Field Guide A Tool for Teachers, Students, Performers, Designers, &

Advocates of Live Theatre

Guide Compiled by

Christina Casella, Education & Outreach Director

Casey Weed, Les Miserables Dramaturg

Playhouse Interns Madeleine Garcia, Gabriella Melendez, and Daniel Quintero

To the Educators, Students, Actors, Directors, Designers, and any art advocate who may find themselves exploring this

Field Guide:

Welcome to The Playhouse San Antonio Les Misérables Field Guide!

Here at The Playhouse San Antonio our mission is to produce high quality live theatre that inspires, educates, and

entertains audiences of all ages. Our passion is to connect our community to the world at large by telling stories that

reveal the truth of the human experience.

In the spirit of this mission, we offer our audiences the opportunity to continue their experience at the theater by

providing events and interactive resources like this Field Guide. Its purpose can function in many ways—in the

classroom, as a series of activities, a resource to artists, and a behind the scenes glance into this amazing, venturesome

production.

Our goal with this and every production is to educate and inform our audiences, while still providing a level of

entertainment and expression through the art of live theatre.

We suggest exploring the guide both before and after attending The Playhouse production of Les Misérables running

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. from October 3, 2013 to November 3, 2013.

Our Playhouse Education Night, Sunday, October 13, 2013, includes a Post-Show Discussion and Talk Back. We

encourage those attending to apply the knowledge and information gained from this Field Guide to stimulate and inspire

the evening’s discussion.

Additionally, H-E-B has graciously sponsored a separate Education Night on Friday, October 25, 2013. Thanks to H-E-B’s

generous funding, we are able to sponsor 400 students to see Les Misérables. Our very own Tribe members and

Playhouse Interns will be hosting that evening’s Post Show Talk Back and had a part in compiling this Field Guide.

Additional credit to this guide is due to Les Misérables director, Tim Hedgepeth. We appreciate his dedication to

educating both his cast and audience.

Thank you and Enjoy!

Background Information

History of the Student Rebellion

July 14, 1789-Storming of the Bastille

This event is the start of the French Revolution

September 1793-July 1794-The Reign of Terror

Political upheaval resulting in the deaths of thousands, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

October 1797-Treaty of Campo Formio

Other nations tried to restrain France, but were soundly defeated. End of the First Coalition

1804-Napoleon becomes Emperor of France

After several victories against European powers, Napoleon is declared Emperor of France by the Senate (and himself).

1812-Napoleon exiled to Elba

Napoleon loses to the Sixth Coalition

1815-Battle of Waterloo

-Napoleon loses again; Louis XVIII (House of Bourbon) restored to the throne

July 1830-July Revolution

-House of Bourbon overthrown; Louis-Philippe (House of Orléans) placed on the throne.

-Overthrow of hereditary right to rule in favor of popular sovereignty

June 1832-June Rebellion

-Republicans (and others) disgruntled by the appointment of another monarch (Louis-Philippe) after the July Revolution

planned to overthrow the monarchy.

-Barricades were constructed throughout Paris and streets were overrun with revolutionaries (many of whom were

members of secret societies) for 2 days.

-Began during the funeral of General Lamarque who died during the spring cholera epidemic

Dramaturg, Casey Weed

Happening Elsewhere…

1826-World’s first photograph

1830-Railroad construction takes off in America

1836-Battle of the Alamo

1840-First use of general anesthesia

1861-U.S. Civil War begins

ONE. one.

two.

Who was general lamarque?

Highly honored Napoleonic general

Supporter of independence in France and abroad

Went into exile with Napoleon but returned in 1818 to politics

After 1830 revolution, tasked with preventing

Legitimist uprisings (supporters of the House of Bourbon)

Fell into disagreement with the Orléans monarchy

General Lamarque

Victor hugo

February 26, 1802-May 22, 1885

Educated as a Catholic Royalist by his mother but became a republican as

he grew older

His family followed his father’s military postings until his mother took the

children and settled in Paris

Playwright, novelist, revolutionary, husband, and father

Exiled 1855-1870 due to political opposition

Victor Hugo

The Musical

ONE.

