Come and see talented JCHS cast

To the editor:

Please go see Jay County High School’s production of “Les Misérables" this weekend. Performances are tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

This group of high school students is talented beyond their years. They have worked extremely long hours to present an amazing show that is going to blow away the audiences.

To say, “It is beyond any high school production you’ve ever seen,” is not hyperbole. These. Teens. Are. Talented.

Choral directors Susan Denney and Jan Rittenhouse have groomed the choral department in general, and this group of singers in particular, for such a time as this.

Carol Gebert has simultaneously built the theatre department into a state powerhouse. Dave Flowers has been brought in to offer his professional coaching to the players.

“Les Misérables,” quite simply, is not done at the high school level because so many components must align concurrently: musical talent of the multiple principals to handle advanced melodies and competing harmonies; theatrical talent to be believable in the portrayal of the characters as well as dramatically capable of expressing the emotional ranges of the script; a company that, too, can carry the hauntingly majestic melodies and harmonies; technical crews that can successfully choreograph set, sound, and lighting; and behind-the-scenes commitment to the vision and long hours of preparation.

Eighteen months ago, Denney and Rittenhouse had the vision of producing “Les Misérables" when they realized that all of these factors, including the broad musical talent of these then 12- to 16-year-olds, would, indeed, be present this fall.

For those who saw “Grease” two years ago, this production goes well beyond, if you can even imagine. For those who missed “Grease,” don’t be left out this time around.

For the entire community, come be blown away. I predict that this production of “Les Mis” will be remembered for the next three decades as a watershed moment in Jay County High School’s theatrical history.

Yes. These kids are that good.

Come be moved to tears of pride and joy.

Greg Rittenhouse

Portland