‘Les Miserables’ director deep dives into the iconic musical

‘Les Miserables’ is returning to the City of Brotherly Love later this month, and the iconic musical has a local creative as its Resident Director.

Brendan Stackhouse has been with this touring production for about six months and is excited to bring it back to his hometown. To chat more about what audiences can expect from the production, Stackhouse sat down to delve into the music, the sets and the meaning behind ‘Les Mis.’

How did you get started in theater?

I grew up in Bucks County, but I was born in the Northeast, so a lot of my family is there still. In Bucks, I went to school in the arts school district where the music and theater programs there are really, really amazing. I got involved in the shows in school and I came from a family that was really supportive of all of these endeavors.

My grandparents on my dad’s side kind of introduced me to all of those old musicals and I fell in love with them through that. I [also] worked outside of school a little bit at the Bucks County Playhouse, and then I started my own little theater company at the local libraries in Bucks County and that took off. I have been directing and choreographing ever since for the past 18 years now.

Are you excited to bring this show back to your hometown?

It’s really kind of surreal. I remember seeing ‘Les Mis’ when I was nine at the Forest Theater when the tour was in town. It was one of the first shows I ever saw, my mom and grandma brought me to it and it’s insane to me… It hasn’t really quite hit yet that I’m coming back to the Academy where I’ve seen so many shows growing up and I’ll be on stage there. It’s wild, and I’m really excited. I have a lot of family and friends coming.

For fans who have seen the show in the past, what would you say this specific production is going to bring for them?

I think anytime you see it—and I have had people getting to go around the country so far, there are people that are there for their second, third, fourth, 10th time every time they’re there—I think the story is just so universal. Because of the revolutionary aspect of it and the sort of young people organizing aspect of it and this timeless love story, all of these sort of simple human universal things get people to come back over and over and over again.

Obviously, the score is gorgeous and people come back for the music. But I also think there’s a subconscious element where people really love to connect what’s happening in the play to what’s happening in the world right now.

For new fans of the show, how would you describe it?

It’s so epic that it’s hard to dilute down. I would say it’s just a story about redemption and love. At the core of it, it’s that quote that we end the show with: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” That’s what the essence of our show is, it’s deeply moving.

My little brother has never seen it. He is actually coming to one of the shows, so he’s one of those people. It’s just a simple epic love story and a redemption story. That’s why you should come.

What are some moments from this production you’re excited for audiences to experience?

I love ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ that especially in the charged couple months that we’re in right now. That piece is incredible. When I talk about immediacy, that’s a piece that is super immediate.

I have seen the show in a couple incarnations: I saw it on Broadway, I saw that tour that I spoke about back in 2000, but I don’t think there’s a better sung production of Les Mis than the production that we have right now. It’s a cast of the best singers in this country that we have been lucky enough to get together.

The set also plays a big role in the show. What would you tell people to expect in that regard?

The environment work that is done on our set is incredible. It’s automated, and there are some technical things that I don’t want to give too much away, but [it’s] really cool towards the end of the second act.

Our designers have done a great job of placing the audience in the middle of that world. Everything is distressed and very detailed, our lighting design is wonderful and sets the perfect mood for the evening. So, in addition to being a feast for the ears, it’s quite a feast for the eyes too.

Overall, what do you hope people take away from getting to see ‘Les Miserables’ at the Academy of Music?

I think we live in a time in the world where compassion and kindness and how we interact and speak with each other has moved to the periphery in a way that’s sort of dangerous and divisive. There are a million reasons left, right, and center why that is. But I think if you walk away with one thing, it’s a commitment to be compassionate and kind towards each other.

I think that’s at the core of what this is about. The conflict in our show exists from a lack of understanding, a fundamental understanding between our two great characters. That gets us to think about how we interact with people in our own lives and how we can be kinder and support our world. I think that is a huge takeaway.

‘Les Miserables will be at the Academy of Music (240 S Broad St.) from Aug. 27 to Sept. 8. For tickets and more information, visit ensembleartsphilly.org