| Les Misérables | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Music | Claude-Michel Schönberg |
| Lyrics | Herbert Kretzmer |
| Original text |
|
| Book |
|
| Basis | Les Misérables byVictor Hugo |
| Premiere | 24 September 1980:Palais des Sports, Paris |
| Productions | Multiple international productions |
| Awards | |
Les Misérables (/leɪˌmɪzəˈrɑːb(əl),-blə/layMIZ-ə-RAHB(-əl), -RAH-blə,French:[lemizeʁabl]), colloquially known asLes Mis orLes Miz (/leɪˈmɪz/layMIZ), is asung-throughmusical with music byClaude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics byAlain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, and a book by Boublil and Schönberg, based on the 1862 novelof the same name byVictor Hugo. Set in early19th-century France,Les Misérables tells the story ofJean Valjean, a French peasant, and his desire for redemption. After stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's starving child, Valjean is imprisoned for 19 years and released in 1815. When a bishop inspires him with a tremendous act of mercy, Valjean breaks his parole and starts his life anew and in disguise. He becomes wealthy and adopts an orphan, Cosette. A police inspector namedJavert pursues Valjean over the decades in a single-minded quest for "justice". The characters are swept into arevolutionary period in France, where a group ofyoung idealists attempts to overthrow the government at a street barricade in Paris.
The French musical premiered in Paris in 1980 with direction byRobert Hossein. Its English-language adaptation byTrevor Nunn andJohn Caird, with lyrics byHerbert Kretzmer, has been running in London since October 1985, making it thelongest-running musical in theWest End and the second longest-running musical in the world after the originaloff-Broadway run ofThe Fantasticks. Many other long-running productions followed onBroadway and around the world, and afilm adaptation was released in 2012.
Alain Boublil's initial idea to adapt Victor Hugo's novel into a musical came while at a performance of the musicalOliver! in London:
As soon as theArtful Dodger came onstage, Gavroche came to mind. It was like a blow to the solar plexus. I started seeing all the characters of Victor Hugo'sLes Misérables—Valjean, Javert, Gavroche, Cosette, Marius, and Éponine—in my mind's eye, laughing, crying, and singing onstage.[1]
He shared the idea with French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg, and the two developed a rough synopsis and analysis of each character's mental and emotional state, as well as that of an audience. Schönberg then began work on the music, while Boublil started writing the text. According to Boublil, "I [began] work on the words ... after myself deciding on the subject and title of every song—in collaboration with my friend, poet Jean-Marc Natel."[2] Two years later, a two-hour demo tape of Schönberg accompanying himself on the piano and singing every role was completed. An album of this collaboration was recorded at CTS Studios in Wembley and was released in 1980, selling 260,000 copies.[citation needed]
TheLes Misérablesconcept album was released in French in 1980[3]. It starredMaurice Barrier as Jean Valjean, with Jacques Mercier as Javert,Rose Laurens as Fantine, Yvan Dautin and Marie-France Roussel as the Thénardiers, Richard Dewitte as Marius, Fabienne Guyon as Cosette,Marie-France Dufour as Éponine,Michel Sardou as Enjolras, Schönberg asCourfeyrac andSalvatore Adamo asCombeferre,[citation needed]. The first stage adaptation was presented at thePalais des Sports in September of that year with many of the same cast, including Barrier, Laurens, Dautin, Roussel, and Guyon;Jean Vallée played Javert.[4]
In 1983, about six months after producerCameron Mackintosh had openedCats onBroadway, he received a copy of the French concept album from director Peter Farago. Farago had asked Mackintosh to produce an English-language version of the show. Initially reluctant, Mackintosh eventually agreed.[citation needed] In conjunction with theRoyal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Mackintosh assembled a production team to adapt the French musical for a British audience. After two years in development, the English-language version, translated byHerbert Kretzmer (lyrics) and Siobhan Bracke (book), and expanded with additional material byJames Fenton, opened in London in October 1985 at theBarbican Centre, then the London home of the RSC, before transferring to theWest End.[5]
Critical reviews forLes Misérables were initially negative. At the opening of the London production,The Sunday Telegraph's Francis King described the musical as "a lurid Victorian melodrama produced with Victorian lavishness", and Michael Ratcliffe ofThe Observer considered the show "a witless and synthetic entertainment", while literary scholars condemned the project for converting classic literature into a musical.[6][7]Irving Wardle ofThe Times, however, thought the musical's book was a bold and ingenious abridgement of Hugo's plot.[8] Public opinion differed: the box office received record orders. The three-month engagement sold out, and reviews improved. The London production has played over 15,000 performances, making it the second longest-running musical in the world afterThe Fantasticks,[9] the second longest-running West End show afterThe Mousetrap,[10] and the longest-running musical in the West End.[11] On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in London: the original production at the Queen's Theatre; the 25th Anniversary touring production at the Barbican Centre; and a concert at London'sO2 Arena.[11]
The first Broadway production opened on 12 March 1987 and ran until 18 May 2003, closing after 6,680 performances. At the time of its closing, it was the second-longest-running musical in Broadway history.[12] As of 2022, it remains thesixth longest-running Broadway show.[13] The show was nominated for 12Tony Awards, of which it won eight, includingBest Musical andBest Original Score.
