SAXTONS RIVER — Tickets are now on sale for the Main Street Arts production of the musical Les Misérables, which opens Friday, March 6, at the newly renovated community arts center for a two-week run.
The play by Alain Boulil and Claude Michel Schonberg is based on Victor Hugo's classic set in the lead-up to the French Revolution and claims to be the world's longest running musical and winner of numerous awards.
The MSA production is directed by David Stern, with musical direction by Walt Sayre, and features a local cast.
The musical runs Fridays and Saturdays, March 6 and 7, and 13 and 14, at 7:30 p.m., with an extra performance Thursday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on March 8 and 15.
Sharing the lead role of Jean ValJean are Ken Olsson of Jamaica and Michael Duffin of Swanzey, N.H.
They are joined by Lindsay Soboleski of Rockingham as Colette and Sophia Bruzgis of Walpole, N.H., as the young Colette.
Claire Ewing of Keene, N.H., and Allie McGahie of Manchester Center will alternate the role of Éponine.
Other cast members include Eric Walther of Swanzey (Marius), Libby McCawley of Putney (Fantine), Mike Wright of Charlestown, N.H. (Inspector Javert), and Marilyn and Mark Tullgren of Keene (the Thénardiers).
Additional cast members are Dan Bennett of Putney (Foreman), Ellie Jamieson of Westminster West (Gavroche), Falko Schilling of Saxtons River (the Bishop), and Victor Brandt of Acworth, N.H., (Grantaire).
The plot centers on ValJean, an embittered ex-convict who decides to turn his life around after he is saved from further prison time by a bishop. After assuming a new identity and creating a new life as the owner of a jet bead factory, he finds himself the adopted father of his worker Fantine's illegitimate daughter Colette. As the Revolution heats up, the grown up Colette joins her lover Marius on the barricades.
The story is described as one of “heartbreak, passion, and the resilience of the human spirit.” The score features the songs “I Dreamed A Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” and “One Day More.”
The production is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. It will take place in MSA's second floor Heptebo Theater, which is now accessible by elevator.