Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen delivered the following member’s statement in the legislature on Wednesday, May 6:
This past weekend, a world-class production made its debut in Flin Flon.
In fact, the Flin Flon Community Choir’s excellent performance of Les Misérables made headlines both in Flin Flon and here in Winnipeg.
They were even congratulated by the New York City Broadway cast of the same musical.
Putting on a production as prestigious as Les Mis is no small feat; this was a massive community effort.
First of all, securing the rights to the musical was a daunting task. Crystal Kolt, the artistic director of the Flin Flon Community Choir, has applied for the rights to Les Misérables for the past 15 years. Her determination finally paid off this year.
But that was only the first hurdle the choir had to get over. Next came paying for the rights.
Since the last June, the Flin Flon Arts Council has been busy raising the necessary funds.
They dreamed a dream and then they made it a reality. The 80-person choir performed in front of three sold-out performances at the RH Channing Auditorium.
From Javert and Jean Valjean to the revolutionaries and the National Guard, all the characters played their parts exceptionally. We certainly did hear the people sing this weekend.
While there were some impressive productions put on by the Flin Flon Community Choir in the past, nothing could possibly knock the lights out like this show did.
Congratulations to all the volunteers, organizers and singers for putting on such a wonderful production.
Thank you to Crystal and Mark Kolt for your indelible resolve, and thank you to the people of Flin Flon for being so supportive of the arts in our community.
