HOW TO BUILD A MUSICAL: BEHIND THE SCENES

The compelling and iconic Les Misérables, based upon Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, was performed for sold-out houses on February 21st through 25th in the Black Box Theater.

It was a stunning achievement – from vocals and music, to the 19th-century set, props and costumes. Each evening the audience was moved by the production’s message about the power of hope and persistence, and each performance closed with thunderous and heartfelt standing ovations.

Director Jennifer Guarino said that, for her generation, Les Misérables is a show that made one fall in love with theater, and that she wanted to share this experience with the CA community. As a large sung-through musical, it is a feat to prepare and perform, but she knew that CA had the actors, singers, musicians and crew to make it possible. The talented seniors involved in the production, both on and off stage, were leaders in every step of the process as they set goals, encouraged the cast and crew, and mentored those new to theater. In all, 60 students participated in the production with support from a host of faculty, staff, and parents.

Percussionist Evan Bajohr ’18, a CA pit band veteran with three musicals under his belt, said that the music was especially challenging for Les Misérables since the ensemble “played until the final bows” which meant over two hours of sustained performance. Evan played drums and other percussion instruments, as well as wind chimes, which were used during scene changes to create a dreamlike state. He appreciated opportunities he has had to participate in regional and All-State concerts which exposed him to percussion accessories. “Working with other musicians in the pit is the best,” he said. “Every time we practiced together the music got tighter and tighter.” Freshman Martina Li, new to pit band performance, agreed. She was anxious at first, never having performed with a pit band, but she wanted to improve her skills on the piano and learn more about collaboration with vocalists. She said that the music was difficult at times, but that everyone in the band encouraged her. She learned a lot about resilience, friendship and joy during the months of rehearsals.

For senior Amalia Gutierrez, working on the set crew was a change for her since she had been on stage for many plays during her years at CA. Amalia said that when you are on stage, you take for granted that tech works since your focus is on lines, blocking and acting. In tech, however, you take nothing for granted. She found that making it all work behind the scenes was incredibly rewarding. Amalia created the wedding cake for the marriage of Cosette and Marius. She worked with a drill and a glue gun to join three hatboxes, and then painted layers of faux frosting on the hatbox cake adding plastic flowers. Since toy guns were needed for the barricade scene, Amalia and the crew worked with the mishmash of wooden toy guns and plastic water guns they were able to find. The guns were taped and painted to look like 19th century firearms, and the triggers also had to be taped down so that they would not click inadvertently backstage.

Chantelle Gao ’18, worked with faculty member Christine Monahan to design the French 19th-century background and garden. Chantelle said that most people associate the Eiffel Tower with Paris, but of course, the Eiffel Tower was not part of the French landscape until after World War II. To convey Paris, the crew decided to create gardens and lattices. Since the set pieces were so large, painters cleverly used bok choy, cut in half and dipped in paint, to simulate roses.Painted shower scrubbers added depth and greenery. As much of the action takes place in the evening, large background areas were painted in layers of deep blue with shimmery gold to represent stars.

Teachers also creatively tapped into the rich experience of Les Misérables. When English Department Chair Marc Aronson’s IB classes were studying Katherine Boo’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Behind the Beautiful Forevers, he asked how the current situation in India compared to the conditions before the French Revolution. In her work, Boo asks, “Why don’t more of our unequal societies explode?” That quote became a springboard for discussions about the parallels between the American and French revolutions – the first attempt in France having failed as students witnessed in Les Misérables. History teacher Caitlin Charette’s students were also studying the French Revolution. Prior to seeing the musical, they read documents from the revolution, debated the issues represented in the uprising, and wrote letters illustrating perspectives from the time period. “Having the opportunity to see the musical deepened their sense of empathy,” she said. Laura Longacre, Language Department Chair, asked her French students to compare selections of Hugo’s novel to the lyrics from the musical. She said, “Several of the cast members were in the class, so it was a perfect fit.”

Les Misérables was truly a remarkable CA community experience. Actors and musicians brought the lyrics to life, those behind the scenes recreated 19th-century France, parents and faculty jumped in lending a hand with everything from snacks to make-up, and faculty brought the lessons into their classrooms. Director Jennifer Guarino, on behalf of the cast and crew, wrote that it was their hope this musical would inspire audiences as much as it inspired them throughout the months of rehearsal.

The production truly inspired us all.