Synopsis courtesy of Mtishows.com

Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Book by Claude-Michel Schönberg

Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg

Book by Alain Boublil

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. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last

attains the peace he has sought for so long.

Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables packs an emotional wallop that has

thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung-through pop opera is ideal for a cast

of exceptional singers and overflows with melodies that are already standards. A

spectacle on Broadway and in London, Les Misérables is equally effective with a

minimal set; it is its powerful affirmation of the human spirit that has made

Les Misérables a popular masterpiece.

three.

Photo courtesy Dwayne Green

four.

Director’s note

Like most people I know, I have a bucket list. Mine is a catalogue of plays

and musicals that, if I am lucky, I may one day have the opportunity to direct.

Les Misérables is on that list; it’s a show I have longed to do ever since that

rainy afternoon in 1985 when I heard the original London cast recording

for the very first time. Of course, as any diehard “Les Miz” fan can tell you,

the world’ most popular musical suffered a rocky start. Most critics were

dismissive if not downright hostile (“Victor Hugo on the garbage dump!”

was the now-infamous sneer of The Observer’s opening night critic.)

But the naysayers were quickly silenced by the international embrace of

the musical’s millions of fans. And I am one of them. I love its pomp and pageantry, its lush and sentimental score,

and of course all of those marvelous, heartbreaking characters. It is a work of 20th century musical theatre that can

rightly be considered a modern classic. But, at the end of the day, I believe that the continued success of this work is

due largely to its fidelity to Hugo’s original novel. The musical version asks that we ponder the themes of crime and

punishment, social injustice, and forgiveness, among others. And, in doing so, we cannot help but see its relevance to

our world today. Of course a good chunk of Hugo’s novel has been trimmed away, yet we still have the inspiring story

of one man’s journey towards redemption. I have rehearsed this production for only eight weeks, but I have been

thinking about it for almost thirty years. Bringing Les Misérables to the stage at The Playhouse—in the company of our

remarkable family of actors, designers, musicians and staff – has been a journey I will never forget.

Welcome to the Barricade!

Director, Tim Hedgepeth

Photos Courtesy Sandra Trevino

five.

Cast

Jean Valjean Jason Mosher

Javert Jesse Enderle

Fantine Mary Morrow

Thenardier Isidro Medina

Madame Thenardier Jane Haas

Marius Trevor Chauvin

Cosette Constanza Aileen

Eponine Carlye Gossen

Enjolras Chris Berry

Gavroche Christian Tinajero

William Tucker

Young Cosette/Eponine Anyka Bumgarner

Vidhi Sapru

Emma Tucker

Ensemble Tyler Askins

Amanda Belscamper

Sara Brookes

Anthony Castro

Desirée Chappelle

Jerry Cordova

Anamaria Delperdang

Jay Duval

Bob Galindo

Madeleine Garcia

Mark Hicks

Matthew Lieber

Ginger Martel

Gabriella Melendez

Katy Stafford Moore

David Nanny-Isban

Thad Payne

Sebastian Pinzon

Daniel Quintero

Rob Shaver

Travis Trevino

Gerardo Vallejo

Reagan Wilson

Laura Michelle Wolfe

Orphans/Young Street Gang Madison Calderon

Milla Check

Karsten Palmer

Diego De Jesus Martinez

Themes

six.

