Box Office – Les Misérables
Les Misérables
Aug 9 – Aug 27, 2011
Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.
The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.” The Star-Ledger says "a dynamically re-imagined hit. This Les Misérables has improved with age” and NY1-TV proclaims “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: Les Miz is born again.”
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.
Author/Dramatist: Alain Boublil
Book and Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg
Lyricist: Herbert Kretzmer
Director: Laurence Connor and James Powell
RICHARD TODD ADAMS (Factory Foreman, Lesgles, u/s Jean Valjean, u/s Javert)
Broadway: The Woman in White, The Pirate Queen. National tour: The Phantom of the Opera (Phantom). 2008 Jeff Award winner for Javert in Les Misérables in Chicago.
RICHARD BARTH (Swing)
Off-Broadway: Beowulf (title role), Irish Repertory. National Tour: Miss Saigon. Regional: Goodspeed, Signature, Old Globe, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep and Arrow Rock Lyceum. Training: Hartt School.
JULIE BENKO (Innkeeper’s Wife, Ensemble, u/s Cosette)
National tour: Spring Awakening (u/s Wendla, Ilse). Regional: Spelling Bee (Olive). Currently studying at NYUTisch. Thanks to Generation TV, RKS and her family.
JUSTIN SCOTT BROWN (Marius)
is thrilled to be a part of the new 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables! National tour: Spring Awakening (1st National). Regional: The Sound of Music, Titanic, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables and others at The MUNY. Favorite roles include Finch/How to Succeed&hellip and Giorgio/Passion. CCM (BFA- 2009). Thanks to Harden-Curtis and Tara Rubin. Love to Mom, Dad, J&J!
COLE BURDEN (Courfeyrac, u/s Bamatabois)
Bonnie and Clyde (NYMF), Applause (ENCORES!) Readings: Yank, Bromance: The Dudesical. Regional: Grey Gardens, Les Misérables, Evita. TV/Film: As The World Turns, 30 Rock.coleburden.com.
BRIANA CARLSONGOODMAN (Ensemble, u/s Éponine)
was recently seen in the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair, where she performed both Crissy and Sheila. Off- Broadway: Wanda’s World. Regional: Calvin Berger (Gloucester Stage). For fam and J.
CASEY ERIN CLARK (Ensemble, u/s Fantine, u/s Factory Girl)
Off- Broadway: Frankenstein (Agatha) and Shout! (Red Girl), The Incredibly Deaf Musical (Lisa, NYMF 2010). Regional favorites: Jekyll and Hyde (Emma) and Little Women (Jo, Kevin Kline Award nomination). caseyerinclark.com
COLIN DEPAULA (Gavroche)
was awarded best actor at 2009 NY Fringe Festival. He starred in Oliver! (Narrows Community Theatre, Brooklyn) and as Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors (Transfiguration Church, Manhattan). Colin is thrilled to be a part of this magnificent production.
JASON FORBACH (Feuilly, u/s Enjolras)
The Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas - Raoul u/s). Off Broadway: The Music Teacher, A.W.O.L., As You Like It. Regional: Sacramento Music Circus, NSMT. Debut album available on iTunes. jasonforbach.com
LUCIA GIANNETTA (Factory Girl, Ensