Little people make big splash

Will Higgins and Jonah Rawitz show what little people can do.

They show with their voices as they sing their character's song, "Little People."

"Little people know when little people fight.

"We may look easy pickings but we got some bite.

So never kick a dog because he's just a pup.

We'll fight like 20 armies and we won't give up.

So you better run for cover when the pup grows up."

Will, 12, and Jonah, 10, are sharing the role of Gavroche in Marriott Lincolnshire's production of "Les Miserables."

Will of Grayslake and Jonah of Buffalo Grove both started performing at age 9.

Jonah, a fourth-grader at Ivy Hill School in Buffalo Grove, joined "Oklahoma!" through the local park district. Will, a sixth-grader at St. Gilbert School in Grayslake, joined "Cinderella" through the Christian Youth Theatre.

"It's a lot of fun performing, and I like it at the end when everyone applauds," Jonah said.

Influenced to act by watching family members, their experience varies. Jonah's only other role was in Stevenson High School's cast of "Tennessee Williams." For Will, the Marriott show is his 12th play.

When the ad came out to fill roles in "Les Miserables" Lauren Rawitz, Jonah's mother, said appearing on the professional stage was a dream because Jonah had limited stage experience.

But Jonah said, "I went for it to have another experience, something else to help me farther to go into acting."

Will said past directors encouraged him to audition and he decided to go for the part of Gavroche.

Performing the same role with Christian Youth Theatre, he said Gavroche's song, "Little People," fits him.

"It just shows that little people can whip butt," he said.

After passing through the first audition among 200 kids and the second among five finalists, Jonah said he screamed when he heard he was cast. He said he was "insanely happy."

"The first thing that I did was I called all the directors that encouraged me to audition and I thanked them a lot," Will said.

Both boys were happy to share the role.

"How often as adults do you see that where they are so completely supportive of each other?" Rawitz said.

Jonah said they have fun together and learn from what the other one is doing on stage.

But giving four performances each week, Jonah acknowledges acting does cut into their social lives.

"You have it down to about three people, right?" Will asked him. "Me, Elianna (Schnittman), Arielle (Dayan) and you."

Elianna of Northbrook, who plays young Cosette, and Arielle of Highland Park, who plays young Eponine, also are among the other area children in the cast.

Rawitz said it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to work with the actors, many who have come from Broadway.

Will said the cast not only makes them feel included on stage but also are nice off stage. Jonah added they have done projects backstage such as making sock puppets to create a parody of the play.

"It is amazing how much they all reach out to them," said Ann Marie Higgins, Will's mother. "They try to find a common interest,"

Some of the actors also offer tips. Jonah said he was taught to clench his chest when Gavroche is dying.

Before going on stage, Will said he was taught to press on a certain spot of the throat and gargle air to clear the throat. He admits he doesn't know if he found the right place.

Will recalled one cast member "gave us a lot of Lemonheads. He taught us the proper way to eat a Lemonhead," he added.

Higgins said Will can't wait to try out for another CYT play. For Jonah, the experience has built confidence.

"Next time I audition for whatever it is, I don't think I will be as nervous," he said.

Both boys already see what career they will pursue, and it's not acting. They both enjoy architecture.

"I might still do acting as a pastime but I'm not going to depend on it for my bread," Will said.

Rawitz said as long as Jonah loves acting and it doesn't become a business, it is wonderful to pursue.

"I know this has been a dream come true so I can't imagine what can happen after this," she said.

If you go

What: "Les Miserables"

Where: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire

When: 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday through May 11

Running time: About 2 hours 45 minutes, with intermission

Tickets: $45-$55 (lunch/dinner extra)

Box office: (847) 634-0200 or visit marriotttheatre.com