Glen Rock Actress, Age 8, Cast in Production of 'Les Mis'

Sofia Fusco is off on an early start to her acting career.

At eight years old, the Central School third grader is the youngest in the cast of the Pompton Lakes-based Rhino Theater production of “Les Miserables.”

After auditioning over the summer, Sofia was cast to play a young Eponine, the pampered daughter of corrupt inn owners who, as they grow older, grow destitute on the streets of 19th century France.

“When we went to the first gathering of the cast, they told us in total for this cast they had 177 audition sheets,” said her mother, Charlene.

Of the 65 selected for the cast, Sofia is one of six children, who share three roles in the production. The young Glen Rock actress plays Eponine in half the shows, singing in the ensemble the balance of the performances.

Sofia had been in productions of “Annie” and “The Little Mermaid” at the Porch Light Theater in Glen Rock, where she is enrolled in an extra-curricular musical theater program, her mother said.

“She’s all about anything creative,” Charlene said. “She loves art, creating things with paper, and she loves to sing.”

And she does plenty of singing in the “Les Miserables,” a long musical with no spoken dialogue.

The experience has been “incredible” for Sofia, her mother said. Though she had been in extra-curricular productions before, it was the first role she ever auditioned for, and she takes the stage on weekends alongside seasoned adult actors.

“It’s not Broadway and it’s not Paper Mill Playhouse in terms of size, but the talent in the show is incredible,” Charlene said. “To have a local show be so amazing – it was really a treat when we went to see it, and not just because my child is in it.”

“She is just in heaven,” she added. “Every day it’s just, ‘Is it Friday yet?’ She just can’t wait to go back.”

As for the young actress’s future on the stage, Charlene said there aren’t any immediate plans to go on auditions.

But she was hesitant to speak for her daughter.

“I’m sure she has plans of her own,” she said.

The Rhino Theater presentation of “Les Miserables” runs through Dec. 1 with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at 247 Wanaque Ave. in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Tickets, available at the theater’s website are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $20 for children.