Les Misérables Playbill by Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Notre Dame High School proudly presents

Notre Dame High School

LES MISÉRABLES

SCHOOL EDITION

A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG

Based on the novel by VICTOR HUGO

Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG

Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER

Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL

Additional material by JAMES FENTON Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON

Original London production directed and adapted by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD

Original London production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

School Edition specially adapted and licensed by MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH

Les Misérables School Edition is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.co.uk • www.mtishows.com • www.mtishows.com.au

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Order of Contents

About the Director

Synopsis

Scenes

Cast of Characters

Orchestra

Credits

Special Thanks

Past Notre Dame Musicals

Senior Bios

Shoutouts

Ads

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About the Director

Louis Gibilisco has done a lot of "stuff" as a performer and teacher, but he is most proud of his accomlishments as a husband and father. For the past 35 years, Mr. G has been privileged to be the Director of the Performing Arts Department at Notre Dame High School. He feels honored to have his wife, Debby, as choreographer with him every step of the way.

The Gs take pride in watching all of the Notre Dame Performing Arts programs grow and flourish, and have flourished a little themselves with their greatest productions: their children Gigi, Jaime, and Jenna; their "new daughters" Helena and Jill; and their grandchildren Louie, Jace, Georgia, and Lilly!

From the Gibilisco Family to yours, God Bless, enjoy the show, and a BIG thank you to all of our alumni who have been part of the Performing Arts Program over the last 35 years. We love and appreciate all of you!

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Les Misérables Synopsis

PROLOGUE - A chain gang is working in the scorching sun in Toulon, France, in 1815. Javert tells one of the prisoners, Jean Valjean, that his parole is about to begin. Valjean has been in prison for 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread, and for 14 more years for attempting to escape. Javert reminds him that he will always be marked as a thief by the yellow ticket he must always carry. Valjean explains that he only stole the loaf of bread because his sister's child was near death and his family was starving. Javert warns that he will watch Valjean in the future, waiting for him to break the law again. Valjean quickly learns that because he is branded as a thief, he cannot make a living or find a place to stay. In the town of Digne, a Bishop allows Valjean to stay in his house overnight. The bitter Valjean steals some silver from the Bishop and is questioned by constables. Valjean lies and says the Bishop gave him the silver. The Bishop not only backs up his lie, but gives him two silver candlesticks, asking that he use the silver to become an honest man. Valjean is overwhelmed by his kindness, and he realizes the Bishop has given him a chance to reclaim his soul. He decides to tear up his yellow ticket and begin a new life with a new identity.

ACT ONE - We jump to 1823, in the factory owned by Jean Valjean under his new identity of M. Madeleine. A group of workers at the factory express their despair with their impoverished lives. They gossip about the foreman and one of the female workers, Fantine, who has resisted his advances. They grab a letter away from Fantine and learn that she has a child who lives with innkeepers in another town. Valjean, now Mayor as well as the owner of the factory, allows his foreman to handle the matter. The women insist that Fantine be fired because of her loose morals. Although she explains that she is the sole supporter of her child because her lover abandoned her, the foreman fires her. Fantine wanders to the red light district, where she finds herself among sailors and prostitutes. She sells her necklace and her hair, and then becomes a prostitute to earn money for her daughter. When she refuses to allow a street idler to purchase her services, he is so enraged that he tells Javert, claiming she attacked him. Valjean comes to Fantine's aid and learns that she is only in her present circumstance because he turned his back on her at his factory. When he realizes that she and her daughter are innocent victims, he demands that Javert release her. Suddenly, an old man is pinned down by a runaway cart and Valjean saves him by lifting the cart. Javert says that he has seen that kind of strength only once before, in a prisoner at Toulon. However, he knows that the Mayor cannot be the individual he is describing because Javert has recently rearrested that man for a minor crime. The true Valjean realizes that he will not be able to live with himself if he does not confess his identity and spare the falsely accused man. He appears at the trial and confesses his real identity in front of Javert.

Fantine is ill and in the hospital. Valjean escapes Javert to come to her, and promises to protect her daughter, Cosette. Fantine dies believing that he will keep his promise. As Valjean sits grieving, Javert appears. Valjean begs Javert to allow him to find Cosette and leave her in safety before he is jailed, but Javert refuses. Invoking his promise to Fantine, Valjean overcomes Javert and escapes. Young Cosette is sweeping at the Thénardier's Inn when the evil Mme. Thénardier scolds her, saying that the money her mother sends doesn't pay for her keep. She praises her own daughter, Éponine, and sends Cosette out to the well in the woods for water where Valjean finds her. While the Tavern guests arrive, Valjean appears with Cosette, and tells the Thénardiers that he has come to take her away. The Thénardiers extract a settlement from him for Fantine's debts. Valjean promises Cosette they will find a better life together.

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The scene shifts to the streets of Paris in 1832. A group of students led by Enjolras accuse the nation's leaders of ignoring the poor. Thénardier has moved his operations to Paris. He has enlisted his daughter, Éponine, now a young woman, into his illicit activities. Éponine is in love with Marius, one of Enjolras' friends. However, Marius does not return her affection. Valjean and Cossette appear, giving money to the poor. Marius sees Cossette for the first time and falls in love with her. Valjean is recognized by Thénardier, and tells Javert. Éponine realizes that the girl is Cosette, and Marius begs her to help him find her. Although she is filled with jealousy, Éponine agrees. The students are meeting to plan an insurrection, but Marius is unable to think about anything but Cosette. Éponine brings Marius to Cosette, and waits outside as he expresses his love for her. Éponine sees her father approaching, and fears that Marius will think she set him up, so she screams to warn him. They run away and Marius realizes that Éponine has saved him. Valjean appears and Cosette lies, saying she screamed because she saw shadows on the wall. Valjean thinks it was Javert and says they must run away. Enjolras appears and enlists Marius in the insurrection. He joins since Cosette will now be lost to him forever.

