This summer, I had the chance to fight on the barricades of the June Rebellion - Paris, 1832.
Howard County Summer Theatre put on an incredible production of Les Miserables in the beginning of July. I am honored to have been a part of such an incredible cast of characters, with such amazing talent.
I had the chance to take portraits for the principal cast and even set up a small studio backstage for other folks to get their portraits in their costumes. Check out some images on my Flickr page!
The story of Les Miserables is deep and powerful. While preparing for the show, I read bits and pieces of the book, dealing mostly with the students that Marius spends time with. What amazing descriptions Victor Hugo gives, truly bringing his characters to life! I hope soon to begin to read the whole thing through.
From the introduction to the book:
"So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation which, in the midst of civilization, artificially creates a hell on earth, and complicates with human fatality a destiny that is divine; so long as the three problems of the century - the degradation of man by the exploitation of his labor, the ruin of woman by starvation, and the atrophy of childhood by physical and spiritual night - are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a still broader point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, there should be a need for books such as this."
Read this book, watch this movie, be overwhelmed by a story of grace and love and light triumphing in the midst of judgment, hate, and darkness.