Schools
2 Schools, 1 Incredible Performance
Newsome and Riverview high schools are combining their choir and drama departments to bring residents "Les Miserables."
The legendary musical, "Les Miserables," based on the classic novel written by Victor Hugo is coming to the big stage at Riverview High School. Although taking place at Riverview High, this year’s play is a combined effort of Riverview and Newsome high schools.
Director Daron Hawkins had heard choir program on several occasions and thought it would make a good collaboration. Likewise, Newsome choir director Jeff Bogue had been to several plays directed by Hawkins and took to the idea quickly. They're hoping combining the two schools will be an impactful musical presentation with great acting and singing.
The lead roles were divided among the two high schools to give it a true collaborative effort. According to Bogue, “Some of the students (from Newsome) have acted before. We did ‘Grease’ last year.”
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Two students in the play are brother and sister, getting to work together for the first time. Austin Vaughan is a senior at Newsome High School and Jessiana Vaughan is a freshman at Riverview High School. They live in the same house but go to different schools.
“It’s pretty neat working with my sister,” mentioned Austin Vaughan. “Since we go to different schools, we don’t hang out very often (outside of family activities), so it’s cool to do something together.”
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"Les Miserables" will be the third play to take place in the Shark Theater during the 2010-11 school year.
The two weekend-long runnings of "Les Mis" will begin Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday. The same will take place Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. There will be two matinees Sunday, May 22 and 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are available to purchase on the Shark Theater website and are $10 general admission. You can also purchase tickets on the day of the show, but they will not be available until 6:30 p.m. on the given day.
This year’s performance is partially funded with help from The Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center, The John and Elizabeth Crawford Fund and The Interfaith Council of Sun City Center.
“It’s great that these foundations help support the arts in schools," said Hawkins.