It is only fitting that Les Misérables, one of the biggest Broadway hits, is now being performed in the biggest community theater in the nation.

The Omaha Community Playhouse has spent the past few months in preparation for putting on such a large musical and, to do so, everyone involved is dedicating a lot of time and effort to make it great.

Playhouse actors are known for having various careers for many of them, acting is not their main job. They come from all over the Omaha area and some from even farther. Julie Enersen, an actress in the ensemble, commutes all the way from Lincoln each night in order to be a part of the show.

“I wear a big T-shirt as a “bib” and use a large spoon for ease in eating [in the car],” Enersen said. “I pretty much feel like a toddler driving down the road!”

Other actors that balance performing with other commitments include Jimmy Friedlander (Courfeyrac), a physician at Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Megan McGuire (Mme. Thenardier), a technical training manager; Peter Barrett (Claquesous), a captain in the United States Air Force; Abigael Stewart (Eponine); a full-time student at UNO; and Daniel Denenberg (Urchin), a 5th grader. Those are just a handful of the volunteers who strike a balance between love of the theatre and work, school, friends and family.

Timothy Shew, playing Jean Valjean, is whole other story. An actor appearing courtesy of the Actors Equity Association, Shew is very much a full-time actor. He appeared, most recently, in Broadway’s “Evita” starring Ricky Martin and a mini-tour of “The Little Mermaid.” Shew has portrayed Valjean on Broadway and has performed that role for more than 1,600 performances for more than four years in six other productions.

The “Les Misérables” orchestra has been preparing as well. A two-and-a-half hour long show, the orchestra only breaks once: during intermission. The group of 12 instrumentalists is larger than what usually accompanies the show. One main difference for “Les Mis” is that Jim Boggess, the music director, will conduct the orchestra with a baton and not behind the piano like usual.

Another prominent group, the cast, is also quite large in size. With 33 actors and even more roles, the costume department has been kept busy. Hundreds of hours were dedicated to designing, sewing, adjusting, fitting and readjusting the approximately 200 costumes necessary for “Les Misérables.”

One simple costume item was a pair of boots. However, not just one pair was needed. With 16 men in the show, the costume department had to search all over Omaha to find the right style, type and sizes to accurately portray the kind of boots worn around the time of the French Revolution – not necessarily a hot commodity in the 21st century!

The set design team also put a massive number of hours into making this show possible. From backdrops to lighting to building a barricade, this team dedicated their time and effort to making this a realistic and Broadway-caliber set.

The Omaha Community Playhouse is focused on creating a complete package of this show for its audience. Jodi Vaccaro, an ensemble member, is excited for the impact on this showwill have on the audience.

“There’s an amazing exchange that occurs in live theatre between performers and audience members,” said Vaccaro. “I can’t wait to experience that with this show; I think it will be palpable.”

“Les Misérables”’s popularity as one of the biggest shows on Broadway has also shown in the number of people that have already bought their tickets. Performances for Omaha’s production fill up fast. Sponsors for the show, too, have been especially generous and enthusiastic about Les Mis, surpassing the number that the Playhouse set as a goal.

The actors are showing just as much enthusiasm for the upcoming show and their fellow castmates.

“The people I get to perform with are all incredible,”  Stewart said. “While I am new to the playhouse, I feel like I’ve known this cast for much longer because of how friendly and welcoming everyone is. I have learned more from this cast, including the production team, than I could have ever imagined. I’m incredibly grateful for the privilege of getting to know them and for the opportunity to grow as a performer.”

Dignoti, who is playing the role of Javert: said he was very excited to work with this cast.

“It is some of the best voices in musical theatre in the Omaha area. This cast is not just made up of ‘the regulars’ who perform at the Playhouse,” he said. It represents a whole, brand new influx of people who have never performed musical theatre here.”

Many cast members, production team and staff were recently videotaped for a short documentary that was aired on WOWT the night before the premiere performance last week.

Although it took a lot of extra time in these peoples’ schedules, all were willing and excited to be a part of the promotional event. The enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved in the show is truly wonderful to experience, and it will definitely shine through in the performances.

You can see these amazing actors, designers and musicians at the Omaha Community Playhouse’s production of “Les Misérables,” running now until Oct. 27; Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or visit www.omahaplayhouse.com.