May 23, 2014
It’s a (small) Les Mis Toronto reunion at Mark Uhre’s art exhibit! (x)
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It’s a (small) Les Mis Toronto reunion at Mark Uhre’s art exhibit! (x)
11-Year-Old Shines on Les Mis Stage
A Paris 'tween is positively “enchanté” about being cast in Toronto's latest rendition of Les Misérables.
Petite MADISON OLDROYD, a newly minted 11-year-old, had no aspirations about the theatre — but she could sing.
Two years ago, after voice lessons in Woodstock, Madison took first place in her category at the Rotary Festival of Music with a well-rehearsed version of Castle on a Cloud from Les Mis.
When her mom, KAREN OLDROYD, heard about an open casting call for the role of Cosette and young Éponine in the re-mounted show, she pitched the idea of trying out to her youngest daughter.
“I said 'Let's go and experience it! You already know the song. It will be fun!' and then she kept getting called back and got the part!”
The Toronto production – hailed by critics as “superbly revised” -- opened at the end of September at the Princess of Wales Theatre and looks set to continue through the new year.
“At first I got butterflies,” says Madison, “but as soon as I stepped on the stage I got more confidence about what I was doing.”
The demanding role has thrown the Oldroyd family into the proverbial tizzy but it's been an amazing ride, says Karen.
“There are three little girls in the show and two of them are on stage at the same time. The third is released once the others start but Madison is playing four of the eight weekly shows,” Karen says.
It means there's no way to keep Madison in school during the production.
She goes to school Monday and Tuesday and then it's off to Toronto for Tuesday night through Sunday matinee, borrowing living space from a friend with a guest suite in the city.
“I have a job and I still have to do my job but between myself and my husband and family — we all take turns — and her teacher has been wonderful, sending home work.”
A chaperon at the theatre ensures homework is done and a Grade 6 friend at Sacred Heart in Paris keeps Madison updated about what she's missing.
At home, dad AL OLDROYD and sisters MEAGAN, 14, and ABBY, 12, all have to pitch in to help keep things running too.
“She doesn't come out of the stage door until 10:45 p.m. and boy, is she pumped! She's filled with energy and will talk non-stop for half an hour before starting to wind down.”
Madison loves working with the entire cast but has especially taken to stars RAMIN KARIMLOO as Valjean and EARL CARPENTER, who plays Javert.
“For my birthday they had a big party and the whole cast signed my card.”
For Karen, the beginning of this amazing process was filled with guilt as she had to leave her “baby” in Toronto and cry her way home.
“But within a week, she was loving it so much and we found they were so good to her, it was just amazing.
“Some days we say, 'I just have to get through this day balancing work, school and two other girls at home,' but we know the process is going fast and we need to slow down and embrace it.”
And Madison?
She's just living for the next show's finale when she joins the cast for bows and sees the standing ovations.
Ella Ballentine: Yesterday #LesMisTO took a special bus to the theatre.The serious cast with the three Little Cosettes @Mirvish