KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceDean Reviews "Les Miserables: The School Edition"

Our performing arts correspondent Dean Rhodus shares his review of "Les Miserables: The School Edition."

The show runs through August 13th at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Fresno.

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I've seen many productions of this show. This production has accomplished the spirit of revolution the authors' must have striven for. These are the complex and contrapuntal themes of equality, evil, God, freedom, love, injustice, suffering, sacrifice and fraternity as penned by Victor Hugo and indeed by life itself. These wonderful young people, their directors, choreographers, coaches, teachers, crew and staff have made these great themes live by virtue of their raw, unbridled caring and passion.

I heard some amazing singing; Miguel Molinar handled the role of Jean Valjean with depth and maturity, especially in the very moving "Bring Him Home". Javert as portrayed by Isaac Ellis gave me a feeling of being in good hands from his first vocal phrase to his seething walk. There were many heart-felt performances. Watch for the Young Eponine (Ally Wettstead), Marius (Trent Dublin) (whose very gentle characterization was belied by a very aggressive "forward production"), Young Cossette (Mallory Lozano) and Eponine (Catriona Fray) and Cosette (Amber Lewis). 

A real standout for me was the dual team of Thenardier and Madame Thenardier. Jordan Laemmlen and Megan Rupe handled the comedic assignments for this production. These characters can be over-done and broad without being "connected" to reality. It takes a very mature performer to accomplish the broad/subtle truthfulness these roles want. In Megan's case, I thought I was watching a performer as skillful as Angela Lansbury in a role like Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Nothing less than brilliant.

As mentioned during the on-air segment, I so enjoyed the spirit of these young performers as they informed the spirit of the French Revolution. Compliments and congratulations to director Skyler Gray who infused this production with the honesty and sincerity of the sort that makes such a great moment in history live on for another generation. I am encouraged, also, that there were so many young people in the audience. Lots and lots. This insures an audience for a thriving theater climate for decades to come in this place called "the valley". I foresee this area becoming an important contributor in the survival and propagation of "live theater" for the entire country.  As we as a citizenry support such important work among the burgeoning theater in our area, I think we will feel now, and down the road, that it is and shall have been positively worth it.