Les Misérables

The epic musicalization of Victor Hugo’s classic novel took the theatrical world by storm, and MTWichita was one of the first regional theatres to be granted the right to produce its own version. Initially built in 2008 and refurbished in 2013, this intelligently conceived set and costume package preserves the massive scope of the story, but loads in and out of theaters very efficiently, and in performance allows for the swift set changes required by the show’s structure.

Scenery

Costumes

Properties

Drops

Projections

Scenery

The handsome scenic design by Bruce Brockman includes a sturdy and deceptively versatile framing structure, which stays in place throughout the show, augmented by rolling, sliding, and moveable pieces which define the different locations. The design does not use a turntable, but is a traditional “wing and drop” design, with almost exclusively hard pieces involved. The barricade is designed to track into position.

Built: 2008/2013
Movement: Flys / onstage units actor motivated
Offstage space: 16’ SR & SL / 8’x30’ US
Number of Trucks: * 2- 53’ air-ride
# Line sets used: 19 with 9-hard units / 1-married pipe)
Groundrow: None
Portals: 3 (using house goods)
Load-in crew: 10-carps / 6-elec / 2-props / 4-fly
Load-in time: 10+ hours
Show crew: 4-carps / 2-elec / 2-props
Fly crew: 2

*See Space requirements for Logistic Requirements

Costumes

Costumes by Debbie Roberts follow the established template for this story, with hundreds of individual wardrobe elements combining to tell the epic story with clarity and vivid style. As dictated by the show’s structure and constantly moving trajectory, costumes are all designed for quick changes, or for adding identifying elements to basic unit costumes. The costume package was built for a fairly large cast of principals, plus an extra ensemble of “peasants.”