BWW Reviews: Encore Entertainers Presents a Rousing LES MISERABLES

ENCORE, a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre company in the South Bay, educates performers through workshops, camps and theatre productions, imparting valuable life lessons through the arts. I have reviewed several of their musical productions, each including performers of all ages working together to present both serious and fanciful family-friendly shows.

Their latest grand-scale musical production of LES MISERABLES offered many challenges for the group during their final week of pre-production at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro. But other than one sound glitch at the Saturday matinee, you would never have known the difficulties overcome to allow this rousing rendition of revolution to fill the space.

Led by the impressive talents of David Mitrano as Jean Valjean and Garrett Chandler as his arch enemy Javert, the cast of nearly 30 performers harmonize beautifully in each and every number, never missing a beat. This is quite a remarkable feat, given the change to recorded tracks two days prior to opening the show. Director Summer Dey Cacciagioni and Music Director Mike Walker are to be commended for sticking to the adage that "the show must go on" and not letting any obstacle stand in their way in presenting this rousing production.

Along with Mitrano and Chandler, other standouts in the cast include Andrew Metzger and Serenity Robb as the hilarious Thenardiers, Tracy Ramsey as the lovesick and heartbroken Eponine, Richie Olson and Mackenzie Hamilton as the lovers Marius and Cosette, Dana Shaw enchants as Fantine with Bella Gomez proving to be a star on the rise as Young Cosette during her rendition of "Castle on a Cloud." Resonant tenor Jahmaul Bakare embodies the spirit of revolution as Enjolras atop the barricade along with Jack Ghekiere as the youngest solider Gavroche.

Sticking with the original concept of a turntable stage which allows the action to be seen on both sides of the barricade is vital to the emotional impact of the musical and this production does just that, accompanied by evocative lighting design by Sammy Ross, and both beautiful and raggedy costumes by Cheryl Ortiz.

Performances continue at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278 on June 26th at 7:30PM, June 27th, 2:00PM and 7:30PM, and June 28th, 1:00PM. Tickets run $35 to $55 and are available in advance at www.encoreentertainers.org or by calling (310) 376-3500.

Photo Credit: Myles Regan - RegalDigitalImages.com