After months of sawdust flying in the shop, brushes painting in the black box, and late nights spent perfecting every note and cue, Manhasset High School’s Theatre Department performed another breathtaking annual musical: Les Misérables. The performance left audiences on their feet—and wanting even more.
Based on the classic 1862 novel of the same name, Les Misérables follows the journey of Jean Valjean, a former convict seeking redemption in a France defined by deep injustice. Manhasset’s student performers brought the narrative to life with their captivating vocals, intricate choreography, and passionate storytelling, transporting audiences to a different world.
For Director Victoria DiCarlo, this production was the culmination of months of unwavering effort and passion. “We rehearsed from the first week of school, working seven days a week in November to make the show happen,” she explained. “My favorite part of the show itself is the ending scene. I thought they did a beautiful job, and it is the only time where the entire cast is onstage together,” she said. “But my actual favorite part of the process is behind the scenes. We have a circle moment before each show where we really get to connect, and after the curtain closes, there’s just an outpouring of love and accomplishment.”
That spirit of unity was felt throughout the process, especially by the production’s seniors, experiencing their final high school performance. Among them was senior and head of props Katie Monaco, whose team’s work transformed 21st-century Manhasset into glorious 19th-century France. For her, the emotional rollercoaster of closing each show was something she’ll never forget. “Bows were different every night for crew members,” she recalled. “Some nights we ran waving and jumping, others we walked onstage sobbing.”
With Les Mis, Manhasset High School students didn’t just stage a musical; they ignited a movement in people’s hearts, creating an experience the audience will remember forever. And if this production is any indication of what’s to come, the future of Manhasset Theatre promises to be nothing but extraordinary.
