YES Company shows you’re never too young for a revolution

Injustice, corruption, poverty, revolution. While the themes in “Les Misérables” may be mature, it doesn’t necessarily take an adult to understand them.

The young cast in YES Company’s production of “Les Misérables, School Edition” said the emotional, political musical is exactly the kind of meaty show they’ve been dreaming about.

“This show makes you feel some really deep emotions, especially with what is going on in society today,” said 16-year-old YES Company newcomer and Venture Academy junior Jaden White.

The Youth Entertainment Stage Company celebrates its 25th anniversary year with a student production of the epic Broadway musical. The show opens Friday, July 22, at Gallo Center for the Arts. This will be the program’s second time staging “Les Miz”; the first time was in 2003.

“This show is a great challenge for the kids, but also a great learning experience for them,” said YES Company founding artistic director Melanee Wyatt.

Set in early 19th-century France, the show follows a poor man who serves 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread and then breaks his parole only to become a rich factory owner. Over the years he is doggedly tracked by a fanatical police inspector. It includes such soaring numbers as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “One More Day.”

While the action may take place some 200 years ago, the middle and high school students in the production said it remains as topical as ever. The show, which has been abbreviated for its student edition, still tackles everything from police corruption to economic inequality and citizens’ revolt.

Those present-day parallels aren’t lost on the cast of 80 students from across Stanislaus County.

“With everything going on in the world right now – from civil rights to terrorism – it helps us understand the feelings and stories the show is trying to tell. This is a show about revolution and people who want a better life for themselves,” said 18-year-old recent Gregori High graduate Alex Seifert, who plays relentless police inspector Javert.

To help the cast get into character, workshops were held for the students about French history and language as well as military protocol.

While the young actors may not be old enough to have experienced some of the horrors that befall the characters in the production, the story’s emotional arc touched many deeply. They include 18-year-old recent Turlock High graduate Mara Patino, who plays the tragic Éponine and sings the stirring anthem “On My Own.”

“It has been surprisingly emotional for me. My character goes through so much; I have to delve into that and also tap into current issues,” she said. “I have been sitting around and practicing and find myself crying just thinking about my character.”

Still, for its heavy themes and subject matter, cast members said being a part of the show has been a thrill. And they hope audiences take away the hope and humanity at the heart of the musical.

“It’s an amazing challenge with a lot of dark elements, but also a lot of elements of hope,” said 18-year-old recent Enochs High grad Yontae Stinson, who plays young revolutionary student Prouvaire. “That gave me the motivation to tell this story, to tell my version of this story with its themes of civil rights. It’s a privilege and an honor to be in something like this.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "YES Company shows you’re never too young for a revolution."