When the winter musical was announced, Mr. Weeks’ room erupted with cheer. Les Misérables, one of the most famous musicals ever made, is making a return to Prep’s stage after 14 years. 

More than just a captivating and beloved story, Les Mis is a challenge on stage. The majority of the musical’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime is chorus, sung by the talented sopranos and tenors of the theatre program and accompanied by the orchestra.  

Boasting a wide cast that ages throughout the runtime, Les Mis is unique among other high school musicals. “Playing younger and older versions of themselves. That’s a challenge for actors to show that progression in a two-hour time span.” Mr. Othman states. “We’ll talk a lot with the students about what it’s like to be a 20-year-old in a revolution versus a 40-year-old. We may add a little gray to their hair and alter other physical characteristics, but it’s mostly on the actor to play that growth.” 

Not only will the characters have a chance to display growth throughout the act, so will Mr. Othman’s abilities as a director. Since Les Mis initially debuted on Prep’s stage, Othman has gained over a decade of experience. “Anytime you direct a show again, you’re able to go deeper. You know the strengths, you know the challenges. Coming in, I’m already thinking about things I had to deal with in the past. And you can dive deeper into details because you just know the show more comfortably.” He explains further, “It’s like reading a book for the second time—you notice more.”