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Main Stage encourages students to break down barricades

Nothing less than a professional-calibre performance is expected from Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts students in the upcoming production of Les Misérables.

Nothing less than a professional-calibre performance is expected from Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts students in the upcoming production of Les Misérables.

Students and staff have been preparing for this enormous undertaking as Les Misérables will be one of the crowning achievements of Main Stage — only a handful of high school programs are capable of producing this epic and powerful musical which runs from Feb. 4 to 19, 2011.

This blockbuster show is based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel about ex-convict Jean Valjean. He attempts to start a new life, through the tumult of revolutionary France, yet is relentlessly pursued by policeman Javert. . This story is one of the most powerful and exciting ever published; Les Misérables remains a timeless classic since being penned in 1862. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s brilliant stage adaptation, in collaboration with Herber Kretzmer, has caught the essence of Hugo’s work precisely.

The strenuous preparation and rehearsal schedule demands the students are prepared each day. Musicians and actors have 32 pieces of music to master before opening in February. A renowned musical Les Mis showcases a Tony Award winning score including the songs “I Dreamed a Dream”, “Castle on a Cloud”, “One Day More”, “Master of the House”, and “Bring Him Home”.

Music director Nicole Hounjet held orchestral auditions last June and the directing team held cast auditions prior to school starting in September. When asked why the FCHS/AHSFA directors chose Les Misérables, their response was unanimous. They said few high schools would ever attempt this beautiful but demanding musical. The vocal and dramatic training these Main Stage students have been given in the past couple of years confirms if there was any group of individuals who could pull it off, it would be this year’s crew.

The performers are truly up for the challenge.

“This is perhaps one of the most perplexing scores to interpret because it requires such sensitivity and sophistication in terms of musicality,” said Hounjet. “I am so impressed with the student musicians who are so eager to meet this challenge.”

The show will not only be demanding musically, but dramatically as well.

Artistic and technical director James Keary is requiring students go beyond the performance to immerse themselves in the lives of the characters. The directors’ decision to perform Les Mis was, in part, due to the universal themes reflecting the frailty of human nature and personal life choices. Keary was initially apprehensive about the show’s somewhat provocative content yet it is reflective of the era and the period’s prejudices toward various social classes.

Keary and his cast strive to impart Hugo’s strong message of the need for mercy and forgiveness — lessons from which we could all learn.

The collaboration necessary to deliver the show’s philosophically challenging message involves tremendous effort on a day-to-day basis. Technical Theatre students have been diligently working on production elements of the show including costume and set design, theatrical makeup and lighting. Under the guidance of choreography director Kelly van Sluys and Hounjet the talented performers have been learning the demanding vocal score and movement.

Main Stage promotes the concepts of leadership, accountability, and confidence building as well as develops strong communication and time management skills. Main Stagers must make a considerable commitment beyond what is ordinarily offered in comparable school programs, while meeting all their curricular requirements.

The directors of this year’s Main Stage production of Les Mis know their students will go “beyond the barricade” as they bring 1815 to life. The show will be a most proud achievement; students will surely “hear the people sing” of their accomplishment for many years to come.

Tickets for Les Mis are now on sale; just in time for Christmas giving.

The production runs Feb. 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18 and 19, with Gala (dinner and show) on Feb. 5. Tickets for evening shows are $20 and the show starts at 7 p.m. Gala tickets are $45 with dinner at 5:30 p.m. with show to follow.

Tickets can be ordered by calling the Ticket Line at 403-540-6574 or you can email [email protected]

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