When the cast list for “Les Misérables” was finally posted after weeks of auditions, Grayson Jandora ’29 wasn’t staring at the screen alone. His mom, who calls the show her favorite of all time, stood by his side as he scanned the names. He expected to be part of the ensemble, maybe an understudy if he was lucky. But there it was next to his name: Jean Valjean. The lead. The ex-convict-turned-mayor-turned-father figure. A demanding role, to say the least, in one of the most famous musicals of all time.
In Staples Players’ production of “Les Misérables,” which played to sold-out crowds from Nov. 13 to 23 and drew rave reviews, Jandora tackled one of the most iconic roles in musical theater. In doing so, he joined a small group of Players who were chosen to play leading roles as freshmen, and maybe the first, according to Director David Roth, to play the lead in their very first Staples production.
While most first years were still trying to figure out the complicated Staples hallways, Jandora was balancing his courseload with the demanding rehearsal schedule.
“I think one of the most challenging things about casting a freshman in a role this size is that they do not have the extensive acting training that the upperclassmen have,” Roth said.
Playing the complex and emotionally-heavy character of Valjean only made it more challenging.
“Valjean’s character arc is so wide throughout the entire show because he starts the show as a prisoner and then he becomes the mayor later on,” Jandora ’29 said. “It’s interesting to explore the character arc from becoming the villain of the story to then the protagonist and the hero.”
Roth, who chose Les Misérables hoping for a “watershed show” that would excite the entire Westport community, said Janodra earned the role through his immense preparation, determination and talent.
“We called him back for probably eight roles with many, many songs to learn,” Roth said. “Not only did he sound fantastic and act with poise and understanding, but he completely memorized every single role that he was called back for. That level of dedication, determination, talent and intelligence is what made us think that he could handle a role as demanding as Valjean.”
Part of what made the massive production possible was the double-cast system, pairing a freshman like Jandora with an upper-class veteran like Griffin Delmhorst ’26, who shared the role of Valjean.
“As a freshman, such a role is very difficult to handle, but he has persevered through every challenge thrown his way and put on a spectacular performance,” Delmhorst said. “His work is truly incredible and I am in awe every time I watch him.”
Delmhorst said there was one moment when he knew Jandora was more than capable of playing the role.
“During our callback process, we are all in the room together when auditioning for the same role,” Delmhorst said. “Grayson and I were both called back for Valjean among others, so I got to watch him sing Valjean’s ballad, ‘Bring Him Home.’ I knew after watching his performance that he would be perfect for this role, and it almost seemed effortless the way that he was able to convey such complex emotion and nuance.”
By opening night, the freshman who once expected a role in the ensemble had taken on one of theater’s most demanding roles. Whether or not he pursues acting long-term, Jandora says the experience has already reshaped his confidence onstage.
“I feel like I can conquer anything now,” Jandora said.
