Throughout more than a quarter-century of directing theatre, musicals and operas, Ann Hodges has worked with countless actors and actresses.
Still, the woman presiding over the Flin Flon Community Choir’s next blockbuster production can’t help but praise her roster of local performers.
“There is a lot of talent here and they’re very committed,” said Hodges, who will direct the choir’s version of Les Misérables this spring. “And they have done a lot of big, big musicals already.”
Hodges, a Winnipegger, is the first professional director brought in to helm a Flin Flon Community Choir musical.
A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, her many credits include Prairie Theatre Exchange, Manitoba Theatre Centre and Vancouver Opera.
At the RH Channing Auditorium, Hodges led the Les Misérables cast in rehearsals for the first time on Monday. Her contagious enthusiasm and eye for detail warmed her to the performers and behind-the-scenes personnel.
“She is obviously the real deal and we’re so fortunate to have her,” said Crystal Kolt, director of the choir and past director of its musicals. “She can delve into the nuances of this medium like we haven’t been able to have before, and she not only has the knowledge to share, but she also has this clear vision and this really concise way of expressing what she wants.”
Though some of her past audiences have been 2,000-plus strong, Hodges is no stranger to somewhat smaller productions.
She was thrilled to fit Les Misérables into her busy schedule, particularly given Flin Flon’s well-earned reputation as an arts hub.
“It feels like it’s in the DNA of the town, an appreciation for the arts,” said Hodges, who is working with the cast in three stints – a week this month, a week next month and three and a half weeks in April – leading up to the curtain rise.
Hodges’ hiring is the latest of many coups for the choir, for whom the motto “go big or go home” aptly applies.
Though the choir has not secured grant money to cover her wage as hoped, a fundraising drive is proving adequate to cover the cost.
Kolt herself was prepared to direct if necessary, but when it became apparent that landing Hodges was feasible, there were no second thoughts about bringing her on board.
“We’re going in with our eyes wide open, so we feel like we’re ready for it,” said Kolt, noting that the choir has worked with professionals from different disciplines in the past.
Major casting for Les Misérables was completed last fall. Lead roles went to John Bettger, Kevin Imrie, Katrina Windjack, Colette McKeen, Nicole Beaulieu, Halle Moore, Kari Rutherford, CC Trubiak, Andrew Taylor, Thomas Heine, Samantha Moore and, from The Pas, Griffin Wadelius, 10.
Les Misérables is the world’s longest-running musical, and arguably its most dynamic. A tale of romance, revolution and redemption, it’s a production most directors can only dream of leading.
Set in 19th-century France, “Les Miz,” as it is affectionately known, revolves around Jean Valjean, a peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving niece.
After evading parole, Valjean finds riches in a new life even as a police inspector doggedly attempts to track him down.
“I do like doing big shows, and this is one of the biggest,” said Hodges. “It’s lots and lots of people on stage, and many different locations and huge orchestration and everything. So that’s one thing about it, it’s just the size and sort of the epic scale of the story. I also like what it’s saying. It’s a play about a society becoming more tolerant and compassionate towards those who are less fortunate, so I like that message.”
In addition to Hodges, a professional fight choreographer is being hired to bring safety and authenticity to the violent scenes. A professional sound and light crew and professional musicians will also be hired.
All told, the show will see about 120 people working together on stage and off.
Scoring Les Misérables was a triumph for Kolt, who had spent 14 years seeking the rights to the groundbreaking show before finally succeeding last year.
At nearly US$6,000, the rights didn’t come cheap, and the show itself is certain to run in the tens of thousands of dollars.
But it promises to be the latest in a long line of memorable musicals courtesy of the choir, whose past hits include Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, Evita and Beauty and the Beast.
As much as theatregoers are counting down the days to show time, arguably no one is more excited than Hodges.
“I think there’s something really incredible that live theatre offers that other art forms don’t offer,” she said.
Three performances of Les Misérables are scheduled for the RH Channing Auditorium on May 1, 2 and 3. Tickets are now on sale.
