Aroostook school theater director Doug Clapp thought his group would perform ‘Phantom of the Opera’ this fall, but a delayed renovation and student pleas changed everything.
Instead, Clapp’s Fort Kent Community High School group is rehearsing “Les Miserables,” the famed musical depicting a time of rebellion in France.
Several Maine groups have tackled the 46-year-old show. The Schoolhouse Arts Center in Standish and Some Theater Company in Bangor are among those with upcoming productions. The Fort Kent program joins the ranks and will bring it to The County next week.
Designed to coincide with the grand opening of a new auditorium at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, “Phantom” took a turn when Clapp learned construction wouldn’t quite be finished in time.
“‘Phantom’ basically comes down to three major actors, and some of my other kids said, ‘Can’t you pick something with a bigger cast?’” Clapp said Friday. “I knew we had some great voices, but it’s just amazing. They can hit those notes, they can sing these songs, and most of them are sophomores.”
Based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name, “Les Miserables” tells the story of recently paroled thief Jean Valjean, the detective who pursues him, and a doomed factory worker named Fantine and her child, set against the backdrop of a student-led uprising.
The musical debuted in Paris 46 years ago, and five years later its English translation opened in London.
Opening night is slated at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the high school cafetorium, with other shows at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21.
Cast members include Troy Celik as protagonist Jean Valjean, William Gullick as revolutionary leader Enjorlas, Olorin Braun Epp as Detective Javert, Cameron Jandreau and Madison Ecker Boucher as the unscrupulous Monsieur and Madame Thenardier and Shanelle Rossignol in a double role as Fantine, an abused factory worker, and her daughter Cosette.
Other key actors are Kaden Mathieu as Marius, Samantha Chasse as Eponine, Bryce Littrell as Gavroche and Madison Granatowski as young Cosette.
Several cast members talked about the show following a Friday theater preview at The Common Gallery that was part of Presque Isle’s First Friday Art Walk.
Celik found two things particularly challenging about playing Valjean: the range needed for the songs and understanding a character who is his opposite.
“Valjean has an absolutely insane range for a performer [which] is over two octaves,” he said. “And he’s a hardened criminal. He’s been in prison for 19 years. I haven’t even lived 19 years.”
Celik worked hard on imagining the character and even tried to enact facial details, he said.
She didn’t know the storyline at first, but Rossignol researched the character of Fantine and watched different versions of the story and musical. Being in the production has been exciting, she said.
What will stay with her most is Fantine’s story, she said.
“She really went through a lot. She was abused and people were just horrible to her,” Rossignol said. “Her story is really strong and I think it should be told more.”
Mathieu described his character Marius as “a classic example of an overconfident, rich schoolboy.”
As happens in many musicals, Marius meets a girl and falls in love at first sight.
“And he is also in this really complex relationship with revolutionary students, and that conflicts with his love,” Mathieu said.
Jandreau found smarmy innkeeper Thenardier fun to play.
“He lures you in, basically, and robs you without your knowing,” he said. “He seems like a fun guy, but you leave with less stuff than you came with.”
For Braun Epp, the fact that there are no spoken lines at all in the show was intense, but bringing Javert to life proved fascinating. The detective, determined to uphold the law, has made it his life’s quest to hunt down Valjean and make him pay for his crimes, he said.
“My favorite part is definitely exploring where his mercy lies and where I can find those moments, because he does break at the end,” Braun Epp said. “Exploring that was the most interesting part.”
Rounding out the production is an ensemble cast which includes Abigail Thibeault, Brianna Nadeau, Brie Robichaud, Devin Dumais, Etta Jandreau, Halle Jandreau, Hannah Pelletier, Haven Thurston, Isabelle Nichols, Izzy Forino, Jeremy O’Clair, Lacey Jackson, Lance St. Germain, Mikayla Ayers, Nila Bonenfant, Peter Smith, Piper Caron, Rylee Hafford, Sadie Law and Zoey Dumont.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for students and can be purchased at Fort Kent Community High School or Fort Kent Elementary School.