A cast of 44 performers and a 21-piece orchestra will showcase the thrilling songs and epic story of “Les Miserables” when Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park presents the Boublil and Schönberg musical, based on Victor Hugo’s riveting novel, July 26-Aug. 11 at the Deerfield Performing Arts Center. Performances are 7 p.
m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m.
Sundays, plus 7 p.m. Aug.
8. Director Scott Shallenbarger said that the biggest challenge of directing this musical “in the most beautiful of ways, is honoring such a brilliant work. Not only honoring the organic truth of the story but finding ways to make it creatively organic to the company while not taking away those events and moments that an audience can’t wait to see because it’s iconic.
” Shallenbarger said that he has the performers to make that happen. “The cast is so passionate, vocally talented, hard-working,” he declared. They were selected from a huge talent pool.
“We had 650 people audition,” Shallenbarger said. He added that the producers, the designers, and everyone else associated with this production have “a real authentic passion for this piece.” The theater company received an Exceptional License from Producer Cameron Mackintosh to produce this show.
Generally, it is only approved for productions in London or New York, or for touring productions. Shallenbarger noted that Mackintosh was partly influenced in that decision when he learned that proceeds of this production will bene.