ACT

TWO- The students build their barricade, and Javert, disguised as a revolutionary, offers to spy on the enemy. Marius spots Eponine and asks her to take a message to Cosette. Éponine gives Marius' letter to Valjean, who reads the letter and learns of Marius' feelings for Cosette. Back at the barricade, the students are told by the army to give up their guns or die. Javert pretends to be on the side of the students and encourages them to surrender. Gavroche reveals Javert's identity and they tie Javert up, planning to shoot him as a traitor. Éponine returns and Marius realizes that she has been wounded. Marius holds her tightly as she dies in his arms. Valjean appears and says he will help the students. As the battle begins, he shoots and skills a sniper. Having proven his loyalty to the students' cause, he asks if he can dispense with the spy Javert himself. Enjolras agrees and turns Javert over to Valjean, but Valjean releases him instead. Javert says as long as they are both alive, he will continue to pursue Valjean, but Valjean allows him to escape. The students need the bullets that lie in the street, and Marius volunteers to get them, but Valjean insists that he will go. Gavroche, a young boy, is quicker than both of them, and scrambles up the barricade, but is instantly killed. Marius says he doesn't care if he dies; life without Cosette will be meaningless. Realizing the depth of Marius devotion to Cosette, Valjean begs God to bring him home. The students refuse to surrender, but only Marius and Valjean survive. Valjean carries the wounded Marius into the sewers. Thénardier tries to rob Valjean and Marius, but he recognizes Valjean and runs away. Javert finds Valjean at the sewer exit, and begs him to allow him to take Marius to safety. He promises he will return after to surrender. Javert agrees. As he waits, Javert realizes Valjean has proven a man can be redeemed and should be forgiven. Doubt destroys Javert, and he jumps to his death.

At the hospital where Marius is recovering, he tells Cosette that he doesn't know who saved him at the barricade. Marius and Cosette plan to marry, and Marius invites Valjean to live with them. Valjean confesses his past to Marius, explaining that Cosette knows nothing about his real identity. He says he must keep running. Marius agrees never to tell Cosette the truth about her adoptive father's past. On their wedding day, Marius learns from the Thénardiers, in exchange for cash, that Valjean is the man who carried him through the sewers to safety. Valjean is alone in a room, dying. As he is having visions of Fantine, Marius and Cosette burst into his room. Marius tells Cosette that he now knows her father is the one who saved his life, and Valjean tells her the truth about her mother. As he dies, Valjean and the spirits of Fantine and Éponine remind Cosette of the everlasting power of love.

SCENES

Fantine's Death

SCENES

II

Scene XIX

Scene XX

The Barricade

Javert at the Barricade Scene XXI

The First Attack

Scene XXII

Scene XXIII

Scene XXIV

The Night

The Second Attack

The Final Battle

Scene XXV The Sewers

Scene XXVI

Javert's Suicide Scene XXVII

The Café Song Scene XXVIII

Marius and Cosette

Scene XXIX The Wedding Scene XXX

Epilogue Scene XXXI Bows Scene XXXII Playout

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

SHOUTOUTS

Ian - We are so proud of you! We loved watching your excitement for this show. Love Dad, Mom, and Ronan

Will- We are so proud of you! You always do a great job in your performances!! Love, Grandma, Aunt Chris, Uncle Butch, Uncle Dave, Aunt Patti, Cousin Therea and Dave

Shout out to Shaun Appert! Your talents amaze me. Playing cello on the keyboard is impressive! Bravo! Love, Mimi

We are so proud of you, Olivia! Your hard work and talent shine so bright on stage! Love, Mama, Nonna and Nonno

Break a leg in the Pit Ben! Congratulations to the entire pit, cast, and crew for such a successful show! Love Mom and Dad

Congratulations Rebecca G.! Your talent will surely shine in Les Mis! Great things are ahead. Enjoy your senior year. Jill and Steve.

Priscilla - You amaze us and we are so proud of you. Congratulations and break a leg! Love, Mom & Dad

Alex, we are so proud of your hard work behind the scenes! Love, Mom, Dad and Lucas

Sawyer - We are so proud of you! We love hearing you play the beautiful music of Les Mis! Congratulations!! Love, Mom, Dad, Emily, Tim, William, Isabel, Flynn, JP, Miley & Kirk

Wes S: So glad we became such good friends and I am so proud of your hard work. Had so much fun doing the shows with you and rooming in Disney. Can’t wait to see you shine next year. - Nick T

Nick T: Break legs at your last show at NDHS! We know you will make an amazing Marius. We are both so proud of you. Love you, Ryan & Jill

Catey G: I’ve had so much fun over the last four years being your friend and cast mate. You are so incredibly talented and great as Madame T.! Good luck next year. Love you - Nick T

Olivia D: Congrats on your first STAR role as Cosette. So proud of your hard work & so grateful I got to work with you in my last show. I am so excited to see you shine in your coming years at ND. Love you, Liv! - Nick T

Shaun - Congratulations on your putting music in the musical. You were a "key" contributor to its success! Grandma and Grandpa