Subsequently, numerous tours and international and regional productions have been staged, as well as concert and broadcast productions. Several recordings have also been made. Broadway revivals played from 2006 to 2008 and 2014 to 2016. The show placed first in aBBC Radio 2 listener poll of Britain's "Number One Essential Musicals" in 2005, receiving more than forty percent of the votes.[14] Afilm version directed byTom Hooper was released at in 2012 to generally positive reviews; it won threeAcademy Awards and was nominated for five more, includingBest Picture.[15]
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The musical's emblem is a picture of thewaifCosette sweeping the Thénardiers' inn (which occurs in the musical during "Castle on a Cloud"). It is usually cropped to a head-and-shoulders portrait, superimposed on the French flag. The image is based on an etching byGustave Brion, which in turn was based on the drawing byÉmile Bayard. Bayard's drawing appeared in several of the novel's earliest French-language editions.[citation needed]
In 1815 France,Jean Valjean, "Prisoner 24601", is released on parole by guardJavert after 19 years hard labor in prison for stealing bread ("Work Song (Look Down)"). Marked by his yellowticket of leave ("On Parole"), Valjean is shunned and cannot find decent work until the Bishop ofDigne offers him shelter. Valjean steals the Bishop's silver, but the Bishop pretends to have given it to him and also gives him a pair of silver candlesticks ("Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven"). Valjean vows to start an honest life ("Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)"). He tears up his ticket, breaking parole.
By 1823, Valjean is living disguised as Monsieur Madeleine, a factory owner and the mayor ofMontreuil-sur-Mer.Fantine, a single mother working at Valjean's factory, is fired after a disagreement with the lustful foreman and sinks into poverty ("At the End of the Day"; "I Dreamed a Dream"), selling her locket and hair, and becoming a prostitute ("Lovely Ladies"). When she fights back against an abusive customer, Javert, now a police inspector, arrests her. Valjean intervenes and takes her to a hospital ("Fantine's Arrest").
When Valjean rescues a man pinned by a runaway cart, Javert, who has pursued him over the years, suspects his true identity. Learning an innocent man is about to be jailed in his place, Valjean confesses ("Who Am I?"). At the hospital, Fantine dies after Valjean promises to rescue her daughterCosette from the thievingThénardiers, innkeepers who are paid to raise her ("Fantine's Death (Come to Me)"). Valjean escapes Javert ("The Confrontation"). InMontfermeil, the Thénardiers use Cosette as a servant, treating her cruelly, while extorting money from Fantine ("Castle on a Cloud"; "Master of the House"). Valjean pays them 1,500 francs to release Cosette ("The Bargain") and takes her to Paris ("The Waltz of Treachery").
In 1832 Paris, unrest grows with the impending death of the mercifulGeneral Lamarque. Student revolutionariesMarius Pontmercy andEnjolras prepare for an uprising. The Thénardiers, who have lost their inn and now lead a gang of street criminals, plot scams. Éponine befriends the streetwise urchinGavroche ("Look Down"). She secretly loves Marius, but he falls instantly for Cosette when he meets her with Valjean, whom the Thénardiers attempt to rob ("The Robbery"). Valjean is recognized, but he and Cosette escape; Javert vows to recapture him ("Stars"). Marius persuades Éponine to help him find Cosette ("Éponine’s Errand").
As Enjolras rallies the students ("The ABC Café/Red and Black"), Marius pines for Cosette. News of Lamarque’s death sparks plans for revolution ("Do You Hear the People Sing?"). Cosette confronts Valjean about his secrets ("In My Life"). Éponine finds Cosette, and Marius and Cosette confess their love ("A Heart Full of Love"). Thénardier and his gang arrive to rob Valjean's house but are foiled by Éponine’s warning ("The Attack on Rue Plumet"). Believing Javert has found him, Valjean plans to flee with Cosette. On the eve of the1832 Paris Uprising, Enjolras exhorts all of Paris to join the revolution. Éponine acknowledges in anguish that Marius will never love her. Javert plans to spy on, while the students and rebels steel themselves for battle ("One Day More").
The students build a barricade; Marius discovers that Éponine has disguised herself as a boy to join the rebels ("Building the Barricade"). To keep her safe, he sends her to deliver a farewell letter to Cosette ("On My Own"). Valjean intercepts the letter and learns about Marius and Cosette's romance. The French army arrives, demanding surrender ("At the Barricade"). Javert, disguised as a rebel, is exposed as a spy by young Gavroche ("Little People"). Wounded during the fighting, Éponine dies in Marius’s arms, confessing her love ("A Little Fall of Rain (Eponine's Death)").
Valjean arrives disguised as a soldier, hoping to protect Marius ("Night of Anguish"). He saves Enjolras from a soldier. Valjean releases Javert instead of executing him, shaking Javert’s rigid view of God and justice ("The First Attack"). As dawn approaches, the students prepare for attack ("Drink with Me"). Valjean prays for Marius's safety, offering God his own life ("Bring Him Home"). Enjolras realizes the people of Paris have not risen up but resolves to fight on ("Dawn of Anguish"). The army attacks; Gavroche is killed ("The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche)"), and all the students but Marius die. Valjean carries a gravely wounded Marius through the sewers and collapses ("The Final Battle"). Thénardier, looting bodies, comes upon the unconscious Valjean and Marius, taking a ring from the latter and fleeing ("Dog Eats Dog"). At the sewer's exit, Valjean finds Javert waiting; he begs Javert for time to bring Marius to a doctor. Javert, unable to reconcile Valjean’s mercy with his worldview, kills himself ("Javert’s Suicide").
Paris mourns the fallen students ("Turning"). Marius grieves his friends and wonders who saved him ("Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"). Valjean blesses Marius and Cosette’s marriage ("Every Day") but tells Marius he is an escaped convict and must leave to protect Cosette ("Valjean’s Confession"). At their wedding ("Wedding Chorale"), the Thénardiers attempt to blackmail Marius, who realizes Valjean carried him from the barricades ("Beggars at the Feast"). Marius and Cosette rush to find Valjean.
