Early Light Academy, in proud partnership with Kensington Theatre, was thrilled to bring back an audience favorite that has captivated hearts and inspired generations: Les Misérables. As the world’s longest-running musical and a true modern classic, this powerful production is based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel and features one of the most unforgettable scores in musical theatre history. Designed to be an extraordinary experience for teen performers and audiences alike, this show delivered the same emotional impact and excellence as our past three unforgettable productions.
Les Misérables performed June 18-27. 2026 and was directed by Toni Butler with music direction by Anna Galura Summers and Erin Walker accompanied by a live orchestra under the direction of Michelle Willis.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE:
In our poster image, Jean Valjean kneels holding two objects while caught in profound inner conflict: a red scarf and a forty sous coin. What do these symbols mean? I’m glad you asked:)
The Red Scarf: The red scarf in this production is rooted in a question posed by Victor Hugo in the novel:
“There is a point when the infamous and the unfortunate are associated and confused in a word, a mortal work, les miserables; whose fault is it? And then, when the fall is the furthest, is that not when charity should be the greatest?”
Throughout this production you will see these moments of “les miserables” punctuated with a red cloth that will pass from one character to the next.
The 40 Sous Coin: After receiving the Bishop’s mercy — the candlesticks and the red scarf — Valjean walks the road in stunned disbelief. Is he worthy of such grace? Can a man marked by nineteen years of imprisonment ever be made new?
Then comes Petit Gervais— a pivotal moment from Hugo’s novel that does not appear in the musical, but is essential in ours. A young boy accidentally drops a forty-sous coin beneath Valjean and begs for its return. Hardened by years of survival, Valjean drives him away without understanding. Only after the child has gone does Valjean see the coin. In that instant, he realizes what he has done. Even after the Bishop’s gift, he has stolen from a child. The weight of his past crashes down upon him. He cries after the boy, but it is too late.
This is his turning point.
He falls to the ground and, for the first time in nineteen years, he weeps. The coin becomes the symbol of choice for the rest of his life: remain the man the world has made him or become the man the Bishop believes he can be. In this moment, Jean Valjean chooses to take the Bishop’s gift and bless others with it. He chooses mercy. He chooses transformation. He chooses hope: He chooses to give himself a moment of “les miserables”.
It is my hope that as you leave our production you will be inspired to create your own moments of “les miserables”; to show this great charity to others and to yourselves, especially when undeserved.
What a privilege it has been to direct this masterpiece of musical theatre for a fourth time alongside such a talented cast of young performers, an extraordinary production team, and a remarkable orchestra. We have treasured this journey, and we are thrilled to share it with you!
Take a Peak at this beautiful production:
The Cast of Les Misérables
- Jean ValjeanBenjamin Fox
- Jean Valjean UnderstudyColin Parker
- JavertJohnnie Oliphant
- FantineAlana Larsen
- MariusRowan Morley
