Greensburg Salem thespians resume in-person performances with ‘Les Miserables’
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Greensburg Salem returns to the theater to perform its high school musical beginning Friday, with an abridged version of “Les Miserables.”
The production also can be streamed from home.
“Everyone is excited to have live theater coming back,” said Sue Glowa, who is directing the musical.
Because of concerns related to the covid-19 pandemic, the school’s 2021 musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” was available only as a streamed video.
Initial preparations for this year’s show were challenging, Glowa said, since some participants were subject to covid-related quarantines.
Then, she said, “For the last two months, it’s been back the way it was before (the pandemic).”
The school edition of the Broadway hit musical has been shortened with trims. But, Glowa said, “It’s still about two and a half hours long.”
The cast of 35, including five elementary students, will cover about 70 roles in the large production. “Some of them are playing three or four characters,” Glowa said. “Some of them may have a one-line or two-line solo.”
Seniors Connor Herrington and Elijah McBride are playing the respective key roles of protagonist Jean Valjean, who breaks his parole after years of unjust imprisonment in 19th century France, and police inspector Javert, who relentlessly pursues him.
A high tenor, Herrington noted the vocals in the play are “almost operatic,” putting him to the test as he works to “put my own spin on them and act at the same time” while “trying to focus on getting the right notes out.”
Both leading cast members are veterans of productions at school and in local community theater, but Javert is the first antagonist McBride has played.
“It’s a change of pace,” he said. “It took me a while to find my inner Javert.”
To help properly attire the cast, the production staff borrowed costumes from the local Stage Right! performing arts school, the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center and Derry Area High School, which previously staged “Les Miserables.”
“The theater community always jumps in and helps people out,” said Glowa.
Performances in the high school auditorium are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Masks are recommended but not required.
Tickets cost $12 for reserved seating, $10 for general admission and $20 for the streaming option. Search for “Greensburg Salem” at showtix4u.com to purchase online. Tickets also will be available at the door.