Oakdale High School Drama Club, under the direction of drama director Bryan Mills, will present the musical drama ‘Les Miserables’ on Thursday, May 11; Friday, May 12; and Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m. at the OHS Theater, 739 W. G St.
The show also features junior high and elementary performers and is unique in that the dialogue is presented entirely in song.
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or at the OHS Business office.
In 1815 France, convict Jean Valjean (Thomas Mason) is released on parole by prison guard Javert (Steven Elizondo) after serving a 19-year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread as well as repeated escape attempts. After several months of drifting around France, Valjean is offered food and shelter by the Bishop of Digne (Joe Gutierrez), but steals his silver during the night. He is caught by the authorities, but the Bishop lies by saying that the silver was given as a gift, and secures Valjean’s release. Touched by the Bishop’s love, grace and generosity, Valjean breaks his parole and vows to start an honest life under a new identity. Javert swears he will bring the escaped convict to justice.
Eight years later in 1823, Valjean has become a wealthy factory owner and mayor of the small town of Montreuil-sur-Mer. A young woman named Fantine (Jessica Long), one of his workers, is discovered to be sending money to her illegitimate daughter, Cosette (Jessica Birchall), who lives with the unscrupulous Thénardiers (Brandon Layton and Emily Hudson and their daughter Éponine (Abby Heerema), and is dismissed by the foreman (Michael Lopez). Left with no alternative, Fantine turns to prostitution and later winds up in the hospital.
Later, Valjean learns that a man believed to be him has been arrested. Unable to condemn an innocent man, Valjean reveals his identity to the court before departing for the hospital. There he promises to a dying Fantine that he will look after her daughter. After Fantine dies, Javert arrives at the hospital and attempts to arrest Valjean. But Valjean escapes and finds Cosette at the Thénardiers brothel/halfway house. Valjean bribes the couple to allow him to take Cosette away. After Valjean confides in Cosette about her mother passing away, he promises to be like a father to her.
Students Marius Pontmercy (Devon Doss) and Enjolras (Jacob Holdaway). together with street urchin Gavroche (Parker Whitemyer), discuss fomenting a revolution to overthrow the government. Later Marius catches a glimpse of Cosette (Katie Robbins), now a young woman, and instantly falls in love with her.
At a café, Enjolras organizes a group of idealistic students.
Meanwhile, Éponine (Darby Schmidt), now Marius’s friend, leads him to Cosette, where the two profess their love for one another. Lamenting that her secret love for Marius will never be reciprocated, Éponine fatalistically decides to join the revolution.
With the majority of the Parisians not joining the revolution as the students expected, they resolve to fight to the death.
With the help of music director, Amelia Schmidt and student director Piper Collins, Mills has put together a cast and crew of 75 students from the local elementary schools, the junior high school and the high school.
All are encouraged to attend one of the performances for a show that is certain not to disappoint.
