Fort Washington actor steps up to his dream in ‘Les Miz’

By Rita Charleston

Correspondent

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, “Les Miserables” is an epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19^th-century French history. The show is also the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean, who is pitted against the self-righteous Inspector Javert, in a lifelong struggle to evade capture.

Adapted from the French, “Les Miserables” had its American premiere in Washington at the Kennedy Center in 1986, and opened on Broadway in 1987, where it played more than 16 years, ending in 2003, and is currently the third-longest-running show in Broadway history.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has announced that the National Tour will return to Philadelphia for its eighth and final visit March 1 through March 19 at the Forrest Theatre.

Appearing in the ensemble as Joly and understudying a role as well is local actor Charles Hagerty. Born in Fort Washington, where his family still lives today, Hagerty is a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote.

When he was a preteen, he discovered that Mt. St. Joseph’s Catholic Girls’ School was doing “Peter Pan” and needed small boys for roles in the play. “I had been singing before that in my school’s choir and so I decided it would be a fun thing to do,” Hagerty recalls, “especially when a nun told my parents that I could really sing.”

From there, Hagerty did shows at his high school, and it was the music director there who ultimately had a hand in directing his career. “The music director also thought I had a good voice, so when my father asked him if he thought I could make a living with my voice, he said yes. But I don’t think even then my parents were convinced I could do that. I think they’re probably still not convinced!”

However, Hagerty decided to pursue that career, majoring in musical theater at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He then went on to do several summer stock shows, and says the first show he did that anyone would have heard of was “The Fantasticks.” He also did a European tour with “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and regionally with a production of “Hair,” among others.

Today, appearing in “Les Miserables” is a stunning experience and takes him back to his childhood. He says, “When I first began touring with the show just over two years ago, the show was already running, so when you come in you have a very short rehearsal period. You’re replacing somebody else so you have a very brief time to learn your role. During the whole first month my brain felt crammed, sort of like taking the SAT exams. But, to be honest, once you get going it’s not very hard and actually a lot of fun to do.”

One of the most difficult parts to master was learning to get on and off a turntable that is in the show. “A number of us were put in at the same time and all of us had to learn that skill. I remember getting back to my room that first night and felt like the room was continuing to spin.”

No big deal, Hagerty adds. “It’s such a treat to be able to do something that’s become a part of history. Very few people get a chance to do something like that. I remember seeing the show when I was young and it’s one that everyone wanted to be in, the one everybody had posters of in their room. It’s so epic and so grand. It’s life-changing. I know it changed my life. I remember the first time I saw it was at the Forrest Theater, which is amazing since this time around I’m in the show also at the Forrest. I was about 14 years old and I don’t think I had ever been in the theater before then.

“Seeing it,” Hagerty concludes, “blew me away. It was the size of it. It was the visual of it. And now, no matter how old you are, you’ll be affected by it in some way too.”

He’s booked to stay with the show for another six months. And then?

“ Well, I’m looking around, but If you have any suggestions, I’m open to them!”

“Les Miserables”

comes to the

Forrest Theatre,

11^th & Walnut Streets,

Philadelphia,

March 1 – 19 for its final

Philadelphia engagement.

Info: 1-800-447-7400 or

www.telecharge.com.