At a convent, Valjean awaits death. Fantine’s spirit assures him of forgiveness. Cosette and Marius arrive in time to bid farewell. Valjean thanks God for seeing Cosette grown and happy ("Valjean’s Death"). He entrusts her with his past and tells her the truth about her mother. Guided by the spirits of Fantine and Éponine, who remind him that "to love another person is to see the face of God", he dies at peace, joining the souls of the fallen in a hopeful vision of freedom ("Do You Hear the People Sing?" (reprise)").[16]
| This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(January 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
After the Frenchconcept album was released in 1980, in September of that year, a stage version directed by veteran French film directorRobert Hossein was produced at the Palais des Sports in Paris. The show was a success, with 100 performances seen by over 500,000 people.[26][27][28]
Most of the cast from the concept album performed in the production.[26][29] The cast included Maurice Barrier as Valjean,Jean Vallée as Javert,Rose Laurens as Fantine, Maryse Cédolin and Sylvie Camacho and Priscilla Patron as Young Cosette, Marie-France Roussel as Mme. Thénardier, Yvan Dautin as M. Thénardier, Florence Davis and Fabrice Ploquin and Cyrille Dupont as Gavroche, Marianne Mille as Éponine, Gilles Buhlmann as Marius, Christian Ratellin as Enjolras, Fabienne Guyon as Cosette,René-Louis Baron as Combeferre, Dominique Tirmont as M. Gillenormand, Anne Forrez as Mlle. Gillenormand, and Claude Reva as the storyteller.[26][29][30][31]
The English-language version, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and additional material byJames 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 background story. Kretzmer's lyrics are not a direct translation of the French, a term that Kretzmer refused 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 new material. The majority is performed in recitative style; the vocalists use natural speech, not musical metrics.[32]
The first production in English, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and adapted and directed byTrevor Nunn andJohn Caird, played in preview performances beginning on 28 September 1985 and formally opened on 8 October 1985 at theBarbican Centre, London. It was billed in the programme as "TheRoyal Shakespeare Company presentation of the RSC/Cameron Mackintosh production". The set was designed byJohn Napier, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and lighting byDavid Hersey. Musical supervision and orchestrations were byJohn Cameron, who had been involved with the show since Boublil and Schönberg hired him to orchestrate the original French concept album. Musical staging was by Kate Flatt with musical direction byMartin Koch.
The original London cast includedColm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean,Roger Allam as Javert, Ken Caswell as the Bishop of Digne,Patti LuPone as Fantine, Zoë Hart, Justine McIntyre, Jayne O'Mahony and Joanne Woodcock as Young Cosette, Danielle Akers, Gillian Brander and Juliette Caton as Young Éponine,Susan Jane Tanner as Madame Thénardier,Alun Armstrong as Thénardier,Frances Ruffelle as Éponine,Rebecca Caine as Cosette,Michael Ball as Marius,David Burt as Enjolras,Clive Carter as Grantaire/Bamatabois, with Ian Tucker, Oliver Spencer and Liza Hayden sharing the role of Gavroche.[33][34][5]
On 4 December 1985, the show transferred to thePalace Theatre, London and moved again on 3 April 2004, to the smaller Queen's Theatre, now called theSondheim Theatre, with some revisions of staging.[35] The show celebrated its 10,000th performance on 5 January 2010,[36] and its 30th anniversary in October 2015.[37] The co-production has generated valuable income for the Royal Shakespeare Company.[38]
The show closed temporarily at the Queen's Theatre on 13 July 2019 to allow for theatre refurbishments, whileLes Misérables: The Staged Concert was performed at the adjacentGielgud Theatre for a four-month run.[39][40]
Using the updated staging developed for the 2009–2010 UK touring production, the musical began previews at the newly renamed Sondheim Theatre on 18 December 2019, with opening night on 16 January 2020.[39][41] The production is co-directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor with set and image design by Matt Kinley, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowlands. The first cast for this version includedJon Robyns (Valjean),Bradley Jaden (Javert),Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine),Shan Ako (Éponine), Lily Kerhoas (Cosette), Harry Apps (Marius), Gerard Carey (Thénardier),Josefina Gabrielle (Madame Thénardier) and Ashley Gilmour (Enjolras).[42]
The show was forced to close temporarily from 16 March 2020, as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[43] It reopened on 25 September 2021.[44] Considered one continuous production despite revisions,Les Misérables celebrated its 15,000th performance in London on 28 September 2023.[45] A gala performance on 8 October 2025 marked the 40th anniversary, featuring an all-star cast.[46]
The musical opened as a pre-Broadway tryout at theKennedy Center's Opera House in Washington, D.C., on 27 December 1986. It ran for eight weeks through 14 February 1987.[47]
The musical then premiered on Broadway on 12 March 1987 atThe Broadway Theatre. Wilkinson and Ruffelle reprised their roles from the London production.[17] The $4.5 million production had a more than $4 million advance sale prior to its New York opening.[48]
The show underwent further tightening, namely with improved sewer lighting and the incorporation of the Javert suicide scene effect.[49] ANew York Times report consisted of the following: "The transfer from London to the United States has prompted further modifications. 'We are taking this opportunity to rethink and perfect, to rewrite some details which probably no one else will see, but which for us are still long nights of work,' Mr. Boublil says. 'There are things that nobody had time to do in London, and here we have a wonderful opportunity to fix a few things. No one will notice, perhaps, but for us, it will make us so happy if we can better this show. We would like this to be the final version.'"[48] Two songs were deleted—the complete version of Gavroche's song "Little People" and the adult Cosette's "I Saw Him Once". A short section at the beginning of "In My Life" replaced "I Saw Him Once". The lyrics in Javert's "Stars" were changed. It now ended with the line, "This I swear by the stars!", while the London production and cast recording ended with the repeated line, "Keeping watch in the night".
