 23, 24 @ 7:00 pm and March 24, 25 @ 2:00 pm All shows are held in the NHS Auditorium at 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT - http://nhsc.booktix.com/

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and 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. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417