Submitted for the approval of the Playbill Society: I call this story, "The Many Adventures of #DeadFantine." BREAK.
Victoria Huston-Elem
After several weeks of rehearsal, its finally time to open our epic production of Les Miserables! Here's a view of our sign-in board, complete with daily memos and reminders.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Our beautiful theatre: The Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall. Try to imagine looking out at all these people during the closing number.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Waiting for last-minute notes from our director. Fellow actor Kai Daly is rocking his beard. I am rocking the bald look.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Not actually bald! Just pin-curled. Sarah Quinn (Cosette) and I are ready for wigs and microphones.
Victoria Huston-Elem
A quick look at our stunning set. Designed by Michael Raiford, we have a three-story barricade spinning on a giant turntable. This set is made even more impressive by Helena Kuukka's elegant lighting design.
Victoria Huston-Elem
As we make our way backstage, we are greeted by tables of wigs all prepped for quick changes in Act Two. Our hair designer, Cindy Ludwig, is always on top of her game.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Speaking of wigs, here's one that didn't make the cut. Our creative team decided they wanted something shorter and less styled for Fantine's haircut. Too bad, because this is the blonde doppleganger of Victoria Huston-Elem circa 2006.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Off to my dressing room, which features a very slippery leather couch. I was sitting upright seconds before.
Victoria Huston-Elem
My family sent flowers for opening/my early birthday. Leave it to my sister-in-law to find a balloon that says "Break A Leg!"
Victoria Huston-Elem
As I start piling on the stage makeup, my sassy dresser, Christopher Sieker, steams my Whore Couture.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Chris and I often steam together. Its very good for the voice, you know.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Chris is also a champion bow-tyer.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Action shot of hair designer Cindy prepping Enjolras (Dallas Lish) for his wavy locks.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Maggie Spicer pulls a face as fellow actress, Renée Lawrence, braids her hair.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Storm Lineberger is almost too cool for his microphone. Almost.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Dallas Lish in all his Enjolras glory! Complete with photobomb by Javert (Danny Rothman)
Victoria Huston-Elem
Can we take a moment to talk about this bronzer? Its made with cocoa powder, and when I contour my nose I kind of want to lick my face. Judge me if you will.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Here she is! Fantine (and toilet)! Definitely wish I could drop this wig in my purse after we close.
Victoria Huston-Elem
And then there's the Jesus Spider. Walking on water, you know. #NOOKLAHOMA
Victoria Huston-Elem
Checking in pre-show with Eponine (Adrienne Tang). We don't share the stage until the very last scene, so its important to bond on our own.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Same goes for my beautiful daughter, Cosette (Sarah Quinn). She'll be up here relaxing until after I'm dead.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Our brilliant musical director, Andrew Bryan! This man has the daunting task of keeping 109 voices and an orchestra of 14 musicians in the same place at the same time. (Bonus: Many of our musicians play for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic)
Victoria Huston-Elem
Our fearless leaders, director Michael Baron and choreographer Ashley Wells. All gussied up and ready to address the audience before the first downbeat.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Last-minute costume check! I don't leave the stage until my big hair/costume changes, so everything is underdressed.
Victoria Huston-Elem
One more stop before hitting the stage: picking up Courtney Strong's beautifully designed props. There's a stack of these letters backstage... each one handwritten.
Victoria Huston-Elem
View from a quick change! This is what I see as Christopher Sieker swiftly removes the top layer of Fantine dress.
Victoria Huston-Elem
I'm not in the Whore Couture long enough to take a picture during the show, but I'll put it back on just for you. (Note: photo includes the previously mentioned cut wig)
Victoria Huston-Elem
Before you know it, Fantine is dead - leaving behind her suffering child, and facing an hour and a half of time to kill.
Victoria Huston-Elem
First things first: haunt Marius for macking on my daughter. Not on my watch, buddy. (Sarah Quinn as Cosette, Russell McCook as Marius)
Victoria Huston-Elem
Once the Thenardiers start bargaining for young Cosette, it's dinner time. I can't eat a big meal before running around in a corset, so I usually pack something delicious for later.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Once the beggars are on the street, its social media time. My new favorite: Sensitive Enjolras.