The original Broadway cast included Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, David Bryant as Marius,Judy Kuhn as Cosette,Michael Maguire as Enjolras,Frances Ruffelle as Éponine,Braden Danner as Gavroche,Donna Vivino as Young Cosette, Jennifer Butt as Madame Thénardier,Leo Burmester as Thénardier,Randy Graff as Fantine,Terrence Mann as Javert, and Chrissie McDonald as Young Éponine.[17]
Other members of the original Broadway cast includedAnthony Crivello (Grantaire/Bamatabois), Kevin Marcum (Brujon), John Dewar (Joly), Paul Harman (Combeferre/Foreman), Joseph Kolinski (Feuilly), Alex Santoriello (Montparnasse/Labourer),Jesse Corti (Courfeyrac/Farmer), Susan Goodman (Old Woman/Innkeeper's Wife), John Norman (Prouvaire/Pimp), Norman Large (Bishop/Lesgles),Marcus Lovett (Babet/Constable), Cindy Benson (Old Woman), Steve Shocket (Claquesous/Fauchevelant/Constable/Pimp), Marcie Shaw, Jane Bodle, Joanna Glushak,Ann Crumb (Factory Girl), Kelli James, and Gretchen Kingsley-Weihe. Michael Hinton was the original drummer and credited on the cast album.[17]
The musical ran atthe Broadway Theatre through 10 October 1990, when it moved to theImperial Theatre.[17] It was scheduled to close on 15 March 2003, but the closing was postponed by a surge in public interest.[50] According to an article inThe Scotsman, "Sales picked up last October, when Sir Cameron made the announcement that the show would be closing on March 15th... its closure postponed to May 18th because of an unexpected increase in business."[51] After 6,680 performances in sixteen years,[51] when it closed on 18 May 2003,[17] it was the second-longest-running Broadway musical afterCats.[52] It was surpassed byThe Phantom of the Opera in 2006.[53]
This Broadway production ofLes Misérables and its advertising in New York City is a recurring theme inAmerican Psycho. The reviewer for theFinancial Times wrote thatLes Misérables is "the book's hilarious main cultural compass-point".[54]
A production opened in Australia at theTheatre Royal, Sydney on 27 November 1987. The cast featuredNormie Rowe as Valjean,Philip Quast as Javert,Anthony Warlow as Enjolras,Debra Byrne as Fantine,Simon Burke as Marius,Marina Prior as Cosette, Jodie Gillies as Eponine, Barry Langrish as Thénardier, and Robyn Arthur as Madame Thénardier.Rob Guest later took over the role of Valjean. The production closed on 17 August 1991.[55]
The first Canadian production ofLes Misérables began performances at theRoyal Alexandra Theatre on 15 March 1989. The cast was headed by Michael Burgess as Jean Valjean, with Thomas Goerz as Javert and Louise Pitre as Fantine. After 14 months, the production toured other Canadian cities, including Vancouver, before returning to Toronto where it played another year, before finally closing on 5 July 1992.
Only three years after the original run closed,Les Misérables began a return to Broadway on 9 November 2006 at theBroadhurst Theatre for a limited run that was subsequently made open-ended.
Using the set, costumes, performers, and other resources from the recently finished third US national touring production, the production was only slightly altered. Minor changes included colourful projections blended into its existing lighting design, and aproscenium that extended out into the first two boxes on either side of the stage.
Some cuts made to the show's prologue during its original Broadway run were restored, lyrics for Gavroche's death scene (known in the revival as "Ten Little Bullets") cut during the development of the original London production were restored, and much of the show was re-orchestrated by Christopher Jahnke, introducing a snare and timpani-heavy sound played by a 14-member band, a reduction of about 8 musicians from the original production's 22 musician orchestration.[citation needed]
The original 2006 Broadway revival cast includedAlexander Gemignani as Jean Valjean,Norm Lewis as Javert,Daphne Rubin-Vega as Fantine,Celia Keenan-Bolger as Éponine,Aaron Lazar as Enjolras, Adam Jacobs as Marius,Ali Ewoldt as Cosette,Gary Beach as Thénardier,Jenny Galloway as Madame Thénardier,Drew Sarich as Grantaire, Brian D'Addario, Jacob Levine, Skye Rainforth and Austyn Myers as Gavroche, and Tess Adams, Kylie Liya Goldstein andCarly Rose Sonenclar as Young Cosette/Young Éponine.[56]
The revival closed on 6 January 2008 after 17 previews and 463 performances.[57]
A production starring CanadianRamin Karimloo was mounted at thePrincess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. Co-directed by Lawrence Connor and James Powell,[58] the production was based on the 2009 UK touring production.[59] Previews began on 27 September 2013 with the opening night on 9 October. Preparatory to a Broadway transfer, Toronto performances ended on 2 February 2014.[60][61][62][63] In addition to Karimloo as Jean Valjean, Carpenter reprised the role of Javert.[64] Other cast members included Genevieve Leclerc as Fantine,Samantha Hill as Cosette,Melissa O'Neil as Éponine, Perry Sherman as Marius, Cliff Saunders as Monsieur Thénardier, Lisa Horner as Madame Thénardier, and Mark Uhre as Enjolras.[65] The roles of young Cosette and young Éponine were shared byElla Ballentine,Saara Chaudry and Madison Oldroyd. Gavroche was shared by David Gregory Black and Aiden GlennRead.[66] Colm Wilkinson, who originated the role of Jean Valjean, portrayed the Bishop of Digne in a one-day performance symbolically handing the torch (along with the candlesticks) to Karimloo.[67][68]
.jpg)
The 2013 Toronto production moved to Broadway in March 2014 with previews beginning 1 March 2014 at theImperial Theatre and an official opening on 23 March 2014.[69][70] The creative team again was directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, with set design by Matt Kinley, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowlands, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and projections by Fifty-Nine Productions. Cameron Mackintosh once again produced the show. On 22 October 2013, it was announced thatRamin Karimloo,Will Swenson,Caissie Levy, andNikki M. James would be headlining the revival cast as Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Éponine respectively.[71]Andy Mientus andSamantha Hill also starred as Marius and Cosette respectively.[72][73] Angeli Negron and McKayla Twiggs share the role of Young Cosette.[74] The production closed on 4 September 2016, after 1,026 performances over two-and-a-half years.[75] The revival recouped its entire initial investment and grossed $109 million.[76]
The 2014 Broadway revival was nominated for 3 Tony Awards:Best Revival of a Musical,Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Karimloo, andBest Sound Design for Potter.
