Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Ensemble strength

Theatre | November 12th, 2014

Photo by Brianne Lee

Concordia's ‘Les Misérables’ showcases student performing power in popular stage show

Concordia College Theatre sees the biggest show of its season these next two weekends. Bringing the beloved “Les Misérables” of Victor Hugo heritage to its Mainstage Theatre, the college company will showcase ensemble strength in this popular production.

Commissioned by former theater faculty member Jennifer Thomas, “Les Misérables” (or “Les Miz”) follows in the tracks of shows like “Urinetown” and “Into the Woods” at Concordia College Theatre: big blowout musicals uniting music and theater students.

“I know her impetus was to do a really big show,” director Sally Story said of Thomas’s selection,” a show that would once again bring the music and theater departments together to really show off the talent we have here, and ‘Les Miz’ would attract many people so I think it was an excellent choice on her part, and it really showcases the students’ talents.”

Beloved onstage and (perhaps) best known in film, “Les Miz” follows the intrepid Jean Valjean, the police inspector on his tail and other characters of early 19th century France. The 2012 film musical starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway raked in awards in 2013 and was a box office smash.

Locally, this show has been seen at West Fargo High School in 2012, and just this last summer from the Rural Cass County Community Theatre. The story’s popularity is well proven, and it can be a pitfall when producing the stage version, as far as making a production stand out against so many other interpretations.

Photo by Brianne Lee

This is something Story doesn’t fear.

“I think there is no right or wrong,” she said. “Your interpretation is your interpretation.”

Concordia’s production is one that had to put a cap on its chorus and characters, as 37 cast members, three children, a backstage crew and orchestra pit come together to present. The chorus alone somewhat steals the show, with many chorus members overriding principle characters in the number of scenes they’re in.

“I’ve had individual meetings with every single person, and it’s funny running down all the scenes that they’re in,” Story said, “and you’re like ‘Oh, you’re in everything, and the principles are in three scenes,’ so it’s interesting.”

Together, these students take a more “traditionally based” approach to the show and its design. Much of Concordia’s ideas about “Les Miz” are found in its set, which is highly functional for props, furniture and movement. Plopping down props and allowing for everyone to move is key for this production, and theater faculty Christian Boy’s wizard set design proved to be the perfect design.

Photo by Brianne Lee

Music moves this show from start to finish, all 150 minutes of it (though some cuts have been made for “the audience and actors’ sake and sanity,” Story said). With music and theater students combined for such a performance, it should be hard to find disappointment anywhere.

Story herself finds this musical an excellent example of a people-driven show, as the show would be nothing without the actors onstage and the audience who keep coming back for more of its music, message and meaning.

“The show is about the people,” she said, “and about fighting for what you believe in and rising up, and do you have the courage to do so.”

IF YOU GO

“Les Misérables”

Mainstage Theatre in Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre

Nov. 13-16 and 20-22

218-299-3314

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee NelsonMore than 1,000 pro-worker events are planned for Thursday, May 1 across the country, including rallies in Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks, Minot and Jamestown. East Grand Forks and Bismarck will host protests…

From concerts and car shows to Japanese art and Juneteenth celebrations, there's so much going on around the region this summer. This year's High Plains Reader Summer Events Calendar is back and bigger than ever. It's packed with…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com One description that perhaps aptly describes the mental state of many lately is that they feel they are attached to a string. Or several strings. Call it the notion that people are played like puppets,…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comFor sale: White House in D.C. housing dung beetles and giant leechesI suspect someone close to Donald Trump has read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,”because the Trump administration is…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Filmmaker Antonella Sudasassi Furniss constructs an engaging sophomore feature with “Memories of a Burning Body,” selected by Costa Rica to be entered for consideration as a possible Oscar…

By Raul Gomezraul@hpr1.com Minutes before Modern’s Celebration of Life opened its door at the Sons of Norway, I was fiddling with the bar computer, trying to pull up the playlists of Modern’s work I had set aside for the…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There appear to be differences in the incidence of mental illnesses between men and women. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson.nd7@gmail.com Our trucking business has me driving almost daily from gas plants in western North Dakota's oil patch to Canada. I haul natural gas liquids (NGLs) products we used to see flared off at…