LES MISéRABLES (MUSICAL)

'''Les Misérables''' (pronunciation ), colloquially known as '''Les Mis''', is a musical composed in 1980 by French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg on a libretto by Alain Boublil. Through-sung, it is perhaps the most famous of all French musicals and one of the most performed musicals worldwide. On October 8 2006, the show celebrated its 21st anniversary and became the longest-running West End musical in history and is still running (though it has changed venues). ^[1] The musical is based on the novel ''Les Misérables'' by Victor Hugo. Its Tony award-winning score includes the songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "Do You Hear the People Sing?", "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "A Little Fall of Rain," "Master of the House", and "On My Own."
''Les Mis'' tells the stories of multiple characters, including: a paroled convict named Jean Valjean who, failing attempts to find work as an honest man with his yellow ticket of leave, breaks his parole and conceals his identity in order to live his life again; the police inspector Javert, who becomes obsessed with finding Valjean; Fantine, the single mother of Cosette, who is forced to become a prostitute to support her daughter; Marius, a French student who falls in love with Valjean's adopted daughter Cosette; Eponine, the young daughter of the Thénardiers who is hopelessly in love with Marius; the Thénardiers, who own an Inn and exploit their customers; and Enjolras and the other students, who are working toward freeing the oppressed lower class of France.

Background

Les Misérables 2006-07 rebirth at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway.

The musical opened in September 1980 at the ''Palais des Sports'' in Paris. In 1982, English producer Cameron Mackintosh began work on an English language version, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The first English production, produced by Mackintosh and adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird opened on October 8 1985, in the Barbican Arts Centre in London before moving first to the Palace Theatre and later to the Queen's Theatre, where it is still playing.
The Broadway production opened on March 12 1987 and was nominated for twelve Tony Awards, winning eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and ran until 2003. It is still the third longest-running Broadway show in history. A fully re-orchestrated Broadway revival opened on November 9 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre.
"Les Mis" placed first in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals" in June 2005, receiving more than 40% of the votes cast.^[2]
In 1982, about six months after he had opened ''Cats'' in London, Producer Cameron Mackintosh was given the Album of the original French show by director Peter Ferago, who was greatly impressed by the recording and asked if Mackintosh would be interested in producing an English version of the show. Mackintosh was doubtful at first, but eventually decided to produce it. Journalist and poet James Fenton was initially chosen to write the English lyrics, but was eventually replaced by Herbert Kretzmer, who expanded and reworked the original French lyrics. His work is not a direct "translation" of the French, a term that Kretzmer refuses to use. A third of the English lyrics were a ''rough'' translation, another third were adapted from the French lyrics and the final third consisted of brand new material, such as the Prologue. Additional music was written to go with the brand new material. Trevor Nunn and John Caird were hired to direct and co-direct the show respectively, and the Royal Shakespeare Company were chosen to put on the show, with some of their members, such as Roger Allam and Alun Armstrong, being cast members. The show opened in London in October 1985, marking the opening of the international career of a show that would become a worldwide success and one of the most popular musicals of all time.

The iconic emblem

The illustration on which the musical's emblem is based.

''Les Misérables'' was a part of the major European influence on Broadway in the 80's along with ''Cats'', ''The Phantom of the Opera'', and ''Miss Saigon''.
Well-known songs from the musical include "Look Down," "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House," "Do You Hear the People Sing?", "On My Own," "A Little Fall of Rain," "Bring Him Home," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Stars," "A Heart Full of Love," "At the End of the Day," "Castle On A Cloud," "Red and Black," and "One Day More".
The musical's emblem is a picture of the waif Cosette, usually shown cropped to a head-and-shoulders portrait with the French national flag superimposed. The picture is based on the illustration by Émile Bayard that appeared in the original edition of the novel in 1862.