The show had three national touring companies of the original Broadway production in the US, all of which shared the Broadway producer and manager, creative teams, as well nearly identical sets, costumes, and lighting. While the touring production and the New York production were running simultaneously, the staff, cast members, crew, and musicians of the two productions interchanged often, which contributed to keeping both companies of the show in form. When the New York production closed in 2003, the Third National Tour continued for another three years, and enjoyed the influx of many members from the original and subsequent New York companies.
The First National Tour opened at Boston's Shubert Theatre on 12 December 1987, and continued to play major cities until late 1991. The Second National Tour (called "The Fantine Company") opened at Los Angeles' Shubert Theatre on 1 June 1988. The production played for fourteen months then transferred to San Francisco's Curran Theatre where it enjoyed a similar run. The Third National Tour ofLes Misérables (called "The Marius Company") was one of the longest running American touring musical productions. Opening on 28 November 1988, at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Florida, and closing on 23 July 2006, at theFox Theatre inSt. Louis, Missouri,[77] the tour ran for seventeen years and 7,061 performances. The tour played in 145 cities in 43 states. The same touring company also frequently performed in Canada, made a 1994 diversion to Singapore, and another diversion in 2002 to be the first Western musical production to visit China, opening in Shanghai's Grand Theatre for a three-week engagement.
All US productions (including Broadway and its revival) were visually identical in scale and design but the third national tour was notable for its portability without sacrificing the Broadway-caliber experience. Thanks to innovative touring techniques borrowed from the pop/rock concert industry, the 4.5 million dollar production was adaptable to smaller and larger venues and traveled complete in all of 8 semi tractor trailers. It was set up and ready to go in less than 24 hours and broken down and packed up in about 16 hours. This allowed it to reach many cities and venues in its acclaimed, original Broadway form.
A new national tour began on 21 September 2017 at the Providence Performing Arts Centre (PPAC). It starred Nick Cartell as Valjean, Josh Davis as Javert, Melissa Mitchell as Fantine, J. Anthony Crane as Thénardier, Allison Guinn as Madame Thénardier, Joshua Grosso as Marius, Phoenix Best as Éponine, Matt Shingledecker as Enjolras and Jillian Butler as Cosette. The roles of young Cosette and Éponine were shared by Zoe Glick and Sophie Knapp, while the role of Gavroche was shared by Jordan Cole and Julian Lerner. It uses much of the staging and technical work of the 2014 Broadway revival.[78]
Another tour launched on 7 October 2022 at the State Theatre,Cleveland, with Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean, Preston Truman Boyd as Javert, Haley Dortch as Fantine, Matt Crowle as Thénardier, Christina Rose Hall as Madame Thénardier, Addie Morales as Cosette, Gregory Lee Rodriguez as Marius, Christine Heesun Hwang as Éponine, Devin Archer as Enjolras, and Randy Jeter as Bishop of Digne.[79] This tour has grown to a North American tour.[80]
The first tour of the UK and Ireland opened at thePalace Theatre, Manchester 14 April 1992[81] with Jeff Leyton (Jean Valjean),Philip Quast (Javert),[82] Ria Jones (Fantine),Meredith Braun (Éponine), Mike Sterling (Marius),[82] Tony Timberlake (Thénardier), Louise Plowright (Mdme Thénardier), Sarah Ryan (Cosette) and Daniel Coll (Enjolras).[83][84] The production then moved on to thePoint Theatre, Dublin, Ireland, opening 30 June 1993,[85] and then toPlayhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, opening 23 September 1993.[86]
In 1997 a second tour began at theTheatre Royal, Plymouth, running from 6 May until 14 June,[87] the cast featured: Stig Rossen (Jean Valjean), Michael McCarthy (Javert), Julia Worsley (Fantine), Gemma Sandy (Éponine), Norman Bowman (Marius),Cameron Blakely (Thénardier), Cathy Breeze (Mdme Thénardier), Rebecca Vere (Cosette) and Mark O'Malley (Enjolras).[88] The tour then continued as detailed in the table below:
| Venue | Date | Cast details |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Hippodrome | 19 June 1997 to 4 October 1997[89] | The cast remained unchanged from the Plymouth run of the show[90] |
| Opera House, Manchester | 9 October 1997 to 20 December 1997[91] | Peter Corry later played Javert[92] |
| Bristol Hippodrome | 29 December 1997 to 28 March 1998[93] | |
| Mayflower Theatre, Southampton | 1 April 1998 to 6 June 1998[94] | |
| Alhambra Theatre, Bradford | 25 June 1998 to 5 September 1998[95] | John Owen-Jones (Jean Valjean) left the cast two weeks before the end of the show's run at the Alhambra[96] |
| Edinburgh Playhouse | 16 September 1998 to 12 December 1998[97] | Jeff Leyton (Jean Valjean), Peter Corry (Javert), Carmen Cusack (Fantine) and Alex Sharpe (Éponine)[98] |
| Liverpool Empire Theatre | 16 December 1998 to 20 February 1999[99] | |
| Point Theatre, Dublin | 25 February 1999 to 29 May 1999[100] | Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean), Michael McCarthy (Javert), Carmen Cusack (Fantine), Alex Sharpe (Éponine), Matt Rawle (Marius), John Kavanagh (Thénardier), Anita Reeves (Mdme Thénardier), Poppy Tierney (Cosette) and David Bardsley (Enjolras)[101] |
| Sheffield Arena | 21 May 1999 to 19 June 1999[102] | |
| Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham | 2 July 1999 to 9 October 1999[103] | |
