Hilliard Arts Council Presents LES MISERABLES, Now thru 7/14

The Hilliard Arts Council will present Les Miserables for its annual summer musical today, July 12 and the 13th at 8pm and July 14 at 3pm at Hilliard Darby High School located at 4200 Leppert Rd. Although the student version of Les Mis has been performed at many area high schools, the Hilliard Arts Council is the first community theater in central Ohio to present the professional version fully staged.

Enthusiasm for the production was evident starting at auditions when over 150 people showed up to try out for a part in the iconic musical. The cast now includes approximately 100 people. Cast in the role as Jean Valjean is Tim Julian, retired Minister of Music at Meadow Park Church of God. Javert will be played by Doug O'Neal, vocal music director at Olentangy Liberty High School. Cosette will be played by Alexa Rybinski, graduate of Capital University in music who has appeared in many HAC productions. Eponine will be played by Erin Reissig, another veteran of many HAC productions. Fantine will be played by Carina Prater who last appeared as Sarah in the HAC production of Ragtime. Marius will be played by Dan Stevens, a student at Ohio State University who is appearing in a HAC production for the first time. Thenardier, the innkeeper, will be played by Kurt Zielenbach with Jodi Leis playing Madame Thenardier. Both Kurt and Jodi have appeared in numerous HAC productions. Little Cosette will be played by Sophie Lewis who appeared as the little girl in the HAC production of Ragtime. Gavroche, the little street urchin, will be played by HAC newcomer Tanner Sells.

The technical side of the production boasts an incredible "dream team." Ed Daniel, tech director at Hilliard Darby High School, will serve as technical director and set designer. Diana Vance, recently retired tech director at Davidson High School, will serve as lighting designer while her son, Robert Vance, tech director at Bradley High School, will serve as sound designer. The production is under the direction of Ken and Robin Brenneman with Scott Brown as choreographer.

Tickets for Les Miserables cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. They can be purchased on line by going to www.hilliardartscouncil.org. Seating is general admission. Tickets will also be available at the box office on performance days.