Students buzz about the spring musical, Les Misérables. Even though this classic is quoted in shows such as Family Guy and Scrubs, most students don’t know what it is. This is a show that has influenced our culture: it has over 30 songs, and a large cast of 50 to 60 people.
“It’s a really huge show,” said Sophomore Mallory Nelson. “It’s really complicated, intense, and a lot of work, but it’s going to be really amazing.”
Les Misérables is a dark musical and some of it’s themes include suicide, falling in love, and prostitution. It is completely sung, few words are actually spoken dialogue, which means singers, especially of the male type, are essential.
“We have the right kids to do it,” said Director Tracy Hagstrom-Durant. “You have to have a lot of boys and they have to be ‘man-boys,’ not wimpy boys, and they have to be able to sing and act, and we have several boys, we’re actually stronger in men than we are in women right now, and that’s a musical that requires that.”
The audition process is similar to auditions from past years with three parts: a basic dance, vocal and reading audition.
“Come with a prepared song from a musical,” said Hagstrom-Durant. “You’ll sing a part of it with Mr. Walsh, you’ll do read cold readings out of the script, and you’ll do some kind of movement audition. Fill out an audition form and list all of your conflicts from auditions until performance dates.”
For auditions, it helps to not be nervous, but nerves are hard to control.
“I hate auditions!” said Nelson. “I get so nervous, like I can’t sleep the night before the cast list goes up and I panic before the auditions because you never know what’s going to happen. It’s going to be nerve-wracking.”
This show was adapted from the book by Victor Hugo written in 1862. Les Misérables follows the intertwining stories between the cast members, as some fall in love and some fall apart.
“Kids should know it’s not like other musicals they’ve seen.” said Sophomore Jessica Johnson. “It’s a darker musical and very sad. I think it’s good for kids to see plays like that.”
The audition dates are February 17, 18, and 20, and show dates are April 23, 24 and 25.
By Kaelie Lund