| Telewask Arena, Newcastle | 15 October 1999 to 13 November 1999[104] | Jeff Leyton (Jean Valjean), Martin Fisher (Javert), Ria Jones (Fantine), Alex Sharpe (Éponine), Adrian Lewis-Morgan (Marius), Jimmy Johnson (Thénardier), Cathy Breeze (Madame Thénardier), Amanda Leigh-Smith (Cosette) and Loren Greeting (Enjolras)[105] |
| Bristol Hippodrome | 17 November 1999 to 29 January 2000[106] | |
| Palace Theatre, Manchester | 2 February 2000 to 25 March 2000[107] |
A tour to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the show began performances on 12 December 2009, at theWales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Differences from the original production included a new set, new costumes, new direction and alterations to the original orchestrations. The scenery was inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. Locations have includedManchester,Norwich,Birmingham, andEdinburgh. The tour also played a special engagement in Paris. From September through October, the show returned to theBarbican Centre, London, site of the original 1985 production. The tour cast featuredJohn Owen-Jones as Valjean,Earl Carpenter as Javert,Gareth Gates as Marius, Ashley Artus as Thénardier, Lynne Wilmot as Madame Thénardier,Madalena Alberto as Fantine, Rosalind James as Éponine,Jon Robyns as Enjolras andKatie Hall as Cosette (with Samara Clarke as Young Cosette). The tour ended on 2 October 2010, at the Barbican Theatre.[108][109][110]
In the fall of 2010, the tour moved to the US with a new company presented byBroadway Across America to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show opening on Broadway. The tour opened on 19 November 2010 at thePaper Mill Playhouse inMillburn, New Jersey, starring Lawrence Clayton as Valjean, Andrew Varela as Javert, Betsy Morgan as Fantine, Jenny Latimer as Cosette, Justin Scott Brown as Marius, Chasten Harmon as Éponine, Michael Kostroff as Thénardier and Shawna Hamic as Madame Thénardier. It ran until 11 August 2013, closing at theSmith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. The tour's final cast included Peter Lockyer as Valjean, Varela as Javert, Genevieve Leclerc as Fantine, Lauren Wiley as Cosette, Devin Ilaw as Marius, Briana Carlson-Goodman as Éponine, Timothy Gulan as Thénardier, Shawna Hamic as Madame Thénardier,Jason Forbach as Enjolras,Ava Della Pietra and Erin Cearlock alternating as Little Cosette and Young Éponine.[111][112] In 2011 it was reported that the tour was one of six US national tours grossing over $1,000,000 per week.[113]
A UK and Ireland tour similar to the 25th anniversary production began at theCurve, Leicester on 3 November 2018, starringKillian Donnelly (Jean Valjean), Nic Greenshields (Javert),Katie Hall (Fantine), Tegan Bannister (Éponine), Bronwen Hanson (Cosette), Harry Apps (Marius),Martin Ball (Thénardier),Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Thénardier) and Will Richardson (Enjolras).[114]
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour resumed performances on 23 November 2021 at theTheatre Royal, Glasgow.[115]
In mid-2013, a new Australian tour was announced, withSimon Gleeson as Valjean,Hayden Tee as Javert,Patrice Tipoki as Fantine,Trevor Ashley and Lara Mulcahy as the Thénardiers,Kerrie Anne Greenland as Éponine, Emily Langridge as Cosette, Euan Doidge as Marius and Chris Durling as Enjolras and Nicholas Cradock as Gavroche.[116] The production opened on 4 July atHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.[117] Additional stops for the Australian tour included the Crown Theatre inPerth,[118] theCapitol Theatre inSydney,[119] and the Lyric Theatre QPAC inBrisbane.[120] The Australian revival production transferred toManila,Philippines in March 2016, becoming an international tour.[121]
The Australian tour continued with an international tour beginning inManila, Philippines, at the Theatre atSolaire from March 2016 until 1 May 2016, and proceeded to theEsplanade Theatre in Singapore from May 2016.[121][122] It then played at theDubai Opera inDubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 2016.[123]
The Manila and Singapore productions featured Gleeson as Valjean,Earl Carpenter as Javert, Helen Walsh as Madame Thénardier,Cameron Blakely as Thénardier, Kerrie Anne Greenland as Éponine, Emily Langridge as Cosette, Chris Durling as Enjolras, and Paul Wilkins as Marius.[124]Rachelle Ann Go played the role of Fantine in the Manila production, and Tipoki reprised the role in Singapore. The Dubai production featured Owen-Jones as Valjean, Tee as Javert, Tipoki as Fantine,Peter Polycarpou as Thénardier,Jodie Prenger as Madame Thénardier, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Éponine,Alistair Brammer as Enjolras, Emily Langridge as Cosette, and Paul Wilkins as Marius.[125]
On 8 October 1995, the show celebrated the tenth anniversary of theWest End production with a concert at theRoyal Albert Hall. This 10th Anniversary Concert was nearly "complete", missing only a handful of scenes, including "The Death of Gavroche", "The Robbery" and the confrontation between Marius and the Thénardiers at the wedding feast. Sir Cameron Mackintosh hand-selected the cast, which became known as theLes Misérables Dream Cast, assembled from around the world, and engaged theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert concluded withseventeen Valjeans from various international productions singing, "Do You Hear the People Sing?" in their native languages. The concert cast includedColm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean,Philip Quast as Javert, Paul Monaghan as the Bishop of Digne,Ruthie Henshall as Fantine, Hannah Chick as Young Cosette,Jenny Galloway as Madame Thénardier,Alun Armstrong as Thénardier,Adam Searles as Gavroche,Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Ball as Marius,Judy Kuhn as Cosette,Lea Salonga as Éponine, andAnthony Crivello as Grantaire. The concert was staged by Ken Caswell and conducted byDavid Charles Abell.
