Arts and Theater

January 10, 2013 by Staff Report

Les Miserables, School Edition Opens Jan. 25

A talented group of regional youth, directed by Karen O’Baker Porter, will bring the musical “Les Miserables, School Edition” to Chardon for the Geauga Lyric Theater Guilds Skip Kelley Youth Production opening Jan. 25.

Referred to as Les Mis by those in the know, the show is the second longest running musical in the world. Set in France during social revolutions, the story follows a man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, his adopted daughter and her unfortunate mother, street urchins and noble university students. The music will make you want to laugh, cry and brandish a flag.

Stuart Skip Kelley, the man for whom the youth program is dedicated, was a strong proponent of involving youth in every aspect of theater production. Skip, who passed away in 2005, left an indelible mark on the young men and women he inspired over the years, many of whom moved on to careers in theater, sound production and lighting design.

In 2008, two of Skips proteges, Patrick Fagan and Aaron Drews, approached the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild board with the idea of starting an auditioned Youth Theater show. “Once on this Island” became the first Skip Kelley Youth Production in 2009, and proved to be a success. The Skip Kelley Youth Production is now a part of the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild’s regular season each year.

“Les Miserables, School Edition” book by Alain Boublil, music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil and based on the novel by Victor Hugo is sponsored by Lake Health.

The show runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 10. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. All tickets are $12.

The historic Geauga Theater is located at 101 Water St. in Chardon. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.geaugatheater.org or call the box office at 440-286-2255.

Registration Open at GLTG

Registration is open for a wide variety of classes in the arts for the upcoming winter and spring session at the Geauga Lyric Theater and Art Center. There are offerings in theater, dance and visual arts for youth and adults.

The GLTG is also offering programs designed for youth to explore the arts on school holidays, Feb. 15 and 18, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

For more information and a full listing of classes, visit www.geaugatheater.org or call the business office at 440-285-7701.