YMTC presents epic musical "Les Miserables" July 19-28

As the grand finale of its 14th year of producing highly-regarded regional theater, Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC) will stage the epic musical, Les Misérables. The show opens Friday, July 19, at the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater. Its run consists of two 2:00 p.m. matinees (7/21, 7/28) and four 7:00 p.m. performances (7/19, 7/20, 7/26, 7/27).

Based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, Les Misérables is a moving portrayal of social injustice in 19th-century France. The story centers on Jean Valjean, a prisoner who breaks his parole to start a new life. His impassioned struggle for freedom and redemption involves a host of memorable characters who support him or pose a threat. Les Misérables premiered in London in 1985 and has run there continuously since then. It remains the world’s longest running musical.

“Les Misérables is an especially exciting production for us,” says Director Jennifer Boesing. “Many of our alumni are returning to perform in the cast or work alongside the directors and the design team. At YMTC, we offer an exceptional learning environment in which older students—often ones who’ve grown up in our company—come back to mentor younger ones. Les Misérables is a fabulous ensemble show for this kind of cast. It weaves together more than a hundred characters over a span of nearly twenty years.”

Music Director David Möschler adds, “As an epic musical, Les Misérables ranks among those at the top, largely because of its score. Completely sung-through, the entire story is revealed through complex recitative solos, duets, trios, and large ensemble numbers. Many scholars label Les Misérables as a pop-operetta or mega-musical. A production this large requires a strong orchestral component, so I'm thrilled to be conducting a live 30-piece orchestra. It includes nine high school and college students in our advanced Pit Orchestra Apprenticeship Program (POAP) being mentored alongside local professionals. Les Misérables is shaping up to be one of our best productions yet!"

Les Misérables features a cast of over 50 performing arts students (ages 12 to 24) working both on the stage as performers and backstage as technical theater apprentices from cities throughout the Bay Area. Performers from El Cerrito in the production include Z Hansen (Jean Valjean) and Asia Pires (Ensemble). In addition, from nearby communities: Grace Connallon (Ensemble) from Kensington; Toby Echeverria (Enjolras) and Tori Vance (Ensemble) from Albany; and Tabitha Reid (Ensemble) from Richmond. They are led by a team of professional directors, designers, and musicians, including Director Boesing, Music Director Möschler, and Choreographer Pam Crane.

Tickets are available online at www.ymtcbayarea.org and at the door one hour before curtain. Ticket prices are $16–32, with discounts for students, seniors, military, teachers, and groups. YMTC offers one “pay-what-you-will” performance to provide affordable musical theater to everyone in the Bay Area community. This performance will be on Friday, 7/26, at 7:00 p.m., when seats will be offered for cash-only at the box office. Reserved seats can still be purchased online.