Death by Madeleine Garcia, senior at henry ford academy

"So never kick a dog because he's just a pup, we will fight like twenty armies and we won’t give up, so you better run for cover when the pup...grows..." BANG! Being onstage and living in this incredible, heartbreaking, grit-filled masterpiece that is Les Misérables has been absolutely amazing. Before getting cast in Les Misérables, I always loved the show, and I cried like a baby at every song and every heartbreaking death. However, it wasn't until we blocked the death of Gavroche that I realized I have been crying for the wrong reason. For the first time, after listening to the soundtrack and score more than a million times and playing the ABC girlfriend onstage, I actually heard Gavroche's final words. "...We won't give up. So you better run for cover... when the pup... grows…" Every bullet sent my heart on a roller coaster of pain, anger and sadness. I found myself climbing the barricade, hoping to save him before it was too late, but Gavroche met fate before I could. Until that rehearsal, I never truly understood the pain in the anger that the people of France suffered. The grit and determination of these people had been indestructible. Blocking the barricade battles has made Les Misérables so much clearer to me. When the barricade begins to fall, I can see in all of my cast mates faces, the undying resistance that they keep, even in death. And when I finally die, I fight with every fiber to stay alive, to keep our dream alive, and to make sure that even in death I'd "fight like 20 armies" and I won't give up.

Madeleine in rehearsal for

Les Misérables

Photo courtesy Sandra Treviño DISCUSS DISCUSS

DISCUSS BEFORE SEEING THE SHOW… -What are your thoughts on death? What about death due to war or an uprising? Is it worth it? Why or why not?

- Les Misérables takes place in early 1800’s France. How do you think death is viewed then compared to now?

-Madeleine talks about her love of Les Misérables before being in the show and after. What are your current thoughts,

if any, about Les Misérables? Why?

AFTER SEEING THE SHOW… -How was death represented in the show? How did it affect you?

seven.

love by Gabrielle melendez, senior at henry ford academy

Les Misérables: the title of one of the most loved musicals of all time, when

translated, means "the miserable ones". While this title evokes feelings of

sadness and pity, it certainly doesn't encompass my experience as an

ensemble member. Being in this show, I have learned a great many things

but perhaps the most important is how to be a part of a team; how to work

hard together for a great show. I learned how to "strive towards a larger

goal" as Enjolras so greatly sings. One of the main themes of this musical is

familial love, which is greatly evident with this amazing cast (both onstage

and off). As opening night approaches, I only grow more and more excited

for our hard work to finally be shared. I can only hope that the audience

will enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed doing it.

Love is complex in this show. Does Valjean love Fantine?

Why doesn’t Marius love Eponine?

Does Javert feel love for anyone?

Despite these questions, love is real in Les Misérables. We feel it every

night together on stage.

“A heart full of love, no fear no regrets…” gabrielle in rehearsal for

Les Misérables

Photo courtesy Sandra Treviño

DISCUSS DISCUSS

DISCUSS

AFTER SEEING THE SHOW… -Answer Gabby’s questions!

-What are some non-conventional examples of love in Les Misérables? Consider Gabby’s idea of “familial

love.”

“To Love Another Person Is To See The Face Of God…”

eight.

Redemption by Daniel quintero, senior at keystone school

Where is redemption found in Les Misérables? Can such grace be found in the

grimy cesspools of the Paris slums, or in the lascivious Parisian docks rifling

with prostitution?

Throughout the show, we witness character after suffering character

smothered by their cruel state of existence. Fantine is unfairly cast out after

being labeled as a malicious whore. In "I Dreamed a Dream", she recounts her

short life and realizes that she is now void of purpose and happiness.

However, Jean Valjean seeks for redemption the entire play, and while

praying to God in "Bring Him Home", he realizes that the single most

benevolent thing he can do is to save Marius's life.

Imagine the plural wishes and dreams of those on the barricade. On that

structure made from the homes of the citizens, there is so much hope. And in

that concentrated hope we find that love is a pathway to redemption.

daniel in rehearsal for

Les Misérables

Photo courtesy Sandra Treviño

DISCUSS DISCUSS DISCUSS

Consider This… -What does the saying “the ends justify the means” mean to you?

-Choose an event that raises a moral dilemma.

-Discuss the idea of redemption in Les Misérables. How is it different from forgiveness? Similar?

“If I die, let me die… Let him live…”