Get ready to transport back in time to the French Revolution during Hewlett High School’s production of Les Misérables.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the story weaves together themes of justice, redemption, and revolution as Valjean, Cosette, and other characters become caught up in the June Rebellion of 1832.
Thomas Riley has been the musical director at Hewlett High School for five years and previously directed at Lawrence High School for seven years.
His Hewlett musical repertoire includes: “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Into the Woods,” “Footloose,” and Chicago.
“I try to pick shows that are different from each other every year,” Riley said. “So that the kids can get a varied repertoire under their belts.”
Riley auditions and casts at the end of the previous school year in June. The kids are expected to learn their lines and lyrics over the summer on their own.
He said he expects a really high level of performance. “I expect that because I want them to look back on this fondly,” Riley added. “I try to give them the tools they need to prepare. You don’t have to actually act if you understand what you’re saying on a deeper level.”
Riley said he is always amazed at how hard the kids work over the summer to learn their lines and lyrics.
“It’s not just learning the actual part of theater,” he said. “It’s about how to have discipline and talk to different people. I try to run it like sports in a certain way.
Senior Samantha Wright has been doing musicals since fifth grade. She serves as the student director for the musical.
“I decided to go for the directing position because I knew I didn’t want to go into performance when it came to college,” Wright said. “I was considering going into education so I figured being student director would be a chance to learn how to lead my peers.”
She also learned how to understand her peers’ struggles with school during the rehearsal process, while working with Riley.
“I got to learn a lot about not only directing but how to block a show and how to help people find the inner workings of their character,” she added. “Also, how to balance being in an ‘authoritative’ position.”
Natalie Silver, senior, has been doing theatre since eighth grade and is playing Éponine in Les Misérables.
“I’ve done the shows all four years of high school,” Silver said. “I love it so much and I look forward to the Fall every year. It’s genuinely one of the best times of my life.”
She said theatre has helped teach her public speaking and sight-reading skills while building strong relationships.
“I love the role of Éponine,” Wright said. ‘Without a bias, she is one of my favorite characters in the show. She has such a large and deep character and has gone through so much.”
Wright said that this role is one of the most different and difficult ones she has ever played.
“My favorite scene is ‘One Day More,’” she added. “I love how it’s the one part of the show where you see every single character come together and have a revolutionary moment.”
Les Misérables is playing at Hewlett High School on Nov. 19 at 4 p.m., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Contact the district Music and Arts office at (516) 792-4808 for more info.
