Standing in front of the students’ barricade against the French soldiers are (from left) Rebecca Zanotti, Sienna Nguyen, Colin Stoffer and Tony Hillary. Photo Courtesy of Lilli McNerney
West Springfield High 2026 grad Tony Hillary is starring in Westfield Summer Stage’s upcoming production of “Les Misérables.” He plays Jean Valjean, the legendary hero of this iconic dramatic musical.
The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, July 10-11, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, July 17-18, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance at www.westfieldtheatre.com, or $17 at the door. Performances are at Westfield High, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
There’s a cast and crew of more than 70, plus a 16-piece orchestra. And since so many of the actors are seasoned theater students, Director Christine Maxted said, “It’s been a huge treat to work with this group. The audience will be in awe of their vocal talents and professionalism. It’s hard to believe most of them are still in high school.”
Set in 19th-century France, it’s the story of Jean Valjean, who’s served 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. Thanks to a compassionate bishop, he’s released from prison and reinvents himself, becoming a wealthy businessman and mayor focused on redeeming himself and helping others.
He also adopts Cosette, an orphan whose destitute single mother, Fantine, was forced into prostitution after losing her factory job. She needs the money so she can send it to the Thénardiers, corrupt innkeepers holding her daughter captive. Meanwhile, Javert, a rigid and uncompromising police inspector, doesn’t believe Valjean has reformed and relentlessly pursues him for decades.
Later, as Cosette grows up, she falls in love with Marius, a student revolutionary who fights in the 1832 Paris Uprising. He’s severely wounded during the violent battle, and Valjean risks his life to save him.
A dramatic musical, the show’s “overarching messages are about hope, forgiveness and redemption,” said Maxted. “People will connect with various characters and see [similarities to] their own life experiences and dreams. It’s not often done at schools because of its level of difficulty. The audience will be inspired by our well-trained and committed actors – it’s quality theater.”
As for Valjean, Hillary said, “He starts out as downtrodden, hopeless, and bitter at the government and the world. But a bishop takes him under his wing and shows him love and compassion. So he becomes driven to become a better person and turn his life around.
“When he begins taking care of Cosette – first, as a child and then as a teen – he’s protective of her and you see his caring side. Yet, even though he becomes softer and more compassionate, he still has an edge and isn’t afraid to stand up to Javert and fight for what’s right.”
The hardest part of playing Valjean, said Hillary, is “trying to portray his toughness while not being off-putting to the audience and being someone they could relate to and root for. But I like all his interactions with the other characters – not just acting, but also musically. So it’s fun to explore the different, recurring, musical themes in the show.”
Hillary’s favorite song is “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” because “it’s character-driven and intimate. Marius expresses his most raw emotions, despair and regret. It starts softly and builds to a huge crescendo.”
He also said audiences will be able to easily follow the storyline. “Mrs. Maxted made sure we understood the story, characters and their context,” he explained. “And when the actors understand the material, it’s easier for audiences to understand what’s going on. So it informs our acting and makes our performances more believable.”