Wright State prepares ‘Les Misérables’

Excerpt

Do you hear the people sing? Wright State University hopes so to soaring degrees when it delivers the local collegiate premiere of “Les Misérables,” Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s 1987 Tony Award-winning pop opera phenomenon adapted from Victor Hugo’s epic 1862 novel.

Beginning performances next Thursday, “Les Misérables” tells a sweeping account of desperation, heartbreak, hope and loss in 19th-century France centered on ex-convict Jean Valjean’s battle with ruthless Inspector Javert.

As Valjean and Javert continuously collide, jealous factory workers, cynical prostitutes, treacherous thieves, rebellious students and more create a compellingly vivid portrait of humanity. The musical, currently revived on Broadway featuring WSU alumna Heidi Giberson, is heightened by a terrific score including “A Heart Full of Love,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Master of the House” and “On My Own.”

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