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Arts & Entertainment

Fairfield Teen Theatre Stages 'Les Miz'

The smell of greasepaint, and the chance to hone their craft, has attracted local youth for more than 40 years to the summer theater stage.

As they rehearsed songs from the musical “Les Miserables”, which they would perform at this weekend's sidewalk sales, some members of the Fairfield Teen Theatre (FTT) reminisced about past experiences with the organization.

Max Rein, 18, said that FTT has come a long way in the six years he's
been participating in its summer productions. However, founding director William Stansfield reminded him that the group has been around for much longer than that. Established by Stansfield in 1966, the Fairfield Teen Players first staged a production of “The King and I.” Working out of the Fairfield University Playhouse, the theater group expanded in 1970 and, sponsored by the Fairfield Board of Recreation,
created three additional companies: the Pre-Teen Players, the Magic Box Theatre, and the Little Theatre.

Carole Jean Frawley, who is musical director and producer of “Les Miz,” took the reins in 1985. She was assisted by Gerry Lombardo.

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“I directed the FTT shows for 19 years, then was out of it until Carole
called and said, 'I need a director — will you come back?'” Stansfield said. “That was for 'Oliver!' in 2001.”

A teacher and dean at Tomlinson Middle School for 35 years, Stansfield retired in 1993. He and Frawley both said that they continue to be involved with the summer productions because they like working with Fairfield's youth. Max admitted that although he enjoyed debuting with FTT as JoJo in “Seussical the Musical” six years ago, he is excited to now perform the challenging musical numbers in “Les Miserables.” Max is portraying the romantic male lead, Marius.

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“'Seussical' was a good show but to now be doing a great show like 'Les Miz' is unbelievable,” Max said. “It's got the title, the recognition and the music. The key, though, is that we're not only doing it, but we're doing it well. I think it's going to be a great production.” 

Max, who will attend Georgetown University this fall, was last seen this spring in Fairfield Preparatory School's production of “Damn
Yankees.” He also participated for nine years in the Fairfield County Children's Chamber Choir for 10 years. FTT's summer audiences will remember him onstage in FTT's “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” too.

Victoria Peri, 19, who portrays Cosette, Max's onstage love interest, agreed that Les Miz's musical score is “gorgeous.”

“I was really excited when I found out we were doing it this year,”
Victoria said. Like Max, this is her sixth summer with FTT. This year, Victoria was the music director of an Irving Berlin revue. She has taken private voice lessons with Ivan Rutherford and Scott Handley at the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut.

Jordan Mann, 19, who plays Fantine, also a leading role, has appeared
numerous times in FTT's productions. Last year, though, Jordan was  a founder of the Fairfield Youth Summer Shakespeare Company and performed in its debut production of “Twelfth Night.” She played Olivia.

Though Jordan wanted to be part of the new Shakespeare ensemble this summer, when she learned FTT was staging “Les Miz,” she had to audition.

“I have always wanted to do this show and this is the role that I have
always wanted to play,” Jordan said. In Act I, Jordan performs one of the show's most well-known songs, “I Dreamed a Dream.”

“I love this production,” Jordan said. “We have some really talented people.”

Unlike many of the other thespians portraying leading roles, Steve Autore, 17, is a gifted newcomer this season to FTT.  A rising senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Steve will tackle the complexities of
Jean Valjean, a character who couldn't be more different than the role of Curley he performed last spring in the Rodgers & Hammerstein
musical, “Oklahoma!” Though he admitted that the role is challenging, Steve is working hard daily to master the aging process his character goes through during the play, which is based on Victor Hugo's novel.

“It's going very well, though,” Steve said.

“Les Miz” will be presented at Fairfield Warde High School on Friday and Saturday, August 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. And Sunday, August 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for
students/seniors. Tickets are available at the door and by calling
(203) 372-9464.

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