Encore’s Les Misérables Field Trip: An Unforgettable Experience
Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to take a field trip to Salt Lake City to see the Broadway touring production of Les Misérables at the Eccles Theater. It was a truly unforgettable experience for our cast, their families, and members of our Encore Performing Arts community.
We were honored to have our board chair, Bryan Watabe and his wife, join us for the performance, as well as Corbin Allred and his family. Corbin, who plays Scrooge in our annual production of A Christmas Carol, was excited to be part of this special event with our cast and families.
Many of our participants made the 4.5-hour drive from St. George to Salt Lake City the day of the performance and returned home that same night, braving snowy roads to experience this world-class production. Others took the opportunity to turn it into a short getaway, spending extra time with their families before joining us at the theater. Despite the challenging weather, we are grateful that everyone arrived safely and made it home without incident.
The performance itself was breathtaking. The cast’s vocal talent, emotional depth, and stage presence left us in awe, while the stunning production design, lighting effects, and live orchestra created an immersive and powerful storytelling experience. Watching our cast members witness the same story they are preparing to bring to life was incredibly moving. Many tears were shed as the weight and beauty of Les Misérables sank in, deepening our connection to this timeless story.
One of our cast parents, Melanie Nelson, shared her thoughts on the experience:
“Thank you Encore PA for the opportunity to see Les Misérables Broadway touring cast! It was amazing for my girls to be able to see the professional actors portray the parts they will play in a few short weeks in Encore’s production of Les Misérables. They were blown away by the superb vocal talent, brilliant lighting design, live music, remarkable sets, and creative costumes. They will remember this day forever, and I will remember the pure joy on their faces as they watched this extraordinary show.”
As we now look ahead to Encore’s own production of Les Misérables, running May 1–6, this experience has left our cast inspired and motivated. Seeing the show performed at such a high level has given them a deeper understanding of their characters, the power of storytelling, and the impact this musical has on audiences. We cannot wait to bring our version of Les Misérables to the stage and share it with our community.
Thank you to everyone who made this field trip possible, and to all who joined us for this unforgettable experience. This trip was more than just a chance to see a show—it was a moment of learning, growth, and inspiration that will stay with our cast for years to come.
