‘Les Miserables” is the first production of the summer season at Plays-in-the-Park. The musical, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, premiered in 1980 in Paris. The story, set in early 19th-century France, follows former convict Jean Valjean as he restarts his life despite the pursuit by Inspector Javert. Performances begin at 8:30 p.m. through Saturday, July 6, at Roosevelt Park in Edison. Admission is $7.
The cast includes 36 actors from New Jersey and New York. Steven Leshchanka, a graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Class of 1999, is an ensemble member.
“The show is a real ensemble piece and is pretty intense,” says Leshchanka, who gets to sit on the barricade as well as meet his demise in the battle scene. He has three costumes and some really quick changes — including wigs. “Velcro is my friend,” he says. Not his first time at PIP, he was in the cast of “Seussical” about five years ago.
A field technician with Bde Computer Services in Clifton, Leshchanka was practically raised in the theater by his mother, Tina Lee, who has been active in community theater for many years. Now living in Somerset, Lee is a bookkeeper for the Franklin Township Sewage Association. His father, George Leshchanka, lives in Edison and is an underwriter for the Hartford Insurance Company.
He played the role of Cousin Kevin in Mystic Vision Players’ production of “Tommy” in 2012. Leshchanka performs the role of Ham as a featured vocalist in GB Production’s of “Children of Eden” in Old Bridge opening Thursday, August 8. “I am still single and looking,” he says.
His twin sister, Melissa Leshchanka, is a preschool teacher for Princeton Meadow Preschool and Childtime in Hillsborough and teaches at Playhouse 22’s acting academy. Also active in community theater, she played the role of Emily Webb, the main character in “Our Town,” at Somerset Valley Players a year ago. (The News, June 8, 2012), She is currently choreographing a show for SVP. She married Joseph John Pinto III, a manager at Houlihan’s, earlier this year.
Their younger brother, Matthew, who graduated from Kean University, studies mixed martial arts, performs in community theater, and works for Famous Dave’s and FedEx.
Bring your own chair (less than 40 inches tall), insect repellent, a blanket, and a flashlight. Bring your own picnic or purchase food from the snack bar. If it rains your ticket stub is valid for exchange for a year.
An audio description performance will be Friday, June 28; an open captioned performance is Monday, July 1; and a performance with sign language interpretation is Wednesday, July 3.
Les Miserables, Plays-in-the-Park, Capestro Theater, Roosevelt Park, Route 1 South, Edison. Musical. Bring a chair. $7. Donations of canned and packaged goods accepted for Middlesex County’s food pantry. Through Saturday, July 6 except there are no shows on Sunday, June 30, or Thursday, July 4. 732-548-2884. www.playsinthepark.com.
