"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #3: Madame Thenardier!

Cara Kennedy, our Madame Thénardier

In “real life”, Cara works at an independent Northshore school in the Advancement Office, working in alumni relations, fundraising, and special event planning. She attended Merrimack College and studied History and French (though she admits to mispronouncing many character names in the show!). Most of her free time is devoted to friends, family, and of course her ACT Family. She has been on the board for ACT since 2010 and does everything from taking notes to planning special events and fundraisers. She is also very proud of her participation in the ACT Jr. Summer Theater Intensive, in which she’s been involved since its inaugural performance (three summers ago) of Les Misérables (School Edition). It's like coming full circle! 

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

I had heard the songs throughout my life, as most people will have, but my first true experience with the show was when Andover High School performed it, in 2003 I believe. Having graduated just a few years before, I knew many of the cast members. I just remember sitting in the audience, in total awe. I can't remember many details, but I remember this amazing feeling, that I've never forgotten. Ever since then, it has been a dream to be able to perform this show, on stage, and possibly give someone else that memory and feeling. To have that chance... it is absolutely incredible! 

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

My real personality is a lot more like Mary Poppins, so to have to dig deep and find my inner villain... it's pretty fun! That being said, the first rehearsal when I had to be to mean to the little Cosettes, I felt awful! I love working with Steve [Filipiak], who is playing Thénardier. Together we've come up with really fun interactions. He's the perfect partner in crime! Overall, Madame Thénardier is a great character; she's evil enough that you hate her, but you cannot help but laugh at her jokes. 

What about this production excites you the most?

I would have to say the fact that this show has never been performed at the local level, and that we are the first to do it! It's very humbling to know that this is such an epic show, and THE MUSICAL, for so many. To have the privilege to be on stage performing it, words really cannot express how it feels. I also love the fact that there are so many new faces on stage with many of our returning ACT members. We love welcoming new people to the "family," and this show seems to have brought a pretty great group together. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Having found ACT four years ago, after a long hiatus from theater since my days at Andover High School, I can honestly say it's really changed my world. I've always loved to sing, but never dreamed after college it would ever happen again on stage. The fact that I am able to do something I love so much, while still having a full time job and adult responsibilities... it's just not something I expected. More so than the chance to be onstage though, are the friendships that have been forged through the process of putting on a show. One of my favorite quotes of all time, is from Kermit the Frog (I LOVE THE MUPPETS!). He said "I have a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. It's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And I found a whole group of friends who have the same dream, and that makes us sort of like a family." Well, that pretty much sums up how I feel about ACT and local theater. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

People should come to see this show for so many reasons. It's an amazing story about redemption, the power of love and forgiveness. I often sit in rehearsals with chills because of the power of the words my cast mates are singing and the story they are telling. If I can still be getting chills after seeing and hearing it for over a month... I can't wait to see what happens when there is a live audience to experience it!