Two Ayer Youth Share Key Role in Les Misérables Production

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Chris Govang will be performing as Gavroche in Les Mis on November 8, 10, 16, 21 and 23.

It’s not often that a young actor can say he’s been cast in a major role in a major musical. It happens even less when two young men from the same town can share that claim. But Parker Fisher and Chris Govang, both from Ayer and students in Shirley and Pepperell, are sharing the single boy’s role of Gavroche in Les Misérables. The Concord Players will be presenting this production November 8, 9, 10 (matinee), 15, 16, 17 (matinee), 21, 22 and 23, 2013.

Chris Govang

Chris Govang began performing at age four as a duckling in HONK!, and continued the next year as a flying monkey in The Wiz. Previously with the Concord Players, he was ‘voice of the boy’ in To Kill a Mockingbird (2009) and ‘Kurt Von Trapp’ in The Sound of Music (2013). He played the ‘Cheshire Cat’ in Alice in Wonderland at Stratton Players (Fitchburg), ‘Chip’ in Ayer-Shirley Youth Drama (ASYD)'s Beauty & the Beast, ‘Narrator’ in A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, and a featured player in ASYD's Godspell. With Concord Youth Theatre, Chris portrayed ‘Frank, Jr.’ in Merrily We Roll Along with the Young Adult Company, the title role in the Mainstage Company’s Pinocchio, as well as many roles in Junior Company, workshop and summer productions.

Chris loves to sing and has studied tap and ballet at L'Ecole de Ballet in Littleton since he was 7 years old. He also dabbles in piano and has begun studying flute at school.

“This is such a great opportunity,” said Govang. “Roles like these for kids don’t come along very often, so we’re so lucky.” He continued, “Parker and I have been friends since we did Pinocchio together at CYT, so I was psyched to hear that WE got the role and could share it!”

Parker Fisher

Parker Fisher will be portraying Gavroche on November 9, 15, 17 and 22.

Parker Fisher scored this iconic role in only his first year of organized theater. Previously, Parker appeared this past winter as ‘Fox’ in Concord Youth Theatre (CYT)’s production of Pinocchio and immediately followed as ‘The Little Boy’ in their spring production of The Velveteen Rabbit. This summer he performed as ‘Dogberry’ in a musical version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with React Theater, and most recently as ‘Wat Crabstaff’ in Summer Fenn’s musical, Robin Hood. This production will be Parker’s debut with The Concord Players. Aside from theater, he loves reading, soccer, hockey and spending time with his family and friends.

“I’m immensely grateful to Artistic Director Lisa Evans at CYT for believing in me and giving me my first opportunity in Pinocchio, as well as to Rene Pfister (music director) for his encouragement and ceaseless enthusiasm,” said Fisher. “My experience with that show started a whole new path for me as an actor, a path that I really enjoy. It brings new challenges with every show, and makes me feel great about myself and what I’m doing.”

Les Mis

In Hugo’s enthralling tale, after spending 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, Jean Valjean starts life anew, initiating both a lifelong struggle for redemption and a relentless pursuit by Police Inspector Javert. Against the backdrop of revolutionary 19th-Century France, Valjean learns about hope, compassion, love and finally, redemption. Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is now the longest running musical in the world. It is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Les Misérables contains adult themes and is not appropriate for young audiences.

Parker Fisher will be portraying Gavroche on November 9, 15, 17 and 22, while Chris Govang will be performing the role on November 8, 10, 16, 21 and 23. Tickets for the shows are available by calling (978) 369-2990, or online at www.concordplayers.org.