- CosetteAshley Barnum
- Little CosetteAudrey McDonald
- EponineSayla Butler
- Little EponineSophie Lee
- Bishop of DigneColin Parker
- Sister ServantsCourtney Bradfield, Sarah Harman
- ThenardierMiles Villastrigo
- Madame ThenardierHannah Hansen
- GavrocheCharlie Johnson
- Little GavrocheWaylon Kurtz
- Gavroche's GangAbigail Campbell, Audrey McDonald, Ayrabel Crawford, Caleb Bentley, Eliza Morley, Grace Petersen, Hope Nielsen, Leo Karr, Mateo Flores, Rose Burrell
- Petit GervaisLeo Karr
- EnjolrasJonah Blaney*
- GrantaireMax Talley
- CombeferreJaxon Hoggan
- CourferacHunter Taylor
- FeuillyColin Parker
- JolyKai Flores
- LesglesEaston Oldham
- ProuvairePaul Scherbel
- ABC StudentsBen Dorius, Carter Voight, Creed Strong, Francoe Alexander, Holden Thurber, Isaac Banks, Mason Voges, Sean McAllister, Timothy Campbell
- Convict 1Miles Villastrigo
- Convict 2Jaxon Hoggan
- Convict 3Jonah Blaney
- Convict 4Max Talley
- Convict 5Hunter Taylor
- Chain GangBen Dorius, Carter Voight, Creed Strong, Easton Oldham, Francoe Alexander, Holden Thurber, Isaac Banks, Kai Flores, Mason Voges, Rowan Morley, Sean McAllister, Timothy Campbell
- FarmerPaul Scherbel
- LaborerColin Parker
- LaborersBen Dorius, Carter Voight, Creed Strong, Francoe Alexander, Holden Thurber, Isaac Banks, Mason Voges, Sean McAllister, Timothy Campbell, Elm Lingwall, August Balhorn
- Constable 1Jaxon Hoggan
- Constable 2Jonah Blaney
- ForemanMax Talley
- Factory Girl 1Aubrey Enger
- Factory Girl 2/4Cali Douglas
- Factory Girl 5Reagan Lund
- Factory GirlsAshley Barnum, Sayla Butler, Daniela Garcia, Maidie Pearson, Amelia Campbell, Gabbie Spencer, Lydia Bucko, Sarah Harman
- Lovely Lady 1Daniela Garcia
- Lovely Lady 2Sayla Butler
- Lovely Lady 3Sadie Ray
- Lovely LadiesRey Taylor, Katie Moffitt, Amélie Mariani, Addelyn Stark, Reagan Lund, Aubrey Enger
- Old WomanCali Douglas
- BamataboisEaston Oldham
- FauchelevanJaxon Hoggan
- Onlooker 1Hunter Taylor
- Onlooker 2Kai Flores
- Onlooker 3Colin Parker
- Onlooker 4Paul Scherbel
- Bystander 1Daniela Garcia
- Bystander 2Maidie Pearson
- JudgeTimothy Campbell
- Champmathiieu, Mistaken Jean ValjeanMax Talley
- PoorAbigail Campbell, Alice Pratt, Audrey McDonald, August Balhorn, Ayrabel Crawford, Caitlyn Richards, Caleb Bentley, Charlie Johnson, Courtney Bradfield, Eliza Morley, Elm Lingwall, Grace Petersen, Hannah Hansen, Hope Nielsen, Kamryn Donio, Kiya Warburton, Leo Karr, Mateo Flores, Miles, Villastrigo, Rose Burrell, Savannah Wilde
- BabetKai Flores
- BrujonPaul Scherbel
- ClaquesousEaston Oldham
- MontparnasseJaxon Hoggan
- ThugsElm Lingwall, August Balhorn
- Major DomoCarter Voight
- Army OfficerTBD
- Soldiers/PoliceCREW
- Turning Solo 1Aubrey Enger
- Turning Solo 2Reagan Lund
- Turning Solo 3Maidie Pearson
- Turning Solo 4Cali Douglas
- Turning EnsembleAbigail Campbell, Addelyn Stark, Alice Pratt, Amelia Campbell, Amélie Mariani, Aubrey Enger, Audrey McDonald, Ayrabel Crawford, Caitlyn Richards, Cali Douglas, Courtney Bradfield, Daniela Garcia, Eliza Morley, Gabbie Spencer, Grace Petersen, Hannah Hansen, Hope Nielsen, Kamryn Donio, Katie Moffitt, Kiya warburton, Lydia Bucko, Maidie Pearson, Rey Taylor, Rose Burrell, Sadie Ray, Sarah Harman, Savannah Wilde
- Wedding Ballroom DancersSayla Butler and Kai Flores, Sadie Ray and Hunter Taylor, Amelia Campbell and Isaac Banks, Daniela Garcia and Holden Thurber, Maidie Pearson and Jonah Blaney, Alana Larsen and Jaxon Hoggan, Aubrey Enger and Max Talley, Reagan Lund and Paul Scherbel
