On Nov. 4, DeWitt High School performing arts took the stage for its production of Les Misérables.
Seventy cast and crew members are took on the powerful and moving plot.
Senior Bryce Debri is playing the main role of Jean Valjean. Debri said, “I don’t have any pre-show routine or superstitions. I just come in mentally focused. I continue to run through all the music and put in the hours of practice.”
The role is demanding and Debri has been preparing for this moment for quite some time. “We started practicing for this musical at the end of August. So, we have had a decent amount of time to get everything together and feel confident that we’re portraying the powerful music correctly.”
Senior Lauren Schorfhaar plays Cosette and said she has been working on was her singing. “I’ve been taking voice lessons for the past few months to help prepare for this role. I’m working on my range a lot. At one point, I had to restore my voice and I didn’t talk for two days.”
The play is based on a long and intricate French novel. The main theme is following a transformation from evil to good.
Last year ,DeWitt performed Beauty and the Beast, but because of COVID-19, it was fully masked and used a smaller cast. “It’s been great to see all my classmates at practice,” said Schorfhaar. “We’re finally able to perform in front of a full audience, and we have been working so hard. It’s a difficult show and we are very excited to sing our hearts out.”
Behind the magic is Meghan Eldred-Woolsey, who is directing her eighth production at DeWitt High School. She is also responsible for casting and hiring all positions.
“Les Misérables has been a more demanding show compared to what we have done in the past. It’s definitely darker, but I’m proud of the students for being completely mature. They’re taking the acting and the singing seriously,” said Eldred-Woolsey.
She said, “it doesn’t take a lot to motivate the students. They’re excited to perform. They signed up for it so they should always come in ready to go. I want them to be the best they can be on stage. I see the musical as a team sport because they are all working together to put on a good performance.”
Performances are Thursday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., Saturday Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at https://dvmboosters.seatyourself.biz