Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, who are both known for helping to bring the novel “Les Misérables” to life on stage as a musical, will be coming to UVa as artists in residence February 22-24.
Their visit to the University is made possible by the Arts Endowment, which was founded in 2014. The endowment allows for investment in programs that help to enhance the University and student experience. Boublil and Schönberg visited UVa in the fall of 2014 and will be answering questions from interested students about careers in musical theatre and more during this year’s visit.
“Claude-Michel Schönberg has said more than once that he and Alain Boublil come to the University of Virginia primarily in order to interact with students,” said Marva Barnett, a professor emeritus who formerly taught in UVA’s Departments of Drama and French and who invited them for this residency.
Because of this passion to help students, the department is trying to organize class visits from Boublil and Schönberg to as many relevant courses as possible.
On February 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, Schönberg and Boublil will talk alongside Ms. Barnett. Their discussion will cover their careers, musical theater today and their current and future projects, and this event is open to the public.
The evening will also feature the University Singers led by director Michael Slon and guest artists who will be performing several of Boublil’s and Schönberg’s songs from “Les Misérables” and “Miss Saigon.”
“Workshopping is a typical part of artistic residencies, where successful artists share their expertise and experience with student artists, whether they be musicians, actors, directors, composers, graphic artists, photographers—the list of artistic ventures is a long one,” said Barnett.
There will also be a screening of “Les Misérables” in the Newcomb Theatre on February 26th at 7 p.m. in honor of the show’s 25th anniversary.
Those interested in seeing these artists are able to receive free tickets through the UVa Arts Box Office, but these is a limit of two tickers per patron.
Because the show is in high demand and space is limited, it is recommended to reserve tickets as soon as possible. If there are any tickets that have not yet been claimed, they will be released shortly before each performance.
