Les Mis

Jodie and I watched an amazing production of Les Miserables this evening performed by IISD students. Although backed up musically in the pit and choir by some teachers and adult performers, the entire stage was completely comprised of high school and middle school student performances. Wow! These kids can sing!

It was an impressive display of district talent as all three high schools and several middle schools were represented in the cast. What made the evening really special for us was seeing the lead of Jean Valjean played by Jason Whitfield, an outstanding vocalist who also happens to be both a former student of Jodie's 4th grade math class and a member of the youth group I previously served. That personal connection made the musical that much more enjoyable for us. Jason and the other students, including three more from my youth group, did a remarkable job presenting Victor Hugo's story. Despite some technical difficulties the production value of this student performance was top notch. In fact, several people in the audience expressed how impressed they were with the show. (I knew it would be good after seeing last year's performance of Fiddler on the Roof, because the students did a great job on that one as well.)

Afterwards we visited with friends who were in attendance and offerred congratulations to the performers for a job well done. We even saw the Gribnitz family and learned that Jim and Nikki are expecting a baby girl this December—Congratulations! Everyone we met thoroughly enjoyed the show and all agreed that this school musical was incredible.

What a wonderful night of stirring performances by talented, young, aspiring students.