On Oct. 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Mater Dei’s Theatre Arts program will present the musical drama, Les Miserables, at the Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School. This year’s all school musical is directed by Joe Alanes, Director of Theater Arts. Over the span of the performance’s four showings, the cast and crew hope to garner 4,000 attendees, a number that is very reachable considering the size of the auditorium and the popularity of this production.

This musical takes place in early 19th century France around the time of the French Revolution, and tells the story of a prisoner who breaks his parole and turns his life around, eventually coming to care for the child of a woman who works for him. The Prisoner, John Valjean, is played by Jack VanDalsem (Sr.), while his enemy, Inspector Javert, is played by senior Danny Casey. His foster daughter, Cossette, is played by sophomore Alyssa Schickling. Other roles include Cossette’s love interest Marius, senior Ernie Figueroa; a peasant girl, Eponine, senior Emme Bartlett; and her thieving parents, the Thénardiers, played by senior Eddie McNally and junior Annie Flati.

The play’s four showings will be on the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of October, with one showing each day, as well as a matinee showing on Saturday. The evening showings will be at 7:00 p.m. all three days, and the matinee showing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. This matinee show will feature a secondary cast that is made up of different actors and actresses in the main roles.

Students are encouraged to attend the showings and support the Mater Dei Community.

Les Miserables performances will be at Santa Ana High School 520 W Walnut St, Santa Ana, CA, 92701.