The Silver Candlestick: Les Mis and beyond                                          Les Misérables Home

Les Misérables was, without a doubt, the best production I've been involved with at the high school.  That we were able to pull it off at all is a small miracle, but that fact that our students performed it with such skill, passion, and depth is truly astounding.   The memories of this show will, I hope, linger with the students and community for a long time to come.

From our first rehearsals in August, I knew that our cast was something special.  Funny, smart, full of enthusiasm and good ideas and suggestions, the cast always managed to give back to their director at least as much energy as I sent to them.  I never left rehearsal feeling depleted, but always energized and grateful to be working with such a wonderful group.  Every day, something about the show got better.

Les Misérables is a unique show that brings out the best in everyone.  There were so many donations of time, money, and material that I could not even begin to acknowledge them all.  Our connection with Dignity Village brought us closer to the reality of Hugo's novel while simultaneously allowing us to share a bit of beauty with a sadly neglected community.  That experience will, I suspect, resonate with both our students and the Villagers for many years.

I never doubted our students' ability to perform this show, and just as I began to fret a bit about my ability to bring all of the elements together, many parents stepped in and helped with set decoration, backstage supervision, costume maintenance.  Thank you!

There will no doubt be dozens of productions of Les Misérables in our region in years to come.  I know that you all share my wish that they are as successful and fulfilling as was ours.  I suspect the magic of Les Misérables will manifest in every production.

I also suspect that Les Misérables will be the standard by which our future endeavors are judged.  Les Mis is a unique and special piece; very few other shows come close to its epic grandeur and power.  However, there are some aspects that I hope are emulated in the future: the attitude of community support and participation, and the way the show became an exercise in giving for both cast and community. 

Les Misérables has been a significant part of our lives for many months.  We will all move on to other interests and projects, but I know that we all leave this experience much richer and more skilled for having shared in the shaping and performing of the musical.  I hope that everyone has become a little more open-hearted and compassionate, a little more hungry for justice, and a little braver. 

Thanks again for being a part of Les Misérables. 

Mark Steighner, director

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