7:30 p.m. 94 degrees

Spectators are spread all around the theater grounds- a small family is dining on a picnic dinner, a group of friends purchase T-shirts at the souvenir shop, the Big Muddy Dance Company provides pre-show entertainment at the Lichtenstein Plaza.

The hot summer sun blares down on the smiling faces of the ushers in light blue shirts and khaki pants.

“Could I help you find your seat sir?” One asks, handing an elderly man a program.

Meanwhile, a few cast members are trickling through the backstage gate, located across from the May Plaza.

Production stage manager Michael Clarkston talks to a group of performers about some last minute changes. Musical director Kevin Stites helps a clarinetist find a new reed. Muny Kids and Teens sound engineer Jay Shastri chats with an ensemble member as he guards the backstage gate.

“There’s a lot going on with the preparations of the shows,” Shastri said. “It’s mayhem, but it all comes together in what we call organized chaos.”

8:15 p.m. 89 degrees

The audience settles down in their seats after singing the National Anthem. They turn off their electronics, fan themselves with programs, and settle down in the signature green seats.

75 performers, 27 musicians, and over 100 production crew members are about to perform Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables”. Among them is FHN Spanish 1 and 3 teacher Brian Santos.

“Everyone in the ensemble can sing and act and dance like no other and I’m just in the background being amazed at all the talent,” Santos said. “Everyone is so energetic and focused and they are all devoted to creating the best musical experience possible.”

In January, after 9 months of vocal training with Laurie Strickland, Santos decided to become involved with a nonprofit performing arts group, the Gateway Men’s Chorus (GMC). This past spring, Muny executive producer, Michael Isaacson invited the team of GMC to audition as extras for the 2013 production of “Les Misérables”, which was last performed at the Muny in 2007. For auditions, GMC members had to sing and learn choreography for “Do You Hear the People Sing”. Santos, along with 21 other GMC members, made the cut.

“Auditioning was a very internal decision,” Santos said. “I always want to try new things and better myself. I decided to take this leap of faith and I was really glad I did. It was a very nerve-wrecking experience. During the audition I just thought of it like I was going up in front of my classroom. I think teaching is all about public speaking and getting people to pay attention to what you have to say; that’s kind of what acting is. “

Click here to view a video of the Muny ensemble rehearsing “One Day More”

“Les Misérables” is the fifth out of seven shows for the 2013 Muny season, which runs from June 17 to August 11. Each show, with the exception of Mary Poppins, rehearses for one week and performs during the following week.

Under the direction of GMC artistic director Al Fischer, the Gateway Men’s Chorus rehearsed on their own time at Grand Center and joined the rest of the cast two days before dress rehearsals. Dress rehearsals were held on Saturday July 13 and Sunday July 14 from midnight to four, after the showing of “South Pacific”.

“Right away we felt like we were apart of the team,” Fischer said. “[The cast] had heard about this men’s choir that was going to be performing behind them but we didn’t come in until a few days before the show. When all of a sudden we were there the cast got really excited.”

9:40 p.m. 79 degrees

Santos, with the help of the costume and makeup crew, has been transformed into Pierre, a humble, poor bookkeeper. Pierre isn’t an official part of the cast, but rather a character Santos made up himself in order to immerse himself into the story.

“Les Misérables”, based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, focuses on themes such love, justice, and redemption through the eyes of French citizens during the 1832 June Rebellion. It was recently adapted to film in 2012 starring Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and Anne Hathaway as Fantine.

The sun has moved behind the two famous trees that provide a natural backdrop for many of the Muny productions. The stage is now lit by about 400 stage lights. They shine on the cast members already onstage: Hugh Panaro (Jean Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Tiffany Green (Madame Thénardier). Other members of the cast start to slowly walk onto the stage.

“One day more. Another day another destiny….”

His heart pounds.

“At the barricades of freedom…..”

Adrenaline and energy pumping through him, Santos finally joins in the singing, right on cue. “The time is now, the day is here.”

His feet start moving in time with the others. Right. Left. Right.

After the final note is sung, he can’t help but smile as the lights fade to blackness. Through the applause, the entire cast exits backstage, where Santos breathes a sigh of happy relief

“I was expecting myself to have a lot nerves, but once I saw all the people the nerves turned to excitement,” Santos said. “I got on the stage and all I could remember was a lot of light and then a mountain of people. It was a little intimidating.”

Intermission 9:58 p.m. 79 degrees

While spectators trail off to find the nearest restroom and concession stand,Santos and the rest of the Gateway Men’s Chorus are backstage resting in a specified green room which they share with the Muny Kids and Teens. Santos can’t get it out of his head that he just performed for almost 11,000 people.

The Muny, located in Forest Park, is the oldest and largest outdoor musical theater in America. The Muny stage, orchestra pit, and seating area were built entirely from scratch in 1917. After 42 days of construction, the Muny’s inaugural production of “AIDA” was performed on the evening of June 5 1917. The Muny now seats 11,000 people, including 1,500 free seats, available on a first come, first served basis, in the last nine rows.

11:25 p.m. 77 degrees

After performing in the finale of the show, Santos and the other Gateway Men’s chorus are the first to enter out for curtain call, followed by the Muny Kids and Teens, and rest of the cast. The audience claps, cheers, and whistles and the whole ensemble takes one final bow before the house lights come on.

“The best part is definitely curtain call,” Santos said. “Once the play ends all the actors can stop being serious and we can be silly and happy.”

High fives and hugs are passed around backstage as cast members wipe stage makeup off their faces, hang up their costumes, and meet family and fans outside the backstage gate. Exhausted but still smiling from the excitement of the show, Santos heads home.

“I wouldn’t change this experience for anything in the world,” Santos said. “It has given me a greater appreciation for actors and production staffs because this takes a lot of endurance and dedication. I am extremely blessed to be in this production and I don’t think I could ever forget it.”

Click here to view a video of the highlights of the Muny’s production of “Les Misérables“. Santos can be seen at 2:23 and 3:14.