By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
From Paris to the West End, Broadway, the big screen and beyond, Pacific Palisades now has a chance to catch an adaptation of a “Tony Award-winning epic French musical” at Pierson Playhouse.
Theatre Palisades Youth and Theatre Palisades Teens will present “Les Misérables School Edition,” with performances slated over the course of two weekends, February 23 to March 3.
“‘Les Misérables’ recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th-century France,” according to a synopsis. “Arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean spends 19 years in prison. Upon his release, he becomes an honest man, the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father—violating his parole in the process and causing him to be relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert. Only after a bloody student uprising, when Valjean saves the life of a young man who’s in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.”
The show is directed by Lara Ganz—who said she felt like the program was “called to do this show”—with gaba as music director and choreography by Rebecca Barragan, Mark Marchillo and Aaron Jung.
“‘Les Misérables’ is a story of love, redemption and sacrifice,” Ganz, director of the TPY and TPTeens programs, said in a statement. “It shares a message that we need today, more than ever—that even in the direst of circumstances, in the end, faith and hope can redeem you.”
“Les Misérables” is based on a novel by Victor Hugo. Ganz said she first saw the show, which has won more than 100 awards across the globe since its debut in September 1980, on Broadway when she was a youth herself.
“I was so young, and I didn’t have a lot of understanding of what was going on in the world,” she explained, “but it left me sobbing. I had never felt anything like that.”
The cast is comprised of 54 students, ranging in age from 7 to 17, from schools in the Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Topanga, as well as Pasadena, West Hollywood and West Hills.
“There are so many issues addressed in this musical that are relevant to what we are going through in the world right now,” Ganz said. “And these kids are playing characters who sacrifice everything for the hope of a better future. They’re dedicating themselves to these roles, and allowing themselves to be vulnerable in order to become these characters. This experience will stay with them forever.”
Performances will take place at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road, on Friday, February 23, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 24, at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 25, at 1 p.m.; Thursday, February 29, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 1, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 2, at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $22 for general admission, and $17 for students or seniors.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org/youth.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
