Furman’s Pauper Players present “Les Miserables”

Furman University’s Pauper Players will present the epic musical, “Les Miserables,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 at the university’s McAlister Auditorium.

The international hit musical, directed by Rebecca Shield ’14, will feature nearly 80 Furman students participating as cast, crew, singers or musicians.  The 20-piece orchestra will perform on stage alongside a large choir, keeping the music as the focus of the production.

“The music is the blood that gives life to this timeless story of love, grace, and redemption,” said Shield, who spent last summer on Broadway as a summer production associate with Disney Theatrical Group in New York City. “The score is absolutely beautiful; we’re using an updated score from 2010, one that most people haven’t heard live.”

“Les Miserables” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International and features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, with an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer.

One of the most popular musicals in the world, “Les Miserables,” adapted from Victor Hugo’s famous novel, follows Jean Valjean’s lifelong struggle for redemption as he is pursued by the relentless police inspector Javert during some of the most tumultuous years in French history.

The Pauper Players’ production features Alex Mason ’16 as Jean Valjean, Josh Thomason ’14 as Javert, Jacqueline Abernathy ’15 as Fantine, Caroline LeGrand ’17 and Kerby Baier ’17 as Cosette, Ben Keiper ’14 and Morgan Voke as Monsieur and Madame Thenardier, Casey Fowler ’16 as Eponine, and Cody Evins ’16 as Enjolras. Andrew Cooter, a fifth-grader at Christ Church Episcopal School, plays the role of young revolutionary Gavroche. Music direction is by Philip Reed ’15 and concert master is James Masannotti ‘15.

Les Miserables follows the Players’ successful student-run production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Company, in September. One of the goals of the Players is to provide motivated students with the opportunity to sharpen their skills in leadership, communication, performance, cooperation and responsibility.

Furman’s Pauper Players was founded in 1992 by Mary Mitchell Campbell ’96, now a New York City-based music director who recently served as conductor and music director for the Broadway shows, Big Fish and The Addams Family.

General admission tickets for this weekend’s production of Les Miserables are $10 for adults and $5 for Furman students, faculty, staff, children and seniors. Purchase tickets at the Timmons Arena box office or through Ticketmaster at www.timmonsarena.com.