NEW GENERATION THEATRE FEATURES AREA YOUNG PERFORMERS

August 15 through the 17, 2013, The New Generation Theatre, a young performers theatre company in Rockland, launches its third annual production “Les Miserables.” This classic opera, musically composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg, is based on the book by Alain Boublil. The tragic story of “Les Miserables” is brought to life by a cast of teenagers from the Hudson Valley area under the direction of Sol Bloch and Justin Boccitto, with assistance from Mitchell Schneider and Will Rich.

“‘Les Miserables’… became like a bible to me. I had never read a story that moved me or touched me so deeply as this story,” David McDonald, five-time Broadway veteran, stopped into the New Generation Theatre’s rehearsal on Monday, July 17, to speak to the cast about their production of the Victor Hugo-inspired play. McDonald joined the Broadway cast of Les Mis as Grantaire for their 10th-Anniversary production and climbed through the ranks of the show, performing as the foreman, the Bishop of Digne, Monsieur Thenardier, and Inspector Javert. McDonald lent his years of expertise to these young professionals, taking the cast through an in-depth analysis of every character. Focusing on the particular moments that reveal the most beautiful or tragic traits of each character, he stressed the study of Hugo’s original source material as well as the need to find a personal resonance within these characters. While discussing most ensemble members’ first appearance on stage, “At the End of the Day,” McDonald states, “At that moment you have to be the depths of the poor.” After fielding questions ranging on topics from his experience in ‘Les Mis’ to his personal acting methods developed over the course of his career, McDonald departed, but he left behind a cast of inspired teenagers ready and eager to raise the bar for youth theater everywhere.

The New Generation Theatre’s performance of “Les Miserables” is made possible in collaboration with Danielle Rudess (wife of all-time great rock keyboardist Jordan Rudess) and the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre. “Les Miserables” will be performed at North Rockland High School in Thiells, New York. Performances will take place on Thursday August 15 at 6:30pm, Friday August 16 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday August 17 at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at www.newgenerationtheatre.com. Ticket Prices: $15 (Adults) $12 (Students/Seniors). North Rockland High School Auditorium is located at 106 Hammond Road, Thiells, NY, 10984.

Participants include: Katie Hock (Airmont, NY); Gustavo Garcia (Congers, NY); Dante Giannetta, Anna Uhl (Cornwall, NY); Jason Herring, Christopher Kenny, Kimberly Kenny, Julianne Medina, Elizabeth Petit-Clair (Garnerville NY); Jarrett Morley (Grandview, NY); Joseph Cobb, Gabby Wheeler (Haverstraw NY); Tyler Miranda (Highland Falls, NY); Kellie Baer (Monroe, NY); Thomas Hoehmann, Matthew Quirk, Stephanie Wu (Nanuet NY); Shauna Bahssin, Jesse Blackman, Charlsey Coyle, Kristen Danylu, Lauren Douglas, Carolyn Mistele, Sofia Ohrynowicz, Maris Quagliata, Sean Ryan, Scott Weiner, Jesse Wills, Melissa Zeller (New City, NY); Amanda Ferraro, Kantor, Reid Kantor, Jordan Katz-Gerrish, Liz Aubrey Lefkowitz, John Carlos Lefkowitz, Shannon Montague, Andrew Mosner, Nick Murphy, Sammy Quinn, Taylor Rose Rizzotti, Jack Rodenbach (West Nyack); Phoebe Holland, Meghan McDonald (Nyack NY); Erin McDermott, Dana McGuire, Julia O’Sullivan (Pearl River NY); Gabrielle Sarubbo, Sophia Sarubbo, Lauryn Smallwood (Pomona, NY); Cheyenne Myrie (Spring Valley, NY); Dionna Caiati, Maya Cuevas, Maggie Dorfman, Kieran Feeney, Anthony Fontanez, Elizabeth Gibbons, Meghan Griffin, Dan McCaffrey, Catherine Mizzi, Jacqueline Peterson, Jessica Warren, Andrew Winkelhoff, Elizabeth Winkelhoff (Stony Point NY); Ari Lachenauer, Phoebe Lachenauer, Colin McCalla, Calli Santangelo, Rachel Tian (Suffern, NY); Katie Sadoff (Tallman, NY); Jennifer Brooks, Olivia Burlew (Thiells NY); Daria Fatemi (Tuxedo, NY); Neverson Cadesca, Justine Gizzi (West Haverstraw, NY).

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