Synopsis

;Act I
The curtain rises with Scene 1, showing a French prison in 1815 with its prisoners singing the opening chorus ("Overture/Work Song"). Jean Valjean, the lead protagonist, is released on parole after 19 years for stealing bread to feed his sister's child and running from the police. The antagonist policeman Javert gives Valjean a yellow ticket-of-leave that he must display, which condemns him as an outcast. After failed numerous attempts to start anew ("On Parole"), he is finally taken in by the saintly Bishop of Digne, who kindly offers him food and shelter. Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is quickly caught and brought back by the police; however, the Bishop misleads the police (without quite lying to them) to save Valjean, also giving him two silver candlesticks, asking Valjean to start anew and begin an honest life ("Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven"). Valjean, humbled by the bishop's mercy and kindness, decides to follow the bishop's advice ("What Have I Done? (Valjean's Soliloquy)").
The show then advances eight years—Valjean, having broken his parole and changed his name to Monsieur Madeleine, has risen to become both a factory owner and Mayor! It comes to his attention that one of his factory workers, Fantine, has a secret illegitimate child ("At The End of The Day"). When the other women discover this, they demand her dismissal. Valjean brushes off the incident, handing Fantine's fate to the factory foreman, whose advances she had previously rejected, and he throws her out of the factory. Fantine tells her story about the father of her daughter who left them alone ("I Dreamed a Dream").
Desperate for money to pay for medicines for her sick and dying daughter Cosette, Fantine sells her locket, her hair, and then becomes a prostitute ("Lovely Ladies"). Ashamed by her new degrading profession, she refuses and fights a prospective customer ("Fantine's Arrest"). Fantine is about to be taken to prison by Javert when "The Mayor", Valjean, discovers that it was his fault that Fantine is suffering. He demands that she be taken to a hospital instead. Soon after this incident, a runaway cart pins down a local man (Fauchelevant) and Valjean comes to his rescue ("The Runaway Cart"). Javert is reminded of the abnormal strength of convict 24601, Jean Valjean, a parole-breaker he has been tracking for years and whom apparently has just been recaptured. The real Valjean, unable to see an innocent man go to prison in his place, confesses to the court that he is prisoner 24601, showing the convict's brand on his chest as a proof ("Who Am I? (The Trial)").
However, before returning to prison, Valjean returns to Fantine's side and promises the dying Fantine to find and look after her daughter Cosette. ("Come to Me (Fantine's Death)") When Javert arrives to arrest him, Valjean asks for three more days to fetch Cosette, but Javert refuses to believe his honest intentions. While Valjean tries to convince Javert, Javert makes it clear that he does not believe in rehabilitation and reveals he was born inside a jail ("The Confrontation"). The two have a physical confrontation, and Valjean knocks Javert out and escapes.
The scene then shifts to focus on a young Cosette, who has been lodging for the past five years with the Thénardiers. The couple run an inn and horribly abuse the little girl whom they use as a skivvy while indulging their own daughter, Eponine. Cosette dreams of a better life ("Castle on a Cloud"). Madame Thénardier finds her dreaming and sends her to fetch water from a well in the woods, ignoring the little girl's pleas ("Now look who's here"). The inn fills up for the evening, and the Thénardiers sing about how they cheat their customers ("Master of the House"). Valjean finds Cosette fetching water in the dark ("The Well"). He pays the Thénardiers to let him take Cosette away and brings her to Paris ("The Bargain - The Thenardier Waltz of Treachery").
Nine years later, the city breaks out into pandemonium because of the likely demise of a popular leader General Lamarque, the last remaining man in the government who fights for the poor. The urchin Gavroche mingles with the whores and the beggars of the capital ("Look Down"). One of the street gangs is led by Thénardier and his wife, which sets upon Jean Valjean and Cosette ("The Robbery"). Thénardier recognizes Valjean as the man who took Cosette. Valjean and Cosette are rescued by Javert, who does not recognize Valjean until after he makes his escape ("Javert's Intervention"). Javert gazes at the night sky, comparing his relentless hunt of Valjean and justice to the constancy of the stars ("The Stars"). Gavroche overhears Javert and reasserts that he is the one who "runs this town." The Thénardiers' daughter Eponine, who is secretly in love with the student Marius, reluctantly agrees to help Marius find Cosette. Marius immediately fell in love with Cosette after bumping into her on the street ("Eponine's Errand").
