Medina takes on ambitious musical with Les Misérables

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2024 at 3:30 pm

Students say story of rebellion in France inspired cast and crew ‘to stand up for what you believe in’

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jackson McGrath portrays Enjolras, a young revolutionary, in Medina’s production of Les Misérables, a story of the 1832 June Rebellion in France. Enjolras is the leader of the student revolutionaries.

Medina will perform the musical at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Medina Junior-Senior High School.

Arianna Lake plays the role of Éponine, the daughter of the Thénardiers (right), who is played by Caiden Class. Éponine becomes a ragged street waif and a thief like her father. She secretly loves Marius, one of the revolutionary leaders.

The revolutionaries prepare themselves for battle. “One Day More” is the eve of the rebellion.

Alex Balaban, far right, plays the role of Marius, one of the leaders of the fight.

There are 70 students in the cast and crew, from grades 7 to 12. This is Medina’s second musical production since bringing the program back to Medina after a shared program with Lyndonville for about a decade.

Rachel Trillizio and Anna Ferlito are directors of the show for Medina. They wanted to build on the success of last year’s musical, “Little Mermaid.”

They said Les Misérables is demanding musically and emotionally.

“We decided to go all out for this show,” Trillizio said during a break in a rehearsal this week. “We are proud of the legacy the students are creating.”

Students auditioned for the roles in November with three rehearsals in December to help get younger students acclimated to the demands of this show, Trillizio said.

(Left) Elaina Huntington plays the role of Madame Thenardier, and helps her husband run an inn. She is complicit in most of her husband’s crimes and schemes. (Right) Logan Trillizio plays the role Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601. He is taunted by Javert, a prison guard played by Ryder Jones.

Logan Trillizio as Jean Valjean is finally released after 19 years of imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread. But he breaks parole, changes his identity and constantly is hunted by Javert.

Ryder Jones in the role of Inspector Javert said his character of the policeman is duty-bound to enforce the law, but it becomes more complicated when he sees Valjean may be a good man, and not just a common thief.

“He is conflicted because just because (Valjean) broke the law that doesn’t make him a bad guy,” said Jones, a junior in his first musical.

The cast in inspired by the message of the musical, of the young revolutionaries risking their lives.

“This is about standing up for what you believe in,” Jones said.

Elaina Huntington, a senior, agrees the message has resonated with the students.

“This is a very heavy show,” she said. “Are you willing to die for your beliefs? Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?”