As someone who was in the school edition production (as Cosette) and a huge fan of Les Mis, I can say for sure that the show is great to perform and is good for younger students as a first show. (That may sound weird, but there were many ten year olds who joined the theatre group for that show.)
And, the only things we changed for Mme. Thenardier's lines were: "lifelong twist" and "everybody raise a beer" "raise it up the master's rear" =)
My community theatre did the "non" school edition legally. I promise you. We have the legal DVD, posters, programs, [now shreaded] libretto copys and other to prove it.
Maybe there was an exception or extra money, but we did do it. promise
I haven't any additional charges were made. Ive always thought this version was well done.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.