Victoria Huston-Elem
My #DeadFantine dress is long-sleeved, white linen. To keep it from getting wrinkled and dirty, I hang out backstage in my cream slip. Serving JCPenny 1996 chic.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Speaking of modeling, here's Adrienne Tang giving supermodel angles for days.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Gino Chaviano prefers a more direct approach to having his picture taken.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Sometimes I'll wander through this room that looks like the set of "Saw VIII"
Victoria Huston-Elem
...to visit my ladies of the ensemble in their dressing room! Here's Maggie Spicer, Renée Lawrence, Jennifer Teel, Arden Walker, and Melissa Griffith in their Whore Couture.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Thinking about running a few copies. We can always use a spare.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Cosette's wedding dress lies in wait like an enormous, satin birthday cake.
Victoria Huston-Elem
#DeadFantine makes the rounds, visiting Thenardier (Tommy Cunningham) during one of his first act breaks.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Jennifer Teel attempting to match #DeadFantine's Dead Face.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Dead Face is very popular around here. Eponine (Adrienne Tang) and our Company Manager, Matthew Sipress, give it a try.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Not everyone is a fan of Dead Face. Isaiah Bailey is skeptical.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Time for a quick cool-down/Beyoncé moment. Travis James Burch adds a little vampire flair.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Here's our full cast singing "One Day More." Well, almost the full cast. Something's missing...
Victoria Huston-Elem
NOW we have the full cast singing "One Day More."
Victoria Huston-Elem
INTERMISSION! Here's a view of our backstage crossover. Ensemble members check their quick change setups for Act Two. The lists on the wall tell each actor what to wear and when.
Victoria Huston-Elem
At intermission, I stop by our choir corner to say hello. Over sixty voices sit onstage on varied levels of scaffolding without a break until now. They make our show magnificent.
Victoria Huston-Elem
The choir has to re-rack their folding chairs as soon as Act One ends to make room for set storage.
Victoria Huston-Elem
With a cast of 109, there's often a line for the bathroom. The choir is getting desperate.
Victoria Huston-Elem
The boys of the barricade are ready for Act Two.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Maggie Spicer draws attention to Eric McNaughton's lone star button detail.
Victoria Huston-Elem
#DeadFantine loves trying on people's hats. Javert need never know.
Victoria Huston-Elem
A sensible hooker hat.
Victoria Huston-Elem
In homage to the Fantines who came before me, a revolutionary bullet boy hat.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Bamatabois' top hat. Jerk.
Victoria Huston-Elem
#DeadFantine spending quality time with #DeadJavert.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Once the wedding music begins, its time to get ready for my final entrance. So long, #DeadFantine. See you tomorrow.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Opening night party at Bricktown Brewery! Jennifer Teel, Renée Lawrence, Maggie Spicer, Adrienne Tang and I strike a pose.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Say what you will about pin curls, they make for a beautiful party hairdo post-show.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Arden Walker looking gorgeous in sea-foam green.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Harrison Drake tolerates my playing with his sideburns.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Salt-and-pepper go well together! Smiling with the riffing genius, Isaiah Bailey.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Flash forward to Thursday, June 26th: a donut surprise from Taylor. Jelly for me!
Victoria Huston-Elem
Taylor makes sure Adrienne gets her favorite flavor.
Victoria Huston-Elem
The birthday surprises begin with a cherry pie milkshake from Perry Sook! I do love a southern gentleman. And pie. #FattyFantine
Victoria Huston-Elem
6:45pm - fight call. Before every show, we run through all the physically violent moments in our show to make sure we're safe. Here's Javert and Valjean's confrontation.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Harrison Drake straightens his collar to compliment his sideburns.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Closeup on wigs: Dallas Lish is in a few scenes in the ensemble before entering as Enjolras. Here's how he's disguised.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Julie Johnson (Madame Thenardier) begging to save her "baby's" life. Her baby is, in fact, a loaf of bread.
