Les Miserables: The Concert

For one weekend this summer, it seemed as if the theatre stars aligned and showed high favor upon the amazing artists and musicians performing a vocal concert of the award-winning musical, Les Miserables. This amazing concert was organized as a fundraiser for the venerable Strauss Theatre Center and collaboratively combined the talents of musicians and performers from both Strauss and ULM. Based on a novel by Victor Hugo and set in pre-revolutionary France, the concert version was performed to two packed houses at ULM’s Brown Auditorium and was directed by Jason Rinehart, ULM’s assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands, and conducted by Deborah Chandler, ULM’s director of choral activities.

 Les Miserables: The Concert included brilliant and inspired vocal performances by Russ Givens as Jean Valjean, Hunt Neely as Javert, Brittany Paulk as Cossett, Lauren Cross and Baylee Regan who were double cast as the young Cossett, Claire Givens as Eponine, Katie Anzalone as Fantine, Nathanael Medlin as Marius, Jace Cascio as Gavroche, Ben McQuillin as Enjoiras, Dan Phillips as the Bishop, Caleb Wilkins as the Pimp, Sarah Younger and Robin Jordan as Lovely Ladies, Allison Friloux as the Old Woman and Giuseppe Riviella as Bamatabois. McKenna Rae Giovingo and Strauss Theatre’s newly appointed artistic director Corey Trahan delighted audiences with their show-stealing roles as Madame and Monsieur Thenadier.

The men’s chorus included Christopher Domingue, Bruce Stanton, Josh Fowler, Bob Collier, Daniel Steffins, Caleb Wilkins, Robert McClandish, William McClandish, Gray Hall and Giuseppe Riviella.

The women’s chorus included Melissa Cross, Laine Farber, Quinn Warner, Stephanie Gifford, Cindy Scott, Laura Arrington, Randi Domingue, Allison Newton, Victoria Steffins, Laura Smith, Courtney Williams, Maggie Rocket, Nancy Miller, Sarah Young, Robin Jordan, Kylie Pitman and Priscilla Wilkins.

Don’t miss out on Strauss Theatre Center’s incredible season! Get your season tickets today! First up is Dolly Parton’s  “9 to 5,” directed by Gayle Frick. This ode to working women takes the stage Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-4. For more information, call 318.323.6681.