Les Misérables Opens 2016-17 YouthWorks Season at Theater Works

  Original Broadway Cast Member Set to Direct

(Peoria, AZ) Theater Works opens its 2016-17 YouthWorks Season on September 9 with Les Misérables School Edition. The tale of love and rebellion is set to be directed by Kelli James, a member of Les Miserables original Broadway company. James appeared in Theater Works’ 2014-15 hit Follies. She has worked in the theatre for 40 years in Broadway Shows and many National tours and concerts. James has been coaching young artists for the theatre for 15 years. She is a top vocal coach and director who has co-directed Annie, Into The Woods, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Valley Youth Theatre, Charlotte’s Web for DST and Suessical for Off Square Theatre Co. in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has received 3 AriZoni Award Nominations for acting and directing and won an AriZoni Award for original Choreography as well as an Inspirational Award for her role as The Fairy Godmother inCinderella.

James May, Music Director and Conductor of the original Les Miserables Broadway production is slated as the Musical Director for the YouthWorks season-opening show. “We are thrilled to have the incredibly talented Kelli James and James May as part of our production. Having Broadway artists at the helm will take this show to a whole new level,” stated Chris Hamby, Director of Youth Programming for Theater Works. “This is a unique opportunity for our young people to learn from professional artists.”

Auditions for Les Misérables School Edition will be held June 25. Auditions are open to youth 13-18 years of age. Actors are asked to prepare 32 bars of a selection from classical Broadway. Accompanist, CD player and mp3 hook ups will be available. Additional audition information at theaterworks.org/auditions-youthworks.

The 2016-17 YouthWorks Season sees a twist on a classic tale, musical masterpieces and some fairytales come to life. The 31st YouthWorks season opens with Les Misérables on stage September 9 – 25 and is followed by In the Village of the Brothers Grimm, the telling of eight tales by the folklore storytellers. The new year begins with the classic story of switching places. The Pauper Princess takes a new twist on Mark Twain’s 19^th century novel. The YouthWorks season concludes with Once Upon a Mattress, the whimsical musical spin on the familiar classic with a dash of side-splitting shenanigans.

Single performance tickets for Theater Works 31^th Season will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 1, 2016.  For more information, visit www.theaterworks.org.

The Theater Works Box Office can be reached at 623.815.7930 Monday - Friday 10am to 4pm.  Theater Works is located at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (8355 W. Peoria Ave, Peoria).

Theater Works, at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is entering its 30th season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley.  As a destination, it features more than 200 events a year including: live theater, classical concerts, jazz, popular music, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, youth and adult education classes and much more.  Theater Works is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information, call the box office at 623.815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.