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By Leon Thompson
Photos by Ken Jacques
December 6, 2014 – Those of us who love musicals know the importance of the storyline. But it’s the music that expresses the power, the grief, and the love that make Les Miserables the world’s longest running musical.
SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television and Film has teamed up with the School of Music and Dance to present “Les Miserable, the Concert” – a lavish production focused on music, not stagecraft, with nearly 200 musical performers on stage throughout the evening. This production is like skipping to the good parts without missing the plot. A final performance will be held Sunday, December 7th at 2 p.m. (For tickets visit http://ttf.sdsu.edu/.)
At the back of the stage are 110 members of the SDSU Aztec Concert Choir on a raised platform. Sometimes they are seated singing reverently as if in a church. At other times they are on their feet celebrating and dancing.
In the foreground is the 58-member SDSU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Gerdes. A special spotlight on him from above showcases his spirited direction.
Seated in front on stage is cast of performers. On the right are the women: factory workers, whores, nuns and townsfolk. Stage left has the men: prisoners, students, officers, gang members and clergy. Staging consists of lights and smoke. Projected on screens on either side of the stage are illustrations and excerpts from Victor Hugo’s original novel that inspired the musical.
Everyone on stage is dressed in black with the exceptions of little Cosette, in a simple white dress, and Jean Valjean, played by Ivan Rutherford who has previously starred in the role on Broadway. Rutherford displays a commanding voice and expansive vocal range.
The story of Les Miserable is tragic with a huge dose of suffering and injustice. But there is also joy, young couples in love and two innkeepers who run a notorious tavern providing comic relief, gloating as they pick the pockets of unsuspecting guests and engage in schemes from larceny to 
blackmail.
This epic tale set in the turbulent decades following the French Revolution follows the life of Jean Valjean, who was released from prison after serving 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. He is relentlessly pursuit by Javert (portrayed by Patrick Walders), a policeman intent on returning Valjean to prison. (Photo, left: Rutherford and Walders, as Valjean and Javert)
The story focuses on Valjean’s life-long struggle for redemption as he strives to raise Cosette, a factory worker’s daughter. Tensions rise as revolution breaks out in the streets of Paris, with tragic consequences. Yet in the end, hope lives on, following emotional and breathtaking musical performances by the chorus, orchestra, and stars of this unique production.
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