Victoria Huston-Elem
I asked Gavroche (Michael James) to give me his best "Gavroche Face." The boy is a born supermodel.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Where do broken wigs go? Can they find their way home?
Victoria Huston-Elem
Joking around with Cosette (Sarah Quinn). Check out her STUNNING costume, designed by Jeffrey Meek.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Javert (Danny Rothman) lets of a little steam, voodoo doll style.
Victoria Huston-Elem
#DeadFantine gets a new weave with the help of Eponine (Adrienne Tang).
Victoria Huston-Elem
Dirty robbers plotting in the hallway: Eric McNaughton, Mateja Govich, Vince Leseney and Chad Anderson.
Victoria Huston-Elem
#DeadFantine gets a taste of her own spooky medicine from Vince Leseney and Mateja Govich.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Dancing with Dr. Eric Friedman. Not only is he a wonderful singer/actor, he's also one of our nation's leading neurosurgeons.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Backstage during "One Day More," the classic, red flag is prepped and ready to fly.
Victoria Huston-Elem
A birthday intermission with Gavroche's Gang is a birthday intermission well-spent.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Choir member Ryan Tigner shows off his extra-special costume. Good thing he never faces upstage.
Victoria Huston-Elem
All day I received texts from friends across the country. This exchange was with Cortney Wolfson of Broadway's Kinky Boots.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Julie Johnson (Madame Thenardier) is looking glamorous in her costume by Jeffrey Meek.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Until she's joined by Sarah Quinn (Cosette). Now she's looking jealous. Honestly, I'm jealous too - look at that DRESS!
Victoria Huston-Elem
After the show, the cast was requested to come onstage for a "meeting." Little did I know this "meeting" would involve surprise pie from Pie Junkie!
Victoria Huston-Elem
Director Michael Baron demonstrates portion sizes.
Victoria Huston-Elem
Our wonderful Production Stage Manager, Jeffrey Scott Cochran, managed to keep it a secret from me.
Victoria Huston-Elem
The surprise birthday song in action.
Victoria Huston-Elem
I am so happy to be part of such a generous, thoughtful company. Only a few chances left to catch us on the barricade - hope to see you there!
Victoria Huston-Elem
*
Chuck Wagner (Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast) previously portrayed Javert in the Broadway production of Les Miz and now steps into the role of Valjean for the Lyric Theatre production that also features Danny Rothman (Ragtime) as Javert and Huston-Elem (The Addams Family) as Fantine.
Michael Baron directs the production that runs through June 28 at the Civic Center. The production features a chorus of over 60 voices. Ashley Wells choreographs with music direction by Andrew Bryan. The cast also includes Julie Johnson and Tommy Cunningham as the scheming innkeepers, the Thenardiers, respectively, with Vince Leseney, Dallas Lish, Russell McCook, Eric McNaughton, Sarah Quinn, Adrienne Tang, Michael James, Hallie Hunt, Chad Anderson, Isaiah Bailey, Elin Bhaird, Travis James Burch, Gino Chaviano, Kai Daly, Harrison Drake, Alex Enterline, Eric Friedman, Mateja Govich, Melissa Griffith, Mandy Jiran, Renee Lawrence, Storm Lineberger, Dalycia J. Phipps, Perry Sook, Maggie Spicer, Jennifer Teel, Addie Wagner, Arden Walker, Jace Appling, Harper S. Brady, Max Brown, Ethan James Carr, Campbell Walker Fields, Jackson Gifford, Mason Imboden, Trey Johnson, Jacob Marino and George Schroeder.
Les Misérables has set design by Michael Raiford, costume design by Jeffrey Meek, sound design by Toby Algya, lighting design by Helena Kuukka, prop design by Courtney Strong and hair design by Cindy Ludwig.
Les Miserables has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, book by Alain Boublil and Schönberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
Purchase tickets by visiting Lyric’s box office at 1727 NW 16th Street, calling (405) 524-9312 or visiting LyricTheatreOKC.com.