A shift in scene features a political meeting in a small café where a group of idealistic students gathered to prepare for the revolution they are sure will erupt after the death of General Lamarque ("The ABC Cafe - Red and Black"). Marius comes and is made fun of because of his love for a girl whose name he doesn't even know. When Gavroche brings the news of the General's death, the students, led by Enjolras, stream out into the streets to whip up popular support ("Do You Hear the People Sing?")
Cosette is also consumed by thoughts of Marius, with whom she has fallen in love. Valjean realizes that his daughter is growing up very quickly but refuses to tell her anything of her past or her mother ("Rue Plumet - In My Life"). In spite of her own feelings for Marius, Eponine sadly brings him to Cosette ("A Heart Full of Love") and then prevents an attempt by her father's gang to rob Valjean's house and blackmail Valjean with the knowledge of his past ("The Attack on Rue Plumet"). Valjean, convinced it was Javert who was lurking outside his house, tells Cosette they must prepare to flee the country ("My God, Cosette!"). On the eve of the revolution, the students prepare for the upcoming battle; Cosette and Marius part in despair of ever meeting again; Javert decides that he will stay and watch the students fight; Eponine mourns the loss of Marius; and Valjean looks forward to the security of exile. The Thénardiers, meanwhile, dream of rich pickings underground from the chaos to come ("One Day More").
;Act II
The students prepare to build the barricade ("Upon These Stones - Building the Barricade"). Meanwhile, Javert is given the task of spying for the government troops. Marius, noticing that Eponine has joined the insurrection, sends her with a letter to Cosette, which is intercepted at the Rue Plumet by Valjean. Eponine decides, despite what he has said to her, to rejoin Marius at the barricade ("On My Own").
The barricade is built ("Upon These Stones - At the Barricade") and the revolutionaries defy an army warning that they must give up or die. Javert comes back ("Javert's Arrival At The Barricade"), telling the students lies about the government's plans. Gavroche exposes Javert as a police spy ("Little People"). When Eponine returns to the barricades, she is fatally shot and peacefully dies in Marius's arms ("A Little Fall of Rain"). Valjean arrives at the barricades in search of Marius. During the following battle ("The First Attack"), he saves Enjolras by shooting a sniper. As a reward, he asks to be the one who shoots Javert, but instead releases him and even gives him his address. The students settle down for a night ("Drink With Me (The Night)") on the barricade, and, in the quiet of the night, Valjean prays to God to save Marius from the onslaught that is to come ("Bring Him Home"). The next day, with ammunition running low ("Dawn of Anguish"), Gavroche runs out to collect more and is shot dead by the army ("The Second Attack (The Death of Gavroche)"). The students are attacked again ("The Final Battle"), and everyone is killed except Jean Valjean and Marius.
Valjean escapes through the sewers, carrying a wounded Marius on his back ("The Sewers"). Meanwhile, Thenardier is also in the sewers, stealing valuables off the dead bodies from the battle. He laughs that he's doing a "service to the town" ("Dog Eat Dog"). He also robs Marius as Valjean is resting; he escapes when he sees Valjean waking again. Valjean runs into Javert, who has been waiting for him at the sewer's issue by the Seine. He begs Javert to give him one more hour to bring Marius to a doctor, and Javert reluctantly agrees. After Valjean leaves, Javert realizes Valjean is not purely evil as he always thought. Unable to deal with losing his lifelong view of the world, he commits suicide by throwing himself in the Seine ("Javert's Suicide").
Back on the streets of Paris, several women mourn the deaths of the young students at the barricades ("Turning"). Marius returns to the ABC Cafe, mourning for his friends and lamenting that they will never meet there again ("Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"). Cosette comforts him by telling him that she will never go away ("Every Day") and they reaffirm their love ("A Heart Full of Love - Reprise"). Valjean tells Marius that he is an escaped convict and says he must go away because his presence puts Cosette in danger ("Valjean's Confession"). Valjean makes Marius promise never to tell Cosette. Marius makes only a half-hearted attempt to hold him back.
Marius and Cosette are married ("Wedding Chorale"). The Thenardiers crash the wedding ("Beggars at the Feast"). They tell Marius that Valjean is a murderer, saying they saw him carrying a corpse in the sewers after the barricades fell. When Thénardier shows him the ring he took from the corpse, Marius realizes that the "corpse" was him, and that Valjean saved his life that night.
Meanwhile, Valjean prepares for his death. With Cosette gone, he has nothing left to live for. He has written his confession for Cosette to read. Just as the ghosts of Fantine and Eponine arrive to take him to heaven, Cosette and Marius rush in, just in time to bid adieu to Valjean and for Marius to thank him for saving his life. Valjean dies and the ghosts of the dead guide him to paradise with a last reprise of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" ("Finale")

