Rhinelander High School senior to play Eponine in ‘Les Mis’

Rhinelander High School senior Elena Larson is set to take the stage this evening as Eponine Thenardier in a Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater production of “Les Miserable: School Edition” at the James Veninga Theatre on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Wausau campus.

The show will run through Feb. 23, with a total of eight performances. 

Performances are scheduled for Feb. 14–16 and Feb. 20–23. Tickets are available at cwct.booktix.com. The price is $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and youth.

Larson has been passionate about acting and singing since the sixth grade and has been featured in a number of School District of Rhinelander productions during her high school years. Among others, she played the title role in “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” and “Rusty” in the school’s recent production of “Footloose.” 

In addition, she earned a pair of Jerry Awards for her performances as Babette in “Beauty and the Beast” and Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy in “Shrek”.

The Jerry Awards is a high school musical awards program that “encourages, recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater.”

According to the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, which sponsors the program, educators and industry professionals review productions at Wisconsin high schools and/or community theater organizations and provide feedback to students. 

In her role as Eponine, Larson will be sharing the stage with a talented group of performers from school districts across the north-central part of the state.

“We’re excited to bring this iconic musical to life with such a dedicated group of high school performers,” the production’s director, Randy Hansen, said in a press release. “Their passion, energy, and commitment to the show are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to share this remarkable production with the community.”

As fans of musical theater know, “Les Mis” tells the story of Jean Valjean, a man striving for redemption amidst the backdrop of revolutionary France. 

“From the first note from the orchestra to the last triumphant song, you will be transported to France in the early 1800s, experiencing historical events of the June Rebellion of 1832,” noted assistant director Cindi Strobel. “The joy, heartbreak, love, loss, and redemption that tells the beautiful story of Les Misérables are not to miss.” 

“One of the great things about doing a show like this is that you bring in teens from all over the central Wisconsin area,” Strobel added. “It’s a very different experience from high school theatre because it really broadens their perspective, they learn to work with a wider variety of people, from fellow cast members to adult directors. I’m always telling the kids I work with that theatre is a family, a show like this just adds more members to that family.”

“Les Mis” features a number of well-known musical numbers including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “One Day More” and “On My Own,” a solo Larson will perform as Eponine.

A few days before opening night, Larson told the River News she’s still “in awe” that she was cast in one of the show’s lead roles.

“I find it a major steppingstone in my theater journey to play such an iconic and beloved dramatic role in such a well-known musical,” she said. “I’m fortunate to work with many of my friends in the Wausau community as well. I’m just very thankful.”

For more information on the production, follow CWCT on Facebook. 

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].