Chatter with Les Miz and St. Albert's Got Talent winners

Les Misérables

Broadway Across Canada brings back Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boubilil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables.

Set against the backdrop of Victor Hugo’s 19^th century France, it follows Jean Valjean, a peasant and his quest for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving child.

It is an enthralling story of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, redemption, and an incredible testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Les Miz runs at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from July 3 to 8.

Tickets are $30 to $186 plus service charges. Visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Salute to the winners

St. Albert’s Got Talent competition for the Lifestyle Expo attracted more than 300 entries of soloists, duets, bands, dance groups, piano and ukulele players.

But the 2018 High School Division winner was Paul Kane student Taylor Hambly, 17, who sang Always Come Back, a song she wrote for her grandfather.

“Her performance was strong and she had really good energy. Combine that with writing her own song and connecting with the audience really helped,” said event organizer Martha Livingstone.

Hacerator, a five-piece hard rock band from Paul Kane, followed a close second.

“They were very aggressive rock and they all performed very well.”

In the Junior High Division, Matthew Baba, a Grade 8 student at Sir George Simpson, captured the audience singing All I Want while playing his ukulele.

“It was a very sincere performance. His voice cut through the ukulele. He really connected and had a broad appeal.”

Summer Fraleigh, 14, a student at Victoria School of Performing Arts, came in second singing Every Time We Say Goodbye.

“Jazz is not easy to sing especially in junior high. She sounded very mature for her age.”

Competitions always produce surprises and this year the Elementary School Division first place dance duet of Isabella Petrukovich and Amber Edwards created an upset.

“This was a big shock because they didn’t qualify originally, but they made it through on a wild card. They practised so hard, it’s what I’d call a success story.”

Mackie Suitor, from Ronald Harvey, came in second singing Ruth B’s Lost Boy.