PSST! Presents "Les Misérables" June 5-28

Peach State Summer Theatre will present a 15-performance run of "Les Misérables” June 5-28.

VALDOSTA — Peach State Summer Theatre will bring to the stage a haunting story of heartbreak, passion, and the resilience of the human spirit when it presents “Les Misérables” June 5-28. Tickets are on sale now.

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring book by Alain Boublil, book and music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, “Les Misérables,” according to Musical Theatre International, “is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit,” one that “packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world.” It is a classic tale of love, courage, and hope, and as the longest-running musical in the world, has been seen by more than 70 million people in 42 countries.  

“In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment,” according to a Musical Theatre International synopsis. “He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long.”

Directed by Randy Wheeler, Peach State Summer Theatre’s production of “Les Misérables” will enjoy a 15-performance run — 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 5; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 19; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 21; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 26; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28. All performances will be held in Valdosta State University’s Sawyer Theatre, which is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the corner of Oak Street and Brookwood Drive. 

Peach State Summer Theatre, or PSST!, is Valdosta’s premiere professional summer stock theatre. Each summer, dozens of singers, dancers, technicians, managers, and creators gather on the campus of Valdosta State University for 10 weeks, and during that time, they rehearse, build, and present three musicals. The 2015 season includes “Always … Patsy Cline,” which opens June 17 and runs through July 18, and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” which opens July 3 and runs through July 19.

The 2015 Peach State Summer Theatre season marks the 26^th year of VSU producing professional theatre for the city of Valdosta, the state of Georgia, and beyond. From 1990 to 2004, VSU produced the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival. In 2005, the summer theatre program was relocated to the university and renamed PSST!

The Georgia Legislature designated Valdosta State’s summer stock theatre program the Official Musical Theatre of the State of Georgia.

VSU’s Jacque Wheeler serves as the artistic director of Peach State Summer Theatre. H. Duke Guthrie is the managing director.

Individual admission is $31.28 for adults and $25.93 for students and senior citizens, including taxes and fees.

Season memberships remain available through Friday, June 5. The cost is $89.67 for adults and $73.62 for students and senior citizens, including taxes and fees. Each season membership includes three admissions to be redeemed as the member desires with advance reservations.

The Peach State Summer Theatre Box Office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. It is located on the first floor of the Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, at the corner of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street, and can be reached by calling (229) 259-7770.

Visit www.valdosta.edu/psst for more information.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/vstatenews?ref=hl to view additional photos, as well as a cast list and more. 

On the Web:

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/communication-arts/peach-state-summer-theatre/welcome.php

http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000134

NOTE: “Les Misérables” is rated PG-13 and is presented in two acts with one 15-minute intermission.