The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students set stage for Les Miserables
Students say the Elyria Catholic High School production of Les Miserables school edition taught them to look for hope despite tragic circumstances.
Director Kevin Juguilon says with 54 students involved, this is the largest production in his three years at the Elyria Catholic Department of Performing Arts.
The shows are 7 p.m., March 22, 24, and 25, at the school, 725 Gulf Road in Elyria.
Tickets cost $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and students. Pre-sale tickets cost $7 and $5 respectively, said Annie Cunningham, director of public relations at Elyria Catholic.
“These students have worked so hard with long hours,” Juguilon said.
“Les Miserables is one of the most challenging shows you can do. It’s an opera, really. It’s all singing. But we have such incredible talent.”
He said he hopes the students realize how much they accomplished through their commitment.
“I want them to learn that they are capable of tackling even the biggest of challenges,” Juguilon said. “I set the bar high and they have surpassed it.”
Thematically, the show’s name means to love another person is to see the face of God, he said.
“I’m hoping this helps them take that into their lives, that what’s most important in life is loving other people,” Juguilon said.
“And since this is a Catholic school, that’s what we hope. Now, that theme is more important than ever.”
Seventeen-year-old senior Morgan Chilton said she plays Cosette and serves as choreographer, assistant director and costumes director, assembling pieces and fixing rips.
Les Miserables marks her eighth play at Elyria Catholic, with two a year for four years, she said. She also participates in community theater during the summer.
“I’ve been performing since I was three years old,” Morgan said. “I’m so highly involved in everything in the production I’m multitasking all the time. And vocally, I’m making sure I’m healthy, taking care of myself and drinking lots of water.
“Cosette embodies womanhood to the best extent. She came from a terrible situation. She was poor. Her mother died when she was young. She was raised by Valjean.”
Morgan said she hopes when people see the show, they take something away from the story that they can relate to.
“And somehow gain something that will bring hope and strength into their life,” she said. “It’s a sad story, but it brings hope.”
Seventeen-year-old senior Tanner Brooks plays the role of Valjean, a main character of the story.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work to put the show together and a lot of determination to put a good performance on,” Tanner said, adding a challenge is singing all of the dialogue.
Before stepping into the role of Valjean, Tanner said he watched a Les Miserables movie.
“And I saw it on Broadway when I was in New York on a family trip last year,” he said.
At the time, Tanner said he did not know he would be playing the role.
Juguilon welcomes the community to the production.
“Come see the show,” he said. “I know you will enjoy it.”