Musical numbers

Main articles: Songs from Les Misérables

;Act I ★ Overture/Work Song-Javert, Valjean, Chain Gang ★ On Parole-Farmer, Laborer, Valjean ★ Valjean Arrested/ Valjean Forgiven-Bishop, Valjean, Towspeople ★ What Have I Done?-Valjean ★ At The End of The Day-Poor, Forman, Fantine, Factory Girls, Valjean ★ I Dreamed A Dream-Fantine ★ Lovely Ladies-Sailors, Hag, Fantine, Whores, Pimp ★ Fantine's Arrest-Customer, Fantine, Javert, Valjean ★ The Runaway Cart-Valjean, Javert, Victim, Townspeople ★ Who Am I? (The Trial)-Valjean ★ Come To Me (Fantine's Death)-Fantine, Valjean ★ Confrontation-Javert, Valjean ★ Castle On A Cloud-Young Cosette ★ Master Of The House-Thenardier, Mme Thenerdier, Customers ★ The Thenardier Waltz of Treachery-Valjean, Thenerdier, Mme Thenerdier, ★ Look Down/The Streets-Beggers, Gavroche, Enjorlas, Marius, Eponine ★ The Robbery - Javert's Intervention (Another Brawl)-Thenardier, Mme Thenardier, Javert, Valjean, Eponine ★ Stars-Javert ★ Eponine's Errand-Eponine, Marius ★ ABC Cafe/Red and Black-Enjorlas, Marius, Grantaire, Students ★ Do You Hear The People Sing?-Enjorlas, Students, Beggers ★ In My Life-Cosette, Valjean, Marius, Eponine ★ A Heart Full Of Love-Marius, Cosette, Eponine ★ The Attack On Rue Plumet-Thenardier, Thiefs, Eponine, Marius, Valjean, Cosette ★ One Day More-Full Company	;Act II ★ Upon These Stones (Building The Barricade)-Enjorlas, Javert, Eponine, Marius ★ The Letter-Eponine, Valjean ★ On My Own-Eponine ★ Upon These Stones (At The Barricade)-Enjorlas, Students ★ Javert's Arrival At The Barricade-Javert, Students ★ Little People-Gavroche, Students ★ A Little Fall Of Rain(Eponine's Death)-Eponine, Marius ★ Night of Anguish-Students ★ The First Attack-Enjorlas, Students ★ Drink With Me-Students ★ Bring Him Home-Valjean ★ Dawn of Anguish-Enjorlas, Students ★ The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche)-Enjorlas, Marius, Valjean, Gavroche, Students ★ The Final Attack-Enjorlas, Students ★ Dog Eats Dog (The Sewers)-Thenardier, Valjean, Javert ★ Javert's Suicide-Javert ★ Turning-Women ★ Empty Chairs At Empty Tables-Marius ★ Every Day (Marius and Cosette)-Marius, Cosette, Valjean ★ Wedding Chorale/Beggars At The Feast-Thenardier, Mme Thenardier, Marius, Cosette, Guests ★ Finale-Valjean, Fantine, Marius, Cosette, Eponine, Company

Principal characters

The principal characters of ''Les Misérables'' fall into one of two generations.
The first generation, which consists of Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and the Thenardiers, ages substantially during the show because of the ten year time lapse which happens about halfway through the first act (Fantine does not age, however, because her death takes place before the ten year time lapse). Although Cosette and Eponine are part of the second generation of principal characters, they are also in the show as small children. The young versions of Cosette and Eponine are meant to be played by different actresses from the teenage Cosette and Eponine, who both fall in love with Marius.
The second generation of principal characters is made up of Marius, Cosette, Eponine, Enjolras, and Gavroche. With the exception of Gavroche, these characters are all teenagers for the duration of the play.
These characters also all fit into one of two social classes. Marius, Enjolras and the rest of the students (minus Feuilly) are part of the upper class while Eponine, the Thenardiers, Fantine, Gavroche and Javert are part of the lower class. Valjean and Cosette both start in the lower class and become part of the upper class later.

Characters

''Listed in the order in which they appear''

★ 'Javert' is the ruthless police detective who adheres strongly to the belief that ''people cannot change for the better''. Javert serves, in general, one purpose in ''Les Misérables'', albeit an extremely important one: to pursue Jean Valjean. ''Vocal Range: Baritone''.

★ 'Jean Valjean' is a multi-faceted character. He is the archetype for the reformed criminal. Though his past is checkered, he possesses a fundamental understanding of the difference between right and wrong, and through insurmountable odds, lives a life of virtue. ''Vocal Range: Tenor''.

★ 'Fantine' is widely recognized as the truly tragic figure of ''Les Misérables''. She makes some difficult choices, but ultimately sacrifices herself so her daughter might have a better life. ''Vocal Range: Mezzo-soprano''.

★ 'Young Cosette', the daughter of Fantine, and the icon of the Musical (found on most advertising). ''Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano''.

★ 'Madame Thénardier', M. Thénardier's wife. Works together with her husband, both when they own the inn and later on as his partner in crime. ''Vocal Range: mezzo-soprano''

★ 'M. Thénardier', the ruthless innkeeper who is the guardian of Cosette in her early years. He is arguably the very definition of "unsavory". ''Vocal Range: Baritone''.

★ 'Eponine Thénardier', the daughter of the Thénardiers. In love with Marius and sees Cosette, justifiably, as a rival. As a member of her father's gang and one of the many to die on the barricades, her fortitude cannot be denied. ''Vocal Range: Alto''.

★ 'Marius Pontmercy' is the young, impressionable rebel student who falls in love with Valjean's adopted daughter, Cosette. One of the few left on his feet at the final curtain. ''Vocal Range: Baritone''.

★ 'Cosette' is Fantine's daughter and a very static character compared to the others. When coupled with Marius, their wide-eyed innocence and their optimism ensure their survival. ''Vocal Range: Soprano''.

