For 96 talented students from 15 school districts and home schools, "Les Miserables" is the Super Bowl, the World Series and the Stanley Cup all rolled into one.
Anthony Marino, artistic director of Stage Right professional theater company in Greensburg, says the All-County Musical -- comprised of students from Westmoreland and surrounding counties -- is equal to an all-star game in sports for young actors, singers and dancers whose playing field is a stage.
"A lot of kids are getting the opportunity to strut their stuff and take on a big role, which is a great thing," Marino says.
This is the second year for the All-County Musical, a concept that originated last year with a production of "High School Musical" featuring 50 students from 14 districts in Westmoreland County.
Marino says this year's production benefits from a $25,000 grant from a new sponsor, Hot Topic Foundation. As a result of the gift, he says each of the participating schools will receive a monetary award to benefit their drama programs. The All-County Musical also is supported by the Westmoreland Trust.
Set in early 19th-century France, "Les Miserables" is based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. The story follows a group of characters in their struggle for revolution and redemption.
Students who were selected for roles in "Les Miserables" through an audition process will benefit from performing on the Palace Theatre stage and having to learn their parts on a normal professional schedule of three weeks, Marino says.
"Some of the students are used to working on their high school productions, which can take three months," he says. "The kids have really stepped up."
For Sean Brannon, 17, a junior at Saltsburg High School who participated in last year's show and is one of three cast in the leading role of Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables," the All-County Musical is a learning experience for those considering a career in the theater.
"You are with a whole group of people you never met before in your life, and you have to work together. You're not going to walk onto a Broadway stage and know your fellow actors," he says, adding that his first performance on the Palace Theatre stage was memorable.
"It's one experience you never forget. It was breathtaking," he says.
The double- and triple-casting of certain roles is done to give more students a chance to perform, according to Marino, who is directing the production. His wife, Renata Marino, is the show's choreographer and Kevin O'Leary is music director. Sue Glowa and Melanic Callas, teachers at Greensburg Salem Middle School, are helping with the production.
Kaelynn Labra, a senior at Penn Trafford High School, is playing Eponine in "Les Miserables." She says the Broadway musical is a difficult show to master, but it's one of her favorites.
"I love 'Les Miz,' " she says.
Brendan Duffy, a senior at Greensburg Central Catholic High School who plays Javert, says the extra effort needed to learn the complicated music in the show "is worth it in the end." Duffy, who will attend Seton Hill University in the fall to study musical theater, says he is enjoying performing in the All-County Musical.
"It's always fun to meet people who have the same passion for theater as you do," he says.
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