Stephen Fiol, director of Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company’s upcoming summer-ending production of Les Misérables, has announced his cast list, and it’s a doozy. Nearly every role has an understudy, and some are double-cast, and with good reason. In a show this big, with this much bombast and story to tell, you need a deep bench.
The international smash-hit (based on Victor Hugo’s thrilling novel) may be the most popular musical in the world and really needs no synopsizing, but here goes:
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long.
The Cast List is as follows, with understudies indicated:
- Jean Valjean – Kyle Pollio / Edward Brennan (u/s)
- Javert – Timothy Renner / Steve Wachala (u/s)
- Fantine – Bethany Stiles / Jesse Debolt (u/s)
- Thenardier – James C. Dobbs / Craig Smith (u/s)
- Mme. Thenardier – LaDonna Wilson / Laura Welle (u/s)
- Marius – Corbin Knight-Dixon / Jaise Allen (u/s)
- Cosette – Caitlin Caruso-Dobbs / Kate Myers (u/s)
- Eponine – Marah Sotelo / Arianne Cohen (u/s)
- Enjolras – Edward Brennan / Corbin Knight-Dixon (u/s)
- Young Cosette – Ana Almeida / Hannah Kittivanichkulkrai (double cast)
- Young Eponine – Emi Loucks / Paulina Bucaro (double cast)
- Gavroche – Kyle Klein / Ruth Zielke (double cast)
- Bishop of Digne – Jim Mayer
Named Student Revolutionaries:
- Combeferre – Ian Lee
- Feuilly – Logan Colla
- Courfeyrac – Kyle Ayers
- Joly – Macauley Allen
- Prouvairev – Kevin Hodge
- Lesgles – Trey Ball
Thenardier’s Gang:
- Montparnasse – Scott Drone-Silvers
- Babet – Craig Smith
- Brujon – Philip Meadows
- Claquesous – Brent Reifstack
Children’s Chorus:
- Ana Almeida
- Paulina Bucaro
- Hannah Kittivanichkulkrai
- Kyle Klein
- Emi Loucks
- Timothy Purnell
- Ruth Zielke
Dancers:
- Wedding Waltzers: Arianne Cohen, Kate Myers, Molly Schneman, Anna Summers, Chloe Ward, Madeline Whitesell, Kyle Ayers, Logan Colla, Andrew Conrad, Tanner Laughlin, Ian Lee, Brent Reifstack
- Lovely Ladies (Prostitutes): Arianne Cohen, Katie Craft, Kari Croop, Mary Ellison, Kinzie Ferguson, Jenny Gleason, Hridi Kamal, HeatherAnn Layman, Kate Myers, Monica Samii, Molly Schneman, Anna Summers, Chloe Ward, Laura Welle, Madeline Whitesell, Ranae Wilson
The production will run August 1–11, and more information is available at the CUTC website. Check back for more coverage of this exciting show.