The students of Farmingdale High School recently transformed the auditorium into 19th century Paris, France, for their portrayal of Victor Hugo’s classic tale Les Misérables.
First adapted for the Broadway stage in 1987, the musical—composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg—has been revived twice in recent years; first in 2012 as a major motion picture and again in 2014 on Broadway.
Les Misérables follows the life of Jean Valjean, a man sentenced to 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread.
Valjean turns his life into doing good for everyone he meets including Fantine, a factory worker and her daughter, Cosette, as well as Inspector Javert, the man who has hunted him all of his life.
Under the direction of Jessica Mischke and Beth Swansen; set directors Bill Buchholz and Joseph Bianca and orchestra director Sam Gelfer, students with the cast, crew and pit orchestra worked tirelessly to put on the play.
During the performances, on Nov. 21 and 22, audience members sat back in enjoyment of the students’ rendition of classics such as, “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Who am I,” “Master of the House,” “One Day More,” and “On My Own.” Several audience members said that the performance was so outstanding they thought they were watching a Broadway production.
