Playmakers Theater of Covington is closing out its 2007-08 season with a simply spectacular production of the ever popular musical drama “Les Miserables,” which opened recently.

Performed as an operetta, it is based on the 1862 novel “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo. Set in the 19th century in France, it tells the story of people whose lives become entwined as they struggle to free the oppressed lower classes of France during the French Revolution.

The cast of characters assembled for this production by directors Lynn and Randy Perkins is comprised entirely of brilliant and talented area students. What is extraordinary about this is the singing prowess of these young people which goes well beyond a musical presentation. That’s a good thing, because almost 100 percent of the “dialogue” is sung which makes this play more of an operetta than a standard musical. Because of the demands on the actors’ singing capabilities, Lynn and Randy have divided them into the “Red Cast” and the “Black Cast” which will alternate performances. This review is of the “Red Cast.”

The cast includes a paroled convict named Jean Valjean who conceals his identity and becomes the mayor of his town. He is played superbly by Chis Abide, who, with his rich baritone voice, is a commanding presence on stage. He sings the show’s most beautiful number, “Bring Him Home.” Matching this performance is Stephen Dale who gives just the right menacing touch to his evil character Inspector Javert, who unswervingly pursues Valjean across France for 10 years. Dale, with his bass baritone singing, is perfectly convincing as the stubborn, no nonsense official.

Jenny Bravo evokes just the right sympathy for her character Fantine, a single mother, forced to become a prostitute to support her daughter, Cosette. Bravo is at her best singing the poignant “I Dream a Dream.” After Fantine dies, Cosette is adopted by Valjean.

The little Cosette is played by Mary Claire Hessemer. The adult Cosette, beautifully portrayed by Megan Bickman, falls in love with Marius, an idealistic student played by Adam Vanek, and they are eventually married.

They are charming as young lovers, and Vanek is particularly effective as he mourns the death of his young friends killed by the government army as he sings “Empty Chairs at the Table.” The star crossed character of Eponine is impressively played by Laura Ballard. She is a rabid student revolutionary who is in love with Marius.

In the second act, the stage is turned into a barricade as the students try to fend off the government army. Graham Griener is strongly believable as the leader of the student brigade, particularly as he leads the assemble in the rousing “Do You Hear the People Sing?” Amid all this chaos there is need for comedy relief, which is provided by the energetic duo Weston Twardowski and Ashley Osbourn, the evil, villainous innkeepers. They are showstoppers as they prance and sing their way through the hilarious “Master of the House.”

Space restrictions do not allow adequately describing the talents of all the 30 plus actors and the back stage workers. But also included in the “Red Cast” are Hunter Christopher, Charles Early, Gia Erichson, Aaron Falkenstein, James Hamman, Reid Butler, Michael Harrison, Mary Claire Hessemer, Jamie Lombardion, Jonathan Pittman, Michael Rees, Max Sanders Rigaud, Oliver Sibley, and Cade Varnado who play poor people, factory workers, prostitutes, beggers, children, students all appearing in a finely tuned chorus which ends the show with the stirring climatic ginale that brought the opening night audience to its feet.

Music direction is by Kenya Lawrence Jackson and Shawn Patterson. The magnificent set includes the massive barricade, uncanny scene changes, a fog machine and a pyrotechnic display. Throw in the beautifully designed period costumes and you will see why “Les Miserables” is one of the most popular and most produced musical dramas of all time. And you’ll get an appreciation of the exceptionally talented young people who are in this area.

It is also coincidental that the show overlapped Bastille Day, a French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, and marked the beginning of the French Revolution that overthrew the cruel monarchy of King Louis the XVI.

Other performance of the “Red Cast” are at 8 p.m. July 25; matinee at 2 p.m. July 27. Performances of the “Black” Cast” are at 8 p.m. July 24 and 26.

For information and ticket reservations, call the Playmakers box office at 893-1671.