A cast of 44 performers and a 21-piece orchestra will showcase the thrilling songs and epic story of “Les Miserables” when Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park presents the Boublil and Schönberg musical, based on Victor Hugo’s riveting novel, July 26-Aug. 11 at the Deerfield Performing Arts Center.
Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, plus 7 p.m. Aug. 8.
Director Scott Shallenbarger said that the biggest challenge of directing this musical “in the most beautiful of ways, is honoring such a brilliant work. Not only honoring the organic truth of the story but finding ways to make it creatively organic to the company while not taking away those events and moments that an audience can’t wait to see because it’s iconic.”
Shallenbarger said that he has the performers to make that happen.
“The cast is so passionate, vocally talented, hard-working,” he declared.
They were selected from a huge talent pool. “We had 650 people audition,” Shallenbarger said.
He added that the producers, the designers, and everyone else associated with this production have “a real authentic passion for this piece.”
The theater company received an Exceptional License from Producer Cameron Mackintosh to produce this show. Generally, it is only approved for productions in London or New York, or for touring productions. Shallenbarger noted that Mackintosh was partly influenced in that decision when he learned that proceeds of this production will benefit the Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund.
Wesly Anthony Clergé plays Jean Valjean, who spent years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread.
“Jean Valjean is a man who is one of the best redemption stories I’ve had the privilege of playing,” Clergé said. “He faces a lot of conflict early in his life and he realizes being a good man and being a righteous man is something that is hard to do but it is possible with enough strength and fortitude of character.”
The actor praised “Les Miz,” saying, “The show is timeless. It is a show that speaks to the nature of the human experience.”
He noted that one distinction of this production is that “I’m only the second man of color to portray Jean Valjean.”
The role of Fantine is played by Justine Cameron. It is one of her dream roles, she declared.
“I think Fantine is a hopeful person who believes that the world can be good,” Cameron said. “But throughout her story she gets torn down by her surroundings and the people that she encounters. She has a lot of life and love to her and hope for the world. But people’s greed and society can really teardown your hopes for life.”
It’s a challenging role for an actor because Fantine goes through so many changes as her life spirals downward.
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Cameron believes that the overall message of the show is that “even though people are going through hard things, there’s still hope and love to give,” she said.
Jake Ziman plays Marius, who he described as “extremely driven and extremely loyal to his friends.”
Marius is the only one of his group of friends who survives, the actor said. “He goes through such a journey,” Ziman said. His challenge after the war ends is “figuring out where he belongs, what he should be doing with his life.”
The performer believes this is the right role for him because “I really relate to his big heart. He loves everyone he comes in contact with.”
Ziman spoke about the difficulty of the score but, like the other actors, praised Aaron Kaplan, the music director and conductor. “He’s done an incredible job teaching and honoring the score with so much intention and so much passion for the music and for how it should be done,” Ziman said.
Shallenbarger said, “My favorite lyric in the show is, ‘To love another person is to see the face of God.’ Especially against the backdrop of the Highland Park shooting, it reminds that things that are often dark in our world can not diminish ultimately the potential for love, compassion, and empathy.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
‘Les Miserables’
When: July 26-Aug. 11
Where: Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park at Deerfield Performing Arts Center, 1959 Waukegan Ave., Deerfield
Tickets: $30-$60
Information: 708-469-6269; uptownhp.org