A New Beginning in an Age-Old Story
Welcome to the very first performance by the Troy United Theatre Company. When we first discussed staging Les Misérables, we knew it would be a huge undertaking. However, we didn't just want to perform this masterpiece; we wanted to use it as a bridge. This production marks a historic milestone: the inaugural collaboration between the Athens Theatre Company and the Troy Theatre Ensemble.
Les Misérables is, at its core, a story about the strength found in unity. Whether it is the students on the barricade fighting for a future they may never see, or Jean Valjean’s internal struggle to move beyond his past, the theme of coming together resonates deeply with our mission this year. Bringing this epic to life required an equally epic effort. Over 100 student performers, technicians, and musicians from across the district, who were once rivals, have transformed into a singular, cohesive creative force, and this has been a highlight of this production.
Victor Hugo once wrote, "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." In a world that often feels divided, this story reminds us of our shared humanity. This school edition may be abridged in length, but it loses none of the emotional gravity or the soaring power of the score. It challenges our students to explore complex themes of mercy, law, and sacrifice, themes they have handled with incredible maturity and grace.
A world as vast as nineteenth-century France cannot be built by one person. My deepest thanks go to Vince, Molly, Jake, Greg, and Gino. It is an honor to create theatrical magic with you. A sung-through musical like this is an immense mountain to climb, and it would have been impossible without our Vocal Directors, Adrienne Covian and Cole VanAmberg, and our Pit Director, Brian Nutting. You have led our student singers and musicians through one of the most complex scores in the theatrical canon with brilliance and heart. Together, you have given this production its soul - thank you.
Marc Vickers, Director
