Casting for Les Miserables at Imagination Theater
Remember that the show is a
complete “sing through.” There is no
spoken dialog. The cast of Les
Miserables will be living in an alternate universe where singing is the
primary means of vocal communication rather than speech. The show is not a typical musical where the
characters speak between musical numbers as a lead-in to the musical
numbers. Much like an opera, everyone
the audience sees will be singing… advancing the plot lines in song with
characterization, blocking, business, and movement. This type of staging will be challenging yet
provides an opportunity to push creative and performance boundaries. Every
role will be demanding, require full character development and regular vocal
practice.
There are many roles to be filled
to be able to perform Les Miserables
with the richness, and “reverence” that this legendary production
requires.
Adult Themes
Victor Hugo wrote this saga with
the intention of bringing the plight of France’s poor in the early 1800’s to
the attention of the world. Even though
there are dark moments in the show that deal with abuse, violence, the
hardships of life on the streets, poverty, abandonment and despair, we will
present Les Miserables with our usual
commitment to the physical and emotional safety of and respect for the show’s
participants. The story will be
discussed and explained at length with the cast in initial rehearsals. Violent and suggestive situations on stage
will be handled with appropriate discretion.
We plan to coordinate group rehearsals to isolate our younger members
from as much of the performance of difficult material as possible. Naturally, we look to parents of younger cast
members to be responsible for dealing with sensitive themes with their
children!
A Unique Opportunity
It is quite probable that Les Miserables will only be available
for performance by community theaters for a very short time before it is again
restricted. For most of us, irrespective
of age, this is likely the only opportunity we will have to be involved in this
epic show, the most successful musical of all time.
We suggest that you fully commit yourself
to being part of the show no matter what role you play. We are certain that opening night will be
powerful for the whole the cast and audience of Les Miserables at Imagination Theater!
Specifics for our casting
1.
Adult Male
Ensemble Roles.
Many of the male roles will be
doubled.
There are minor named roles
including The Bishop, two Policemen;
Grantaire, Combeferre, Feuilly, Coufeyrac, Joly, Jean Prouvaire, Lesgles
(rebel students); Bamatabois (attempts
to purchase Fantine’s services), Fauchelevant (villager who falls under a
cart), Champmathieu (falsely arrested as
Valjean); Brujon, Claquesous and
Montparnasse (members of Thenardier’s gang).
Other male ensemble roles include
the chain gang, unemployed workers, factory workers, members of Thenardier’s
gang, street beggars, the rebellious students, citizens of Paris, soldiers,
customers at Thenardier’s Inn, and wedding guests.
2.
Adult Female
Ensemble Roles.
Many of the female roles will be
doubled.
Roles include factory workers, ladies
of the night, street beggars, citizens of Paris, customers at Thenardier’s Inn,
and wedding guests.
3.
Teenage
Girls.
Roles include street beggars,
members of citizen families, helpers for the student rebels. Some will be ladies of the night.
4.
Teenage
Boys.
Roles include street beggars,
members of citizen families, helpers for the student rebels, soldiers.
5.
Younger Boys
and Girls. (Other than Young Cosette, Young Eponine, and Gavroche)
Roles include street beggars and
orphans, helpers for the student rebels, members of citizen families. This is not a children’s production and the
roles for children under age 14 are limited.
We will be looking at these cameo parts strictly as added color, and
consider them to be “training” opportunities for future shows at IT.