Do you hear the people sing? Broadway Youth Cebu proudly presents its Summer 2019 Musical Theatre Workshop production.
As a follow-up to its highly successful musical theater workshop production of “Miss Saigon School Edition” last year, Broadway Youth Cebu brings another mega-musical to the Cebu stage in the Summer 2019 Musical Theatre Workshop production of the world’s most popular musical “Les Miserables School Edition” on Aug. 9, 10 and 11, 2019.
“Les Miserables School Edition” is the author-approved, licensed adaptation of the multi-awarded, globally recognized musical intended to be performed entirely by students.
Created by the same team that conceived “Miss Saigon,” Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, “Les Miserables” is a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel, featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time.
Set in 19th century France, the story centers on Valjean, who has been released from years of imprisonment but finds nothing in store for him. He breaks his parole in the hope of starting a new life, but is relentlessly pursued by the police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe that Valjean could change his ways. Years later, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert confronts his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves Marius. With his world view shattered, Javert turns to death and Valjean finds peace and comfort.
The upcoming production is the culminating activity of the Broadway Youth Cebu Summer Musical Theatre Workshop, a unique opportunity not often found in Cebu.
Led by Hong Kong-based Cebuano theater teacher Allan Nazareno and Cebu-based theater director Rudy Aviles, this workshop is primarily aimed at providing training to help prepare young Cebuanos for international careers in performing arts.
Other members of the creative team are choreographer Alfie Mosqueda, musical director Nino Banares, vocal coach Gab Lada, acting coaches Fitzgerald Galenzoga and Emerald Catugal, production managers Eula Dawa, sound designer Jason Dampor and marketing director Owen Figues.
Aside from the Cebuano team, the show features a creative team composed of award-winning designers such as Hong Kong-based Filipino designer Faust Peneyra (an award-winning set designer of many Atlantis Productions who designed “Kinky Boots,” “Fun Home,” “Matilda,” “Shrek” and “The Bridges of Madison County”) for scenic design, Shirlee Idzakovich (a New York City-based costumer who designed costumes for the original production of Paul and Pasek’s “James and The Giant Peach”) for costumes, and Jonjon Villareal (a Manila-based lighting designer and resident technical director of PETA) for lights.
The workshop also featured guest trainers from Asia, America and Australia to do both in-person and online workshop sessions.
This year’s guest facilitators included Harriet Chung, from the Toronto cast of “Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats”; Robert Dil, the Musical Theatre teacher of Takapuna Grammar School in New Zealand; Guam-based music director Norman Babia and production director Ernest Ochoco; noted local trainers Padma Mangharam Siap and maestro Dennis Sugarol; local directors Penelop Ong and Emman Mante, architect Eric Nacorda, theater student and BYC alumnus Miren Fernando and award-winning indie film actress and theater teacher Ligaya Rabago.
“Les Miserables School Edition” will be performed at the Rudolf Rahmann Cultural Centre, USC South Campus on Friday through Sunday, Aug. 9 to 11, and is presented with special arrangement by Music Theatre International.
For more information, visit the workshop website bwayyouthcebu.weebly.com or email broadwayyouthcebu@gmail.com. PR