★ 'Enjolras', the student leader. Charismatic, handsome and a natural leader, his belief in the revolution takes the students, including Marius, to the barricades where they meet their demise. ''Vocal Range: Tenor''.

★ 'Gavroche', a street urchin. A young boy who lives on the streets joins into the revolution. ''Vocal Range: boy alto/boy soprano''.

Musical themes

The recurrent themes in the score add an interesting depth to the story, as different characters sing different songs to the same music through the course of the show. For example, the music sung by Fantine as she dies foreshadows Eponine's more famous version, "On My Own". The two characters share a second melody: Fantine's "I Dreamed a Dream" is sung at the end of the first act in the stirring medley "One Day More".
Javert's fall from grace and Valjean's rise from despair -- one of the plot's central themes -- is explored in complementary music. Valjean's "What Have I Done?" and "Javert's Suicide" are each character's response to an extraordinary show of mercy from another character: Valjean in response to the Bishop's silver, and Javert in response to Valjean's allowing him to escape with his life. Both songs deal with the characters dealing with the mercy they've been shown, but with different results: Valjean swears a life living up to the Bishop's expectations, while Javert ends in suicide.
Cosette's childhood song "Castle on a Cloud" recurs years later when she tells Valjean of the attempted attack on their house. These examples approach true leitmotif and are among the deepest re-uses of music in the show, but for the most part these reprises tend toward contrafactum, meaning that the same tune often recurs verbatim, untransformed, mostly with the same accompaniment, yet without any apparent connection between the two or more recurrences. There are also many passages where a melody is introduced by one character and then later is sung by another character with no connection to the first.
The melody of the "Work Song" appears in the "Overture" and is later repeated in "The Confrontation" and "Paris-Look down". It is included in several other songs: "On Parole", and many times at the barricade (for example "Building The Barricade", "Upon These Stones", "Gavroche's Death", "The Final Attack" and before "Javert's Suicide"). Its frequent appearance in situations of desperation might indicate the melody's intention as a "Theme of the ''Miserables''" – fittingly, as it is also the primary overture.
"Valjean Arrested/Valjean Forgiven", is first sung by the two officers, then repeated by the Bishop. The first part is rather aggressive, while the second sounds calmer and softer. It is later often repeated in songs involving Javert, where he (mostly) sings the first part and whomever he's "talking" to the second part. Its initial use is in a minor key, giving it an aggressive feel, but in "One Day More", Javert sings it in a major key, sounding almost majestic. The calmer version is sung by Marius in "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables." The only one who never sings the theme is Valjean. Even as Javert is talking to him (after "The Runaway Cart" or before Javert's suicide), he answers in a tone similar to the song "Who Am I?".
The melody of "Bring Him Home" is, interestingly enough, very similar to that of the "Humming Chorus" in Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Production history

''Les Misérables'' at Queen's Theatre in London

Original London production

The English language version, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and additional material by James Fenton, was substantially expanded and reworked from a literal translation by Siobhan Bracke of the original Paris version, in particular adding a prologue to tell Jean Valjean's backstory.
In addition, two songs were deleted when the play was revised for Broadway - the complete version of Gavroche's song "Little People" and the adult Cosette's "I Saw Him Once." "I Saw Him Once" was replaced by a short section at the beginning of "In My Life".
The first English production, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, opened on 8 October 1985 at the Barbican Arts Centre, London. It was billed in the RSC Barbican Theatre programme as 'The Royal Shakespeare Company presentation of the RSC/Cameron Mackintosh production' and had played to preview performances commencing on 28 September 1985.
The set was designed by John Napier, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and lighting by David Hersey. Musical supervision and orchestrations were by John Cameron, musical staging by Kate Flatt with musical direction by Martin Koch.
The production starred Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, Frances Ruffelle as Eponine, Rebecca Caine as Cosette, Patti LuPone as Fantine, Roger Allam as the persistent Inspector Javert, Michael Ball as Marius, Ian Tucker as Gavroche, and Alun Armstrong as the villainous, but funny rogue Thénardier.
On December 4 1985, it transferred to the Palace Theatre and moved again on 3 April 2004 to the Queen's Theatre, with some revisions of staging, where it is still playing [1], [2].
In the commercial sphere the co-production has generated valuable income for the Royal Shakespeare Company [3].

