Tickets on sale now for the epic musical featuring a regional cast of 60 performers, directed by Glenn Patterson. This first-ever Theatre Bristol/Paramount Center for the Arts co-production of Les Misérables marks Theatre Bristol’s 50th Anniversary.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, April 2015 – Theatre Bristol and the Paramount Center for the Arts present the Broadway hit show “Les Misérables,” this summer. Theatre Bristol’s production of Boublil and Schonberg’s “Les Misérables” is directed by Glenn Patterson, most recently director of “Scrooge! The Musical” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Opening June 19 at The Paramount Center for the Arts (518 State Street, Bristol, TN), “Les Misérables” runs for two weekends with four evening, 7:30 pm, and two matinee, 2:30 pm, performances. Reservations can be made by calling 423-274-8920 or purchasing tickets online at www.theparamountcenter.com.
“Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide,” reports Music Theatre International, “‘Les Misérables’ is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit.”
“Capturing this uplifting story together with the Paramount Center for the Arts is a dream come true as we celebrate Theatre Bristol’s 50th anniversary and Cathy DeCaterina’s legacy,” said Samantha Gray, Theatre Bristol Board member and producer of the show. “Director Glenn Patterson has brought together incredible talent from our area, and audiences will be moved by his ability to touch our hearts.”
On behalf of the the Paramount Center for the Arts, Suzanne Brewster said, “The Paramount is thrilled to be partnering with Theatre Bristol to bring Les Misérables to the Paramount and we believe that in doing so we are fulfilling our mission of bringing local talent to this beautiful stage.” The Paramount Center for the Arts and Theatre Bristol share a long history because of the determination of Theatre Bristol founder Cathy DeCaterina, catalyst for restoring the Paramount to its grandeur.
Tracking intertwined lives laced with poverty, power, dreams and grace, Boublil and Schonberg’s emotion-packed production features Bristol-area talent performing “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Who Am I,” “Stars,” and “On My Own.” With a cast of nearly 60 on the Paramount stage you will “…hear the people sing…” dramatic company numbers like “At the End of the Day,” “Master of the House,” “The People’s Song,” and the stirring “One Day More.”
With entertaining choreography, period costume and set design, and beautiful music, Theatre Bristol will bring this Victor Hugo story to life. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter (Music Theatre International).
Director Glenn Patterson elaborates, “At its heart, Les Misérables is a story of redemption and the ability of mercy to transform even the hardest of hearts. But it also forces us to acknowledge that if we look for the worst we are sure to find it. Two characters, Valjean and Javert, stand in sharp contrast to each other. I think this is less so because they are on opposite sides of the law as it is because one of them, Valjean, allows the grace shown him to rescue him while the other, Javert, cannot understand it and his inability to accept it destroys him.”
Patterson continues, “My favorite line from the show is this, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” Les Miserables shows us many faces of love, sacrificial, self-less, deep and sometimes relentless. Even in the midst of the poverty, violence and hardship the characters often suffer, love is the final winner whenever it is shown and accepted. The novel on which the musical is based is powerful, and the musical is as well. It will be an extremely entertaining experience, and a moving one as well.”
“Putting together a show like this one is a huge undertaking, even in the largest organizations,” said Patterson. “For a theatre where everyone is a volunteer this is doubly true. It takes a great deal of dedication and tremendous amount of work to pull it together. For 50 years Theatre Bristol has drawn its strength from volunteers. To say the theatre wouldn’t exist without them has been true from the beginning, but even more so today.
“I feel extremely fortunate to be working with marvelous people like Samantha Gray, Jessica Flagg, Alyssa King, Jenny Carpenter, Camille Gray and Jessica Gamble in key staff positions. Without them, the production wouldn’t get very far. You will see the work of our talented actors, and we have a wonderful cast (Theatre Bristol Announces Cast), but more goes on backstage than most people realize. To make a show like this happen at all, much less to make it successful, requires everyone. It requires sacrifice, hard work and a lot of dedication. In the end, though, it’s well worth it.”
Theatre Bristol presents a new production of BOUBLIL and SCHÖNBERG’S LES MISÉRABLES, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI) by arrangement with CAMERON MACKINTOSH LTD.
Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee and now celebrating its 50th season. Its Main Stage season consists of up to five productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120, and major productions are performed at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is entirely volunteer run and we invite you to get involved.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Paramount Center for the Arts is an excellent example of the art deco motion picture palaces built in the late 1920’s and early 30’s. The restoration retained the Paramount’s opulent, richly embellished interior. The original Venetian-styled murals and the art deco ambience were faithfully recreated. The auditorium holds 744 with 5 wheelchair locations. You’ll feel as though you are a part of the performance from every seat in the theatre.
For more information, visit www.theatrebristol.org, like TheatreBristolTN on Facebook, call 423-383-5979, or email info@theatrebristol.org. For tickets and more information, visit www.theparamountcenter.com, call 423-274-8920, like Paramount Center on Facebook, or email paramounttickets@btes.tv.
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PHOTOS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD: High-resolution color photos of this production will be available for media use on the Theatre Bristol website.
INTERVIEWS: Interviews with the cast or other production members are available. Call 423-956-3525.
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