LCHS theatre group takes on ‘Les Mis’

By Gina Smith
March 14, 2012

The theater group at Lincoln County High School, under the direction of Pete Peterson, is not afraid of a challenge. They are displaying that this week as they put on the timeless hit,??Les Mis?rables”.

This play is a musical with no spoken dialogue throughout the entire play. Assistant director, Jacob Lester, has played a key part in helping the students learn the music. Many involved are also members of the band and choir.

In addition to the musical challenges the play presents, its timeline spans approximately 60 years. Each actor not only has to go through many wardrobe changes, but makeup changes as well. Peterson commented, ?We are aging our actors and actresses, so the makeup changes are a challenge in a short amount of time within the play.?

As the cast and director prepared for this challenging production, frustrations and doubts set in. There was a turning point in the preparation where decisions had to be made. Peterson asked the kids, ?Can we do this? Have we bitten off more than we can chew??

?That is when the kids really turned around and said, ?No, Mr. Peterson, you are wrong! We can do this!?? According to Peterson, this was the moment when the students really came together to pull off the production.

Senior Steven Freitas, who plays the villain Thenardiers, expressed, ?It means a lot to end my high school career with such a huge play. I get to play the villain. I am very excited.? Freitas goes on to say, ?Les Mis is a lot of work. I can tell you that right now. Having Mr. Peterson as the director has been fun. He is a fun guy, and he makes everything fun along with the hard work.?

Peterson reports, ?The show is one of the Christ-driven plays outside organized faith. It shows good conquering evil. It?s all about redemption and love. Les Mis?rables?literally translates into miserable people. ?The lesson is: If you choose Good, things turn around for you.?

The initial reviews of the play are that it is an incredible performance. With Monday night?s dress rehearsal coming off without a hitch, the production looks to be a major hit and source of enjoyment to Lincoln County.

The show is nightly Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with an additional matin?e?showing Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. Admission is $7 per person; no children under five, please.