Menlo Middle School's 'Les Miserables' Menlo Middle School's 'Les Miserables' (June 01, 2005)

With a cast of 60 students, Menlo Middle School will stage "Les Miserables" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 3 through 5, in the Middle School Commons Theatre, 50 Valparaiso Ave. in Atherton.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a matinee at 1 o'clock on Sunday. Tickets -- at $5 for students and $7 for adults -- may be purchased at the door.

The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in the play, based on Victor Hugo's famous novel, are discovering the passion for the revolution in the setting of 18th century France, says producer Alex Perez, the middle school drama teacher.

The school edition of "Les Miserables," a sung-through pop opera, overflows with melodies that are standards from the London and Broadway productions.

William Liberatori, musical director of TheatreWorks, is doubling as the musical director for the middle school's production.

The challenge, said Mr. Perez, is to stretch the young voices, but not to the point where their voices break down.

The community is invited to "come join us on our journey," he said.

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