Have You Heard the Giants (People) Sing? Highland Park High School Presents Les Mis?rables

Submitted by Tony Schor

Highland Park High School’s Les Misérables (the musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer, based on the classic Victor Hugo novel that originally opened in London in 1985) is a stellar production that still has two more shows February, 20 and 21 in the Main Auditorium at Highland Park High School. Once again, I found it almost hard to believe this is a high school production; the singing, music, acting, and tech set a standard that the Highland Park Community has almost come to expect based on the recently successful shows at the high school.

Bravo! I found this to be a thrilling production. First and foremost because of the voices, which range from solidly good to utterly spectacular. In a class by herself is older Cosette, played by junior (!) Ari Dayan. Her voice is mature, nuanced, clearly professionally trained and wide ranging. Not many can hit a “high C’, BUT Ari Dayan does! An absolutely jaw-dropping performance that elevated the production from beginning to end was Javert, played by senior Jacob Baim. Baim had a convincingly performance, doing justice to this important role. He will be one to watch as his career continues in college.

Particularly delightful were David Zucker and Gretchen Mintzenberger as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, who made the most of being the only comic relief in the show. I have to say that the nuances David Zucker brought to the Monsieur character stood out as he also stayed true to his character while always engaging the audience.

Of course well deserved kudos goes to Eli Newman and the rest of the ensemble that each brought to the community their gift of acting and singing with endearing conviction for their craft.

The orchestra performed the difficult score as beautifully as the cast sang it. This was only the first performance, but the cast, crew and musicians performed as consummate professionals. And the orchestra surely deserves praise for playing a critical role that brought this show to voluminous applause.

Thank you to Scott Shallenbarger, Director and Sherri Owens, Musical Director and all the Highland Park actors, production crew, and orchestra, who are dedicated people with a community fan base that seemed proud of what they have achieved, as well they should be.

I have seen Les Misérables numerous times on Broadway, along with 130 other Broadway musical productions, and I have to say that the standing ovation at the end was deserved and earned. Be sure to “Hear the Giants (People) sing” before it’s too late.

Come and hear the people sing; “Les Miserables”, Highland Park High School performances of the award-winning epic musical are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. February, 20 and 21 in the Main Auditorium. Tickets are $10, and are available for purchase in the HPHS Bookstore. Tickets can also be purchased the night of the performance in the auditorium foyer.