SPORTS WRAP

            Tickets are now available for Les Misérables presented by the Owatonna High School Theater Department. After the spectacular productions of Newsies and Mamma Mia the last two years, this one should be wonderful with several students making their lead debuts.

            In fact, Logan Halverson is out for the first time. “It’s been an absolute blast so far. Every day is a new experience. You get to sing with all your buddies. The acting’s been a little new to me. It’s something that has been getting worked on… It’s been a step into the deep water, if I may say,” said Halverson.

            His character is Jean Valjean, who is fresh out of prison. “I rip up my ticket of telling people I’m a convict which is kind of illegal. I work my way up through the ranks and become the mayor of a town,” he said.

Eventually he finds himself running from the law and being pursued by fellow senior Tyson Kreutter in the role of police inspector Javert. “We’re experimenting with different things (for a fight scene) and seeing what will fit with music and how it will be,” said Halverson.

            Kreutter has a long history of performing. “I’m so excited for my two little solo songs. It’s going to be amazing to sing them. I’ve been practicing them a lot,” he said.

            Senior Isabella Nelson and junior Lane Webber perform as Cosette and Marius, who become a couple. While each has performed before, this is the first lead role for each.

            Nelson told Owatonna Live, “I’m a little nervous though. But I think it’s going to be really good… I usually like to clear my head, take a few deep breaths and go for it.”

            She’s learned much about Les Misérables. “I actually didn’t know anything about the play when it was announced. But after I watched it a couple times, and I really loved it, and I was super excited to get started,” she said. Her character is adopted by Valjean.

            Webber has grown comfortable with a lead role since rehearsals began in early December. “It took a lot of confidence to build up but I feel like I’m slowly getting there. It’s been a very fun journey.”

            He was familiar with the play. “I started digging into it more and started watching it more… I’ve really loved this musical for a long time. Finding out we were going to do it was such a shock, honestly.” His character has a role in the resistance movement.

            Senior Boldin Krause plays the dishonest inn keeper, Thenardier, who provides some comic relief. “I’ve liked working with the character that plays my wife, Mia Armstrong, figuring out what our characters’ dynamic is and how we relate to one another and singing the songs with her in a fun accent.”

Another veteran stage performer, Krause says this is a big one. “This is probably the most complicated show I’ve done all four years I’ve been at this school. There’s so much when it comes to the music. No character in this show is surface level. Every character has multiple meanings. There’s no dialogue at all. It’s completely sung through. You have to be very comfortable singing in front of people if you’re going to be on stage for this.”

            Stage manager and senior Kaylee Ruhlig echoes those sentiments. “It requires a lot of practice (for the stage crew.) You need to be dedicated and want to do what you’re trying to do. We have to work around the actors and the people who are on stage. Because we might be changing something that is on stage while a scene is happening,” said Ruhlig.

            She prefers backstage for the musicals but steps in front of the curtain during one-act play season.

            Sophomore Annika Wilke has always liked performing but says, “I’ve never really sang anything solo on stage. So, it’s going to be an experience and it’s going to be a challenge. But I think it’s going to be super fun.”

            Wilke had some familiarity with the show. “I knew it was really sad and a lot of people said it was boring. But after listening to the music, I think it’s really powerful and important to put on.” She plays Gavroche, Thenardiers’ son.

            Show dates at the Wegner Performing Arts Center at OHS are Feb. 26, 27 and 28, and March 5, 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday, March 1 matinee at 1:30 p.m. Ticket information is available at owatonnaactivities.com.

OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule

Thursday, Feb. 5:
OHS boys swim and dive vs. New Prague, 6 p.m.
OHS girls basketball vs. Albert Lea, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6:
OHS boys basketball vs. Austin, 7:30 p.m.