''Les Misérables'' in the Imperial Theatre, 2003

Broadway production

The Broadway production opened on March 12 1987 at the Broadway Theater. Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle reprised their roles from the London production.
The cast included David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Anthony Crivello as Bamatabois and Grantaire, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Steve Shocket as Fauchlevent, Norman Large as the Bishop of Digne, Braden Danner as Gavroche, Paul Harman as the Factory Foreman, Donna Vivino as Young Cosette, Jennifer Butt as Madame Thénardier, Leo Burmester as Thénardier, Randy Graff as Fantine and Terrence Mann as Javert.
The musical ran at the Broadway Theatre through October 10 1990, when it moved to the Imperial Theatre. It was scheduled to close on March 15 2003, but the closing was postponed by a surge in public interest, probably as a result of the announcement. After 6,680 performances in sixteen years, when it closed on May 18 2003, it was the second-longest-running Broadway musical after ''Cats''. More recently, its position has fallen to the third-longest-running Broadway musical after ''The Phantom of the Opera'' ascended initially to the second and, in 2006, to the number one spot.

2006 Broadway revival

''Les Misérables'' began a limited return to Broadway on November 9 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre. On December 19th 2006, it was announced that ''Les Misérables'' would extend its run until September 1, 2007. Since, it was announced that it may begin to work in an open-ended format. In this instance, the show may run until the producers decide to close because of ticket sales or for personal reasons, rather than having a set date. Tickets are available from now until January 6, 2008.

2006 Original Broadway Revival Cast

★ Alexander Gemignani as Jean Valjean

★ Norm Lewis as Javert

★ Daphne Rubin-Vega as Fantine

★ Celia Keenan-Bolger as Eponine

★ Aaron Lazar as Enjolras

★ Adam Jacobs as Marius

★ Ali Ewoldt as Cosette

★ Gary Beach as Thénardier

★ Jenny Galloway as Mme. Thénardier
Since opening, Fantine has been played by Nikki Renee Daniels, who was replaced by Lea Salonga on Mar 6, 2007. Ann Harada, of the original cast of ''Avenue Q'', replaced Jenny Galloway as Mme. Thenardier on April 24, 2007. Ben Crawford and Mandy Bruno also joined the cast that day, playing Javert and Eponine respectively.On July 23, 2007, Drew Sarich started playing the role of Jean Valjean, following Alex Gemignani's departure.

2006 Broadway Revival Replacement Cast

As of July 23, the cast is the following:

★ Drew Sarich as Jean Valjean

★ Robert Hunt as Javert

★ Lea Salonga as Fantine

★ Megan McGinnis as Eponine

★ Max von Exsen as Enjolras

★ Adam Jacobs as Marius

★ Ali Ewoldt as Cosette

★ Chip Zien as Thenardier

★ Ann Harada as Mme. Thenardier

10th anniversary concert

Main articles: Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert

On October 8 1995, the show celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This 10th Anniversary Concert is nearly 'complete', missing only a handful of scenes, including "The Death of Gavroche" and the confrontation between Marius and Thénardier at the wedding feast. Sir Cameron Mackintosh hand-selected the cast, and has come to be called the ''Les Misérables Dream Cast'', assembling cast members from around the world. The concert concluded with notable Valjeans from productions the world over singing "Do You Hear the People Sing".

Other concert performances

The musical has also been performed in concert at Cardiff Castle and several venues in southern England, produced by Earl Carpenter Concerts. A concert version starring original Valjean Colm Wilkinson was also performed at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. In 1989 a one-night concert performance was performed at the Toronto Skydome, and the largest concert production attracted an audience of 125,000 and was performed as part of the Australia day celebrations in Sydney. The Scandinavian concert tour played to capacity arenas in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.
In February 2008 ''Les Misérables'' will be performed at the BIC in Bournemouth, England with a cast of West End stars accompanied by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

National Broadway touring production

The US Broadway touring production of ''Les Misérables'' was one of the longest running American touring musicals of all time. Closing on July 23, 2006 at the Fox Theatre in Saint Louis, Missouri, the tour ran for 17 years and 7061 performances. The tour played in 145 cities in 43 states. The same touring company also frequently performed in Canada, and made a diversion in 2002 to visit Shanghai, China for 3 weeks.

International productions

Most productions have been based on the West End version of the show, including the 1991 Paris version which mixed original lyrics with new French lyrics for the additional and altered songs. The show has been produced in 38 countries and translated into 21 languages. Including singles and promos, there have been over fifty official recordings from worldwide productions.^[3]
A production opened in Oslo, Norway on March 17, 1988 (only 5 days after the Broadway opening). The translated version of this musical was presented in Vienna at the Raimund Theater from 1988 to 1990. From 25 February 2006, ''Les Miserables'' was staged at Trøndelag Teater (Trondheim, Norway). It played 138 performances before closing.^[4] In the late half of 2008, a Chinese version of ''Les Misérables'' is going to be staged in Shanghai, China, by the Joint Venture of Cameron Macintosh Ltd. and Shanghai Grand Theatre.^[5]
''Les Misérables'' opened in Tokyo on June 11, 1987. ''Les Misérables'' has had many engagements. It is the first country outside the United Kingdom and the United States to stage the updated version musical. They have made a total of 6 cast recordings (all recorded live in Japanese), with each cast recording having a specific color label ('94-Blue/Red, '03-Light Blue/Green/Purple/Orange) as well as a 7" single of the balled 'On My Own' performed by Kaho Shimada. Notable actors/actresses that have played in Japanese production of this musical are Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Kaho Shimada, Takeshi Kaga (from Iron Chef), and Minako Honda. For the 20th Anniversary engagement, some of the original Japanese cast have made guest appearance. It celebrated its 20th Anniversary on June 11th at Teikoku Theatre in Tokyo.
In 1991 (February 28) the show opened in The Netherlands. First in Theater Carré, Amsterdam, until the production moved in October 1991, to Fortis Circustheater in Scheveningen. In 2008, a new production is planned for Rotterdam's Luxor Theatre.^[6]. The production is the first international production to use Stephen Metcalfe's re-orchestrations ^[7].
Les Miserables opened in 2000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, being the second version in Spanish after the 1993 Madrid version. It ran for eight months at Teatro Ópera. The Spanish-speaking version (Madrid, Buenos Aires and México, in which Mexican Soprano Claudia Cota, played the role of Cosette) is the only international version having changed its name from ''Les Misérables'' to ''Los Miserables''. No recording was made from the Buenos Aires production, making the Madrid production the only Spanish recording of the show.^[8] It also was performed in Portuguese during 2001/2002 season in São Paulo, Brazil, opening the newly restored Abril theatre, where other musicals have been staged thereafter, such as Disney's ''Beauty and the Beast'', ''Chicago'' and ''The Phantom of the Opera''.
In 2002, ''Les Misérables'' became the first Broadway musical to be staged in mainland China. Running for twenty-one performances at Shanghai's Grand Theatre, the American touring cast's production was spectacularly successful, grossing 12 million yuan.
On April 8 2004, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, ''Les Mis'' became the first West End play ever to be performed at Windsor Castle.
Other productions have been staged in Australia, Germany, Israel,Hungary, Iceland, Canada, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Bermuda, Malta, the Philippines, Mauritius, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Belgium, Finland, and Estonia, having been translated into 22 languages: Argentinean, Castillian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Japanese, Mauritian Creole, Mexican, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.

U. S. regional productions

Beginning in 2007, a limited number of regional productions (5) of ''Les Misérables'' licensed by Cameron Mackintosh are being staged.
One of these is unique in that it is the first staging of ''Les Misérables'' as theater in the round. This production is by the respected ''California Musical Theatre (CMT)'' (Sacramento, Califonia) in its ''Music Circus'' summer series (production runs from July 10 thru July 22, 2007). This production is directed by Glenn Casale, choreographed by Bob Richard, with music directed by Andrew Bryan. Due to its unique production, it is widely anticipated and the CMT is honored to be one of the first regional groups approved to present ''Les Misérables''.
Other regional productions of ''Les Misérables'' include the ''Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC)'' of Salt Lake City which was honored to be the first company to present a regional production. This production ran from April 27, 2007 to July 7, 2007 making it the longest running production in PTC's history. It was directed by PTC Artistic Director Charles Morey and brought both William Solo as Jean Valjean and Merwin Foard as Inspector Javert to the PTC re-enacting roles both men played previously on Broadway.
Another of these is unique in that it is the first staging of ''Les Misérables'' in an outdoor theatre. This production is playing at The Muny, the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre, which seats 12,000 people. The theatre is located in Saint Louis, MO. Directed by Fred Hanson, Les Miz will be the final production of the Muny's 89th season, playing August 6-15. Ivan Rutherford, who was a Valjean in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables, will reprise his role in the production. Kevin Kern and Diana Kaarina, who played Marius and Eponine in the closing cast of the original Broadway production, will also reprise their roles.

''Les Misérables'' Student Edition

After The King's Theatre, The King's School, in Sydney, Australia, gained rights in late 2000 from Cameron Mackintosh to perform the show, Musical Theatre International developed a school version, available only to productions with an entirely amateur cast aged under 19. Hundreds of schools worldwide have purchased the rights and staged performances, and it was the #1 bestselling play for high schools in the year 2006.
The Student Edition contains small cuts from the original show, mostly of a few bars and repeats, although some are more substantial. It is some 25 minutes shorter than the "official" version, although no critical scenes or songs have been removed. One or two changes may have been made for reasons of unsuitable language or sentiment (although the editors have not been squeamish about retaining the darker aspects of the drama such as the prostitution scenes or Bamatabois' abuse of Fantine) but most cuts have been made merely to shorten the show to a length manageable for young performers. A few subtle changes of vocal pitch have also been made for the same reason. "Stars" by Javert, "A Little Fall of Rain" by Eponine and Marius, and "Castle on a Cloud" lose a verse each. "Dog Eats Dog" by Thénardier is heavily truncated as well. In June 2007, the King's School (Australia) produced another "official edition" of Les Miserables with past students of the school (this was allowed as the show was produced by Braeside Music and Drama). The show opened on June 6th in conjunction with the 175th anniversary of the school, coinciding with the 175th anniversary of the Lamarque riots.

Film

Although numerous films of the ''Les Misérables'' story have been made, no adaptation of the musical has yet been produced. A film adaptation of the musical has been in development, on and off, since the late 1980s. Alan Parker was reported to be attached to the adaptation at an early stage.^[9] In 1992, Cameron Mackintosh announced that the movie would be directed by Bruce Beresford and co-produced by Tri-Star Pictures,^[10] but this project was abandoned some time later. After several years in development hell interest was renewed in late 2005,^[11] though as of early-2007 no concrete details have come to light.

Recordings

Several notable recordings of ''Les Miserables'' are available, including the "Complete Symphonic Recording". Recorded in 1988 and released in 1990, the Complete Symphonic Recording is to date the only English-language recording to feature the entire score. (The other being the Czech Revival Recording). Cameron Mackintosh's original plan was to use the Australian cast,^[12] but the scope was expanded to create an international cast featuring performers from the major performances of the musical around the world. The cast was recorded in three different places around the world.^[13]
The album, produced by David Caddick, won the Best Musical Cast Show Album Grammy Award in 1991. The cast includes Gary Morris as Valjean, Philip Quast as Javert, Debra Byrne as Fantine, Gay Soper as Mme. Thenardiér, Barry James as Thenardier, Kaho Shimada as Eponine, Michael Ball as Marius, Anthony Warlow as Enjolras, and Tracy Shayne as Cosette.

Awards and nominations

1985 Plays and Players London Theatre Critics' Awards

★ Best New Musical (nominations, 11 out of 23)

1987 Tony Awards

References in popular culture

★ "Master of the House" was featured as a subplot in an episode of ''Seinfeld''.

★ The ''Animaniacs' Rita and Runt, featuring Bernadette Peters, performed a spoof, Les Miseranimals, in Episode 11.

★ The creators of ''South Park'' also referenced ''Les Misérables'' as a reoccurring theme in their movie, ''. The reason for this is Trey Parker's liking for the show. One such reference is a medley entitled "La Resistance" which closely resembles "One Day More" parodies some of the production techniques of the 10th anniversary concert. Also, the death of The Mole, a French operative whose real name is Christophe, is reminiscent of "A Little Fall of Rain". Also, in an episode of the series, Cartman hires a professional actor to help them with the school play. The actor played Jean Valjean in the Denver Community Playhouse and as a result, many scenes involving him are highly reminiscent of Valjean's songs and scenes. In the episode "Cartman's Silly Hate Crime 2000" Cartman is sent to juvenile hall where his cell number is 24601, which is Jean Valjean's convict number.

★ It's referenced numerous times in ''Scrubs'', including a mixed parody of both "One Day More!" and "Do You Hear The People Sing?" in the musical episode My Musical. In another episode J.D. mentions that his portfolio contains an unopen pack of Les Mis trading cards.

★ In episode 1.12 of ''Dawson's Creek'', Joey Potter sings Eponine's famous "On My Own" for a talent show. This choice of song is symbolic, as Eponine is caught in a love triangle between Marius and Cosette, as Joey is (with Dawson Leery and Jen Lindley).

★ In both the novel American Psycho and its movie adaptation, Patrick Bateman notes that ''Les Misérables'' is a favorite musical of his; in the novel, he discusses it with his friends and ponders which cast recording is the best.

★ In an episode of ''The Simpsons'', Sideshow Bob's Prisoner Number is shown as 24601: the same number which Jean Valjean has attached to him by Javert.

References

1. BBC
2. Elaine Page
3. Facts and Figures from LesMis.com
4. webtools.klapp.no
5. mdbchina.com
6. telegraaf.nl
7. musicals.nl
8. castalbumdb.com
9. ew.com
10. LesMis.com
11. ContactMusic.com
12. angelfire.com
13. "Les Misérables [Relativity Complete Symphonic Recording]." Popular Albums. All Media Guide, 2006. Answers.com 24 March 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/les-miserables-relativity-complete-symphonic-recording

External links

★

★ Cameron Mackintosh: Les Misérables (Worldwide)

★ Cameron Mackintosh: Les Misérables (Broadway)

★ An Archive of Performers from the Original Broadway Run of Les Mis

★ The barricade on the Rue de la Chanvrerie: A tribute to Les Miserables
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