Do you hear the people sing? If not, you can on Nov. 21, 22, 23 and 25 as the Emery High School Theater Department presents ‘Les Miserables’. The thrilling tale of revolution, heartbreak, heroics and redemption will be held in the EHS Auditorium at 7 p.m. and a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 23. To speak on the play, Director Angela Paskett, as well as actors Karson Anderson and Natalie Pace sat down with Castle Country Radio to provide some cast member insight into the production.
Opening our conversation, Paskett explained why she chose ‘Les Miserables’ as the fall production,” We were looking at it last spring when I looked at who I would have this coming fall in our theater program. It was one of those, we do it this year or who knows when we’ll be able to do this show.”
Preparation for the play has been a long process, with Paskett stating,” We started back in spring, working on all of the details and what we needed to put together, and started gathering ideas, set pieces and set ideas. We’ve had a lot of help on this one. A lot of our set pieces came from the community theater in the area, and we’ve built a lot, and we’ve pulled in a lot, and the kids have brought stuff … I have loved this show for 30 years, and so I’m excited to be able to do it and to get it to our community.”
Paskett also spoke on what she viewed as the most challenging aspect of the performance,” this is a show with very specific props and sets. Also getting the students to understand the period, and the personalities of the characters that they’re trying to portray, the story that we’re trying to tell, and just trying to get that depth to show on stage.”
We then spoke to Anderson, who plays the role of Javert in the musical. We asked first what it has been like for him to engross himself in the part,” It’s honestly been a great experience for me. In the past handful of other productions I’ve done, I’ve always been the good guy. And so it’s been really interesting to dive into the character of a villain. And personally, for me, I think Javert has one of the biggest character arcs in the show and it’s cool to be able to play and do justice to both sides of him.”
Anderson also spoke on why community members should come out and see the performance,” I would just say it’s a spectacular show, and there’s so many touching and cool moments. And that it’s 1000% worth the watch.”
Following Anderson’s remarks we sat down with Pace, who plays the part of Cosette. She first explained what the most challenging part of prepping for the production has been,” So for me, it’s been having drill every single morning and then coming to or going to physical therapy, coming to school, and then going right to play practice. So I’m here at the school from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then I leave for a minute, come back and I’m here till 9 p.m. … that’s been hard, but it’s been amazing because there’s so many people here that support each of us and they all want us to succeed so much.”
Pace also spoke on her role as Cosette,” When I was younger, I grew up listening to ‘Les Miserables’ in the car, and Cosette was my least favorite character at the time. And I was shocked when I got it, because like I said, it wasn’t my favorite, and I didn’t understand the character.” She continued,” But the more you look into the story, you realize that Cosette has a lot of depth to her. And she might not come across as the most standout character, but she goes from situation to situation, and she handles it with grace. And she’s in the hardest parts of her childhood, her mother died, and she was left to people who didn’t want her. She grows up to be a beautiful young woman, and she’s very successful. And I just love being able to take that confidence.”
Emery High’s production of ‘Les Miserables’ will run on Nov. 21, 22, 23 and 25 in the EHS auditorium. All shows will start at 7 p.m. except for Nov. 23, which will also feature a 1 p.m. matinee performance. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door.