Memories of Gr. 6

Thursday October 25th @ 7pm
Newmarket Theatre
the Spotlight Theatre School's
"Les Misérables"***

I love this musical. I'd just forgotten how much I loved it until some of my students got me back in to it. I love this musical so much I read the 1200-page book by Victor Hugo when I was 12 and did my Grade 6 Independent Study Project on the musical. I still remember the first time my Dad took me to see it at the Royal Alexandra Theatre when I was in Grade 5, and how I treasured my gray Cosette sweatshirt and my Les Miz mug for years for how they reminded me of every tear I shed during the mind-blowing production. Alas...

This sure wasn't the same. But these kids tried really hard and did a darn good job. Definitely one of the better Spotlight productions I've seen, as usually they are sketchy at best. Some of the singing was really good (Marius), some of the acting was really good (Thènardier), and some of the singing-acting was great... in particular, my student Shawna as Fantine (aka "Shawntine"), whom I adore ("w000t!"). Also had a little darling in the chorus, who, I'm so proud to say, spent her birthday HMV gift certificate from me on the Les Miz soundtrack!

Funny moments included the potentially mixed-up casting of Marius and Valjean so that one of them didn't have to kiss the Cosette who was played by his sister! Also, there's a girl I've seen in multiple Spotlight productions who's repeatedly been "the trampy girl". Odd typecasting for a teenager, I'd think. Some dreadful singing, but no dreadful voices...

Thanks to my Mom for attending with me. :)