The 25th Anniversary Concert of theWest End production was held atThe O2 inNorth Greenwich, South East London, United Kingdom, on Sunday, 3 October 2010 at 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm. It featuredAlfie Boe as Jean Valjean,Norm Lewis as Javert,Lea Salonga as Fantine,Nick Jonas as Marius,Katie Hall as Cosette,Jenny Galloway as Madame Thénardier,Ramin Karimloo as Enjolras,Samantha Barks as Éponine,Matt Lucas as Thénardier,Mia Jenkins as Young Cosette,Rob Madge as Gavroche,Hadley Fraser as Grantaire,Earl Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne, andCameron Blakely as Bamatabois. Casts of the current London, international tour, original 1985 London, and several school productions took part, comprising an ensemble of three hundred performers and musicians. The concert was directed by Laurence Connor & James Powell and conducted byDavid Charles Abell.[126][127]
From 10 August to 2 December 2019, the musical was performed as a staged concert version at theGielgud Theatre in the West End during the refurbishment of the adjacentSondheim Theatre. Featuring a cast and orchestra of over 65, it starred Ball (Javert), Boe as (Valjean; Owen-Jones at some performances), Fletcher (Fantine), Lucas and Katy Secombe (Thénardiers) Rob Houchen (Marius), Jaden (Enjolras), Ako (Éponine), Kerhoas (Cosette), and Carpenter (Bamatabois).Simon Bowman played the Bishop of Digne for eight days after which Carpenter took over the role alongside his other two parts. The final concert was filmed and broadcast live to cinemas on 2 December and has since been released on home video and as an album.[128] The concert returned for a run at the Sondheim Theatre from 5 December 2020.[129][130] Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the audience weresocially distanced and capacity was limited to 50%. Underlocal COVID restrictions, the show was suspended on 16 December 2020 after 10 performances (Boe played Valjean for eight, and Owen-Jones twice). It reopened on 20 May 2021 and ran until 5 September with Robyns as Valjean, Jaden as Javert,Lucie Jones as Fantine, Carey and Gabrielle as the Thénardiers, Ako as Éponine, Apps as Marius,Jamie Muscato as Enjolras, Charlie Burn as Cosette, Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne, Blakely as Bamatabois/Babet, and at certain performances Dean Chisnall as Valjean.[44]
A concert production began a world tour on 19 September 2024, starting inBelfast, Northern Ireland.[131] The tour utilizes guest performers at some stops.[132] Boe andKillian Donnelly share the role of Valjean, and Ball and Jaden share the role of Javert.[133] Jöback reprised the role of Valjean at the Sweden performances.[citation needed] Also in the cast are Hall and Channah Hewitt as Fantine,Gavin Lee and Lucas as Thénardier,Bonnie Langford andLinzi Hateley as Madame Thénardier,Jac Yarrow as Marius, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette, James D. Gish as Enjolras, Connor Jones and Raymond Walsh as Grantaire,Jeremy Secomb andTommy Körberg as the Bishop of Digne, and Emily Bautista,Nathania Ong and Aviva Tulley as Éponine.[134][135] Reviews of the production have been favourable.[136]
The show has been produced in at least 42 countries and translated into at least 23 languages: English, French (re-translated from the English version), Croatian (three versions),[137][138] German (Austria and Germany), Spanish (six versions: two from Spain, two from Mexico, one from Argentina, and one from Venezuela), Japanese, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk), Polish, Swedish (in Sweden and in Finland), Dutch (Netherlands and Belgium), Danish, Finnish, Brazilian Portuguese, Estonian, Czech, Mauritian Creole, Basque, Catalan and Korean. Including singles and promos, there have been over seventy official recordings from worldwide productions.[139]
The first full production in the European mainland was inOslo, Norway atDet Norske Teatret and opened on 17 March 1988.[140] The production was in Norwegian and starred singer/actorØystein Wiik as Jean Valjean, Paul Åge Johannessen as Javert,Øivind Blunck as Thénardier,Kari Gjærum as Fantine, Amund Enger as Enjolras andGuri Schanke as Éponine. The production was a box office hit, with approximately 10% of Norway's entire population seeing the show in the first 6 months.Øystein Wiik went on to star as Jean Valjean in productions in Vienna and London in 1989–1990.
The stage show, which had changed so significantly since its Parisian conception as a stadium concert in 1980, was translated back into the language of Victor Hugo for its French world première in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1991. Five shows a week were in French, and three per week were in English.
In 1998, a concert version in English was produced in Malta, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. This production was staged by a company called Act React and featured Ray Mangion as Jean Valjean, Roger Tirazona as Javert, Julie James as Fantine,Leila Benn Harris as Éponine, Claire Debono as Cosette,Fabrizio Faniello as Marius,Lawrence Gray as Enjolras, Rennie Vella as Thenardier, Doreen Galea as Madame Thenardier, Dean Zammit as Gavroche and Hannah Schembri as Little Cosette.
In September 2008, a mini-tour produced by Atlanta's Theater of the Stars played Eisenhower Hall at theUnited States Military Academy,[141][failed verification] inWest Point, New York; the Filene Center at theWolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia; Kansas CityStarlight Theatre; and theFox Theater inAtlanta. The set featured original pictures painted by Victor Hugo. Robert Evan reprised the role of Valjean. Also featured were Nikki Renee Daniels as Fantine and Robert Hunt as Javert, both reprising their roles from the Broadway revival. Fred Hanson directed the production. The creative team included Matt Kinley as Scenic Designer,Ken Billington as Lighting Designer, Peter Fitzgerald and Erich Bechtel as Sound Designers,Zachary Borovay as Projection Designer, and Dan Riddle as musical director and Conductor.[142]
In 2008, theSignature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia staged a small venue "black box" version of the play. Signature received Mackintosh's special permission for the production: "One of the great pleasures of being involved with the creation ofLes Misérables is seeing this marvelous musical being done in a completely different and original way."[143] The production officially opened on 14 December 2008 (after previews from 2 December), and ran through 22 February 2009.[144][145]
A 2014 production at theDallas Theater Center modernized the staging with a setting in the modern-day United States. The concept was thought to be a refreshing stylistic change and effective as a commentary on modern inequality. The unauthorized depart from the authors' libretto and score, however, was controversial.[146][147]
In Panama,Les Misérables was staged in 2014 in Spanish at theNational Theatre of Panama for a short, sold-out run, directed byAaron Zebede.[148]
The school edition cuts a considerable amount of material from the original show. It is divided into thirty scenes and, although no critical scenes or songs have been removed, it runs 25–30 minutes shorter than the official version making the total running time about 2.5 hours.[149] "What Have I Done?", "Valjean's Soliloquy", "Stars", "A Little Fall of Rain", "Turning", and "Castle on a Cloud" lose a verse each. During "Fantine's Arrest", Bamatabois loses two verses. The song "Fantine's Death/Confrontation" is edited, and the counterpoint duel between Javert and Valjean is cut, as well as a verse by Fantine. "Dog Eats Dog" by Thénardier is truncated. "Beggars at the Feast", is shortened, with Thénardier losing a verse, and the song before it, "Wedding Chorale", is removed entirely, although the rest of the wedding remains in place. Also, the drinker's introduction to "Master of the House" is cut.[150]
| This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Les Misérables" musical – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(October 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The following recordings ofLes Misérables are available in English
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Laurence Olivier Award[155] | Best New Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Colm Wilkinson | Nominated | ||
| Alun Armstrong | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Patti LuPone | Won | ||
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Tony Award[156] | Best Musical | Won | |
| Best Book of a Musical | Alain Boublil andClaude-Michel Schönberg | Won | ||
| Best Original Score | Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) andHerbert Kretzmer & Alain Boublil (lyrics) | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Colm Wilkinson | Nominated | ||
| Terrence Mann | Nominated | |||
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Michael Maguire | Won | ||
| Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Frances Ruffelle | Won | ||
| Judy Kuhn | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Trevor Nunn andJohn Caird | Won | ||
| Best Scenic Design | John Napier | Won | ||
| Best Costume Design | Andreane Neofitou | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | David Hersey | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Colm Wilkinson | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Michael Maguire | Won | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Judy Kuhn | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | John Cameron | Won | ||
| Outstanding Music | Claude-Michel Schönberg | Won | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | John Napier | Won | ||
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Award[157] | Best Musical | Won | ||
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dora Award[158][159] | Outstanding Production | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Male Performance | Ramin Karimloo | Nominated | ||
| Mark Uhre | Nominated | |||
| Aiden Glenn | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Female Performance | Melissa O'Neil | Won | ||
| Outstanding Direction | Laurence Connor and James Powell | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Matt Kinley | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Paule Constable | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography | James Dodgson | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Ensemble | Entire ensemble | Nominated | ||
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Ramin Karimloo | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Mick Potter | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Green Room Awards | Production | Nominated | |
| Actor in a Leading Role | Simon Gleeson | Nominated | ||
| Hayden Tee | Won | |||
| Direction | James Powell and Laurence Connor | Nominated | ||
| Musical Direction | Geoffrey Castles | Nominated | ||
| Design (Lighting) | Paule Constable | Nominated | ||
| Design (Sound) | Mick Potter | Nominated | ||
| Design (Set and Costume) | Matt Kinley (Set and Image Design) | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Helpmann Awards[160][161] | Best Musical | Won | |
| Best Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Simon Gleeson | Won | ||
| Hayden Tee | Nominated | |||
| Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Trevor Ashley | Nominated | ||
| Chris Durling | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Patrice Tipoki | Nominated | ||
| Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Kerrie Anne Greenland | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Laurence Connor and James Powell | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography in a Musical | Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Paule Constable | Won | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Matt Kinley | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design | Mick Potter | Won | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
