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Community Corner

MST present Les Miserables

Marin Summer Theater will present a new production of the much loved LES MISÉRABLES on July 25, 26, 27, 28, August 2, 3, 4 at the Emily Gates Student Center at San Marin High School in Novato. For the last five years LES MISÉRABLES has been the most requested show by the MST audience and company members. LES MISÉRABLES will be the final production of the MST 2013 season.

LES MIS may be the most popular musical in the world.  With book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, LES MISÉRABLES has generated world-wide tours, multiple Grammy-winning soundtrack albums, and last winter’s Oscar-winning film.  It has also inspired a generation of theater goers.  MST will present the show in its entirety and will be the first "non-school" production of LES MIS in the North Bay. 

Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.marinsummertheater.org and at the San Marin High School business office.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door before each performance until sold out. Ticket prices range from $7.50 for preview performances to $25.00 for reserved seating at regular performances.  Tickets, schedules and more information about MST can be found at www.marinsummertheater.org.

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Based on the Victor Hugo masterwork, LES MISÉRABLES is epic and uplifting.  It packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. LES MISÉRABLES is a powerful affirmation of the human spirit, and a popular masterpiece.  The story begins in France in 1815 when the peasant Jean Valjean is released from nineteen years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him in the outside world but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways.

With a cast of forty-nine and a live fifteen-piece orchestra, MST promises this new production of LES MISÉRABLES will be musically and visually stunning. 

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Playing the part of Valjean is Fernando Siu, an MST veteran and San Rafael resident.  “Playing Valjean is easily the greatest honor, pleasure, and privilege that any male actor can receive. It's an emotional rollercoaster that takes everything out of me.  I absolutely love it,” Siu said.

“It truly is an honor working with MST for the fourth time; I'm excited for the two weekends of performances so a larger audience can witness MST's collaborative team of actors, orchestra, tech, and brilliant directors. It's definitely going to be a great experience for everyone,” Siu said.

Eric Levintow, another MST veteran and Novato resident is also pleased to be in the cast of LES MISÉRABLES. Levintow plays the part of Javert, the officer that makes it his life’s mission to hunt for Valjean.

“Javert is interesting because he is often characterized as a villain, which I don't think is true. He is certainly the antagonist, but his misguided sense of justice and morality make him ignorant, not evil. Javert is an incredibly dynamic and emotive role which I'm beyond excited to perform with MST,” Levintow said.

In addition to the student performers on stage, MST is also very proud to feature student designers and technicians.  The 15-piece LES MISÉRABLES orchestra will be conducted by Nina Kao, and costume design is by Natalie Oga, both former San Marin HS students now attending college.  Alisha Ramos, a recent graduate of Sonoma State, provided lighting and set design. Stage management is by Ali Weurfel  of Belvedere, and Abby Hanssen, of Tiburon.  Samantha Roberts of Novato is assistant director.

Marin Summer Theater received eleven nominations and four awards for its 2012 season from National Youth in Arts (NYA) in the eighth annual Youth Arts Awards. MST earned nominations for all three of its 2012 productions of SPRING AWAKENING, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL. Of the eleven nominations, four went on to win awards.

 

MST has announced that in 2014 it will present ANYTHING GOES, CRYANO DE BERGERAC, and RENT.

 

Marin Summer Theater (MST) is a 501(c)3 theater company comprised of students of performing arts between the ages of 13 and 23 and includes actors, singers, dancers, musicians, directors, designers, technicians, and crew. MST prepares and presents three fully-staged productions in a six-week summer season. MST's mission is twofold: To enrich the community by presenting exciting, professional quality live theater; to provide a venue for theater arts students to apply and expand their skills regardless of financial means. 

 2013 is MST’s fifth season.

 





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