Possum Point Players to bring 'Les Miserables' to Delmarva
The Possum Point Players, celebrating their 40th anniversary, are the first theatrical group in Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula to present the complete version of "Les Miserables," the world’s longest-running musical sensation, winner of 70 major theater awards including an Olivier, eight Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and a Grammy.
"Les Misérables" is being performed over three weekends at Possum Hall, 441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown, Sept. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and Oct. 4, 5 and 6, at 7:30 p.m., for Friday and Saturday performances and 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Tickets are $23 for adults and $22 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at www.possumpointplayers.org or by calling the PPP ticketline at 302-856-4560.
"Les Misérables" is a musical based on the novel of the same name by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo. The 1862 novel is considered by many to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. Hugo described the story as "a progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, from night to day, from appetite to conscience, from corruption to life, from bestiality to duty, from hell to heaven, from nothingness to God."
French songwriter Alain Boublil had the inspiration to adapt Hugo's novel into a musical while at a performance of the musical "Oliver!" in London. When the Artful Dodger appeared on stage, the idea of Gavroche narrating the story of "Les Misérables" came to mind. He pitched the concept to composer Claude-Michel Schonberg, who began developing a rough synopsis. "Les Miserables" had its world premiere in September 1980 at the Palais des Sports in Paris.
The English version of "Les Miserables" was produced by Cameron Mackintosh and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird and opened Oct. 8, 1985, at the Barbican Arts Centre in London. The original cast included such notables as Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, and Patti LuPone. On Dec. 4, 1985, the world premiere production of the English version transferred to the Palace Theatre in London. It moved April 3, 2004, to the Queen's Theatre. It has become the second longest-running musical in the world and the second longest-running show on the West End.
"Les Misérables" made its journey across the pond in December 1986. The musical received its U.S. premiere and out-of-town tryout at the Kennedy Center's Opera House in Washington, D.C. It premiered on Broadway March 12, 1987, at The Broadway Theatre.
"Les Misérables" has been translated into 21 different languages including Flemish, Estonian and Castillian. A film adaptation of the stage musical, featuring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, was released on Christmas Day 2012, and now "Les Misérables" comes to Possum Hall in Georgetown.
"Les Misérables" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th St., New York, NY 10019; phone: 212-541-4684; fax:212-397-4684; visit www.mtishows.com.
Possum Point Players is supported, in part, by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
