Introducing the cast of “Les Misérables,” tickets for Spring Musical on sale March 16

INA, Ill. (Feb. 25, 2015) - Be prepared to experience life in 19^th century France with the cast and crew of the Rend Lake College Spring Musical “Les Misérables.” Tickets for the show go on sale Monday, March 16, with opening night set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the RLC Theatre.

Victor Hugo first published “Les Misérables” in 1862. The novel follows the struggles of several main characters between the years 1815 and 1832 - including Jean Valjean, the ex-convict; Javert, the police inspector; Fantine, a working-class woman; Cosette, the child of Fantine; Marius Pontmercy, a young law student; Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, a criminal husband and wife duo; Éponine, the eldest daughter of the Thénardiers; and Enjolras, the leader of the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris. The novel has been adapted many times in film and television, including the award-winning film of the same title in 2012.

Sara Alstat, RLC Associate Professor of Music, is the director of the spring musical. She said with a young, large cast and crew this year, she’s looking forward to showing off each student’s talents.

“We have many students this year who haven’t performed in a musical before, but I’m ecstatic to see them getting ready for opening night. The cast and crew this year is very large, but I’m already impressed by their dedication,” said Alstat. “‘Les Misérables’ can be a difficult show to perform, but I’m very happy to say it’s coming along nicely. We’re all enjoying working together to put on a great show, and we can’t wait to see the public in April.”

In addition to RLC music students, Thespians, and local community members, the musical will also feature children under the age of 16 as members of Gavroche’s gang. Gavroche will be portrayed by Ava Barker of Mt. Vernon.

“This show requires a huge ensemble with each cast member playing several characters, some as many as 10 or more,” added Alstat. “And there is no spoken dialogue in this show, which will be very challenging with such a large cast. Every character has to tell their story using their singing voice and that’s a huge challenge for any actor, especially actors at this age. This show is the first completely sung-through musical RLC has produced.”

Taking to the RLC stage for the first time will be Olivia Bailey of Mt. Vernon playing Fantine. Bailey said “Les Misérables” isn’t her first musical, having been a part of several at Mt. Vernon Township High School, but it is her first big role.

“I'm very humbled to have been chosen for the part of Fantine and honestly I am very excited for the whole show to come together. I'm very thankful for this experience,” said Bailey. “I wanted to play Fantine because she is one of my favorite characters in the show and I love all of her songs. This is going to be a great production. There are so many talented actors and singers in this show who have already put in so much hard work. You won't want to miss it.”

Fantine’s child, Cosette, will be portrayed by Sierra Harrell of Opdyke. An RLC veteran, Harrell will make her third appearance in a musical on the RLC stage. In the past, she’s played Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” and Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors,” as well as roles in the annual fall plays “Tom Sawyer” and “Treasure Island.”

Harrell said she’s looking forward to her role as Cosette as both a challenge and learning opportunity.

“The role is a bit of a challenge for me vocally. I’m definitely viewing this as a chance to learn and grow as both a singer and an actor,” said Harrell. “We have assembled a fantastic cast with a lot of talent and great voices. I don’t think there has been a single rehearsal where I haven’t gotten goose bumps after hearing some of these people sing. I can’t wait to share the stage with these awesome people and pour our hearts out to the audience in this tragic, inspiring, and captivating story. ‘Les Misérables’ is one of the world’s longest running musicals. This show will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love. This is not one you want to miss.”

The storyline also follows the young life of Marius Pontmercy who marries Cosette toward the end of the novel. Marius will be portrayed by Mt. Vernon’s Dalton Miller. This will be Miller’s second time on the RLC stage, having been cast as “Death” in the fall play “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” He is also looking forward to the opening show in April.

“I’m really excited to play the role of Marius and I’m really looking forward to getting into the emotion that this character brings to the stage. Not only does he fall in love, but he also goes through some pretty tough things throughout the musical,” said Miller. “I’m so happy Sara [Alstat] believes in me enough to make me a lead role. I would encourage the community to come because I’ve been in a lot of shows in my life, but I can honestly say that this show is going to be the best one I’ve ever been in. They will be missing out big time if they don't see this one.

In addition to Bailey, Harrell, and Miller, there are 36 actors, all of whom are expected to help build the set in addition to learning songs and dances:

• Jackson Adams (Mt. Vernon) - ensemble
• Gage Austin (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
• Vincent Bailey (Woodlawn) - ensemble
• Ava Barker (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche
• Alison Blair (Benton) - ensemble
• Alayna Boese (Carterville) as Eponine
• Tyler Bourland (Ina) - ensemble
• Bethaney Brown (Mt. Vernon) as Madame Thenardier
• Ben Chapman (Ava) - ensemble
• Barretta Chullen (Thompsonville) - ensemble
• Brendan Clark (Thompsonville) - ensemble
• Steven Crawford (West Frankfort) - ensemble
• Isabella Crites (Benton) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
• Jonathon Dauby (Springerton) - ensemble
• Keryn Fitzpatrick (McLeansboro) - ensemble
• Adam Floro (Marion) - ensemble
• John Hunsell (Woodlawn) - ensemble
• Brandon Isom (Christopher) - ensemble
• Kaleb Johnson (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
• Andrew Lampley (Benton) as Jean Valjean
• Matthew Loucks (Sesser) as Enjolras
• Koral McBride (Murphysboro) - ensemble
• Brook Mohr-Bell (Pinckneyville) - ensemble
• Cheyenne Needham (Benton) - ensemble
• Stacie Pinkham (Christopher) - ensemble
• Seyah Schernekau (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
• Krystal Schuch (Mt.Vernon) - ensemble
• Sam Smith (Mt. Vernon) - ensemble
• Emma Spence (Sesser) as Little Cosette / Little Eponine
• Maggie Stacey (Sesser) as Little Cosette / Little Eponine
• Lauryn Strom (Sesser) - ensemble
• Kaleb Triplett (Herrin) as Javert
• Falyn VanDyke (Mt. Vernon) - ensemble
• Jamin Walker (Benton) as Monsieur Thenardier
• Laci Zeidler (Pinckneyville) - ensemble
• Yuting Zhang (Dahlgren) - ensemble

“Les Misérables” will be on the RLC Theatre stage at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 9 - 11 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 16, for $12 each. They can be purchased by calling the RLC Box Office at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1467. Some tickets may also be available at the door on show night, if not sold out. For more information, visit www.rlc.edu/springmusical.