YMTC to Present Epic Musical—Les Misérables

To conclude its 14th year of training young theater artists, Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC) will stage the epic musical Les Misérables. This production features a live 30-piece orchestra and a cast of 40 performing arts students (ages 13 to 24) from cities throughout the Bay Area. These include seven actors from Piedmont: Charlotte Levy as young Cosette, Kay Sibal as Cosette, Miranda Long as Gavroche, Ben Stormer as Joly, Jonah Broscow as Grantaire, and Maggie Lucas and Jacob Kwong as ensemble members. Also from Piedmont are two technical apprentices, Noah Kwong and Katherine Toto. Opening night is Friday, July 19, 7:00 p.m. at El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater. The show’s 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).

YMTC bridges the gap between high school plays and professional musical theater. Staffed with professional directors, choreographers, musicians, technicians, and even dialect coaches, this nonprofit organization offers students the opportunity for authentic, comprehensive theater experience—from audition through performance. YMTC students include not only actors/singers but also those aspiring to roles in technical theater or in the pit orchestra. These students take on challenging, sophisticated musical and dramatic themes, and the results are exceptional.

Les Misérables is based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel—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. As a musical, 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 with the directors and designers. 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. It will be spectacular!”

Music Director David Möschler adds, “As an epic musical, Les Misérables ranks 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. Les Misérables is shaping up to be one of our best productions yet!"

Tickets are available online at https://www.ymtcbayarea.org or 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.