Hear the people sing loud and clear: ‘Les Misérables’ thru Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park
Justine Cameron, Wesly Anthony Clergé, Amia Korman, Campbell Krausen, and Jake Ziman. Photo by Ana Miyares.
There is but one appropriate, three-pronged reaction upon learning there’s a limited local run of a magnificently orchestrated, sung, and staged production of Les Misérables—check the calendar, clear space if necessary, and buy tickets.
Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park, a still-young non-Equity company heretofore unknown to this reviewer and site (shame on us), is staging 10 summer performances with quality comparable to that found on the top Chicagoland stages—Equity and non-Equity alike. In its second year offering a full-throated, Broadway-styled production, Uptown puts itself on the Chicagoland musical theatre map.
"We believe that great communities need great culture,” says Jamie Davidson, Uptown president and Les Mis co-producer. “Kindness is at the heart of everything we do. We provide a welcoming, safe, and supportive space for performers, designers and technicians to return to our community. Diversity, equity, and inclusiveness are extremely important to us. Our goal is to create superb, artistic productions with meaningful stories and themes that will cause our community to think, reflect, discuss and grow."
Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set to the book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, Les Mis has achieved iconic status in large part due to its lush songbook (music by Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer) and 39 years of acclaimed professional productions helmed by Producer Cameron Mackintosh. The well-known story, woven around the 1832 Paris uprising, centers on French fugitive Jean Valjean, who broke parole to have a chance at a better life, and his pursuer, the self-righteous Inspector Javert, who seeks to enforce the letter of the law.
Leading the local production, Wesly Anthony Clergé as Jean Valjean and David Pfenninger as Javert are awash in vocal talent. Clergé’s “Bring Him Home” is second to none this reviewer has heard, and Pfenninger’s “Stars” is stunning. Similarly, the signature songs and performances of Marius (Jake Ziman), Cosette (Campbell Krausen) Éponine (Amia Korman), Fantine (Justine Cameron) and Enjolras (Evan Smith) are equal to those seen at Marriott, Drury Lane, Paramount or downtown.
A few more onstage plaudits are deserved. Aaron Mann and Erin Kelly slay the roles of the conniving Thénardiers with aplomb and great humor. Bobby Schaefer as young Gavroche (Nathaniel Vodak at some performances) and Lanah Vurnakes (Little Cosette) make Broadway-quality impressions. A strong ensemble rounds out the 44-member cast.
The show is well paced by director Scott Shallenbarger and expertly choreographed by associate director Stacy Flaster. Aaron Kaplan music directs and conducts his terrific 21-piece professional JAM Orchestra.
Michael Clack’s scenic design/technical direction is simple and refined, often perfectly supplemented by spotlighted scenes against a black backdrop. Kudos to Joel Zishuk’s expert lighting design that not only make these moments poignant but also illuminate their juxtaposition against the traditional elegance of the more fully designed scenes.
If it’s a shame on us for not having Uptown Music Theater Highland Park on our individual and collective radar until now, let this review be a humble thanks to all involved in this production and company for the wonderful, always needed reminder that “to love another person is to see the face of God.”
Les Misérables runs through Aug 11 at the Deerfield Performing Arts Center, 1959 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund administered by the Highland Park Community Foundation. For tickets or more information, please visit uptownhp.org.
For more reviews on this or other shows, please visit theatreinchicago.com.