Open Letter from Mr. Meece to Cast, Crew, Production Team and Volunteers

To the Cast, Crew, Orchestra, Production Team and Volunteers of Les Misérables:


The sound you hear throughout all three of our school’s buildings, and in the community, is the “buzz” created by Newark Charter School’s incredible performances of Les Misérables!


I’m a “fan” of theatre at all levels. Over the years I have probably attended more than 70 high school theatrical productions. In my opinion, and it’s not even close, the finest production I have ever seen is your outstanding performance of Les Mis.


The first thing that stands out is the depth of talent. Some of the cast members have blown me away for years with their singing and acting, which have soared to new levels this year. Equally impressive are the new voices and the voices that have matured so much. What’s really exciting is that there are many young students in the company of Les Mis, and in our Intermediate School productions, who have NCS theatre “stardom” in their near future.


The flawlessness of the performances proved that all the hard work and discipline of countless rehearsals paid off. The dramatic acting, from comic to tragic, connected on an emotional level with the audiences. I saw audience members sitting near me (even some dads!) with tears in their eyes at times. At other times, we were roused to where we felt like jumping on stage with you to “join in your crusade.”


The technical aspects of the show -- from lighting and sound to sets and props -- were most impressive for a high school production. The costumes were just perfect. Our Production Team, along with parent and student volunteers, deserves a round of applause. The work of our directors, choreographers, designers and builders was amazing. If one of us ever wins the lottery, an excellent use of the windfall would be to buy NCS a dedicated theatre with permanent seating to match the high quality of those who perform on its stage.


And then there was the music – so critical to the success of a show like Les Mis. Our orchestra, an incredible mix of students in band and orchestra, as well as professional musicians, performed magnificently. Wow!


Finally, a word to our seniors, most of whom who have graced our NCS stages since they were in middle school. Thank you for pioneering our plays and for setting the bar high for theatre at NCS. From Into the Woods and Castaways to Fiddler on the Roof and Beauty and the Beast – and to your magnum opus, Les Misérables, you have entertained us, you have inspired us, and you have made us very proud.


On behalf of our amazingly talented Director/Producer, Ms. Slease, and the entire NCS faculty and staff, please accept my heartfelt Bravo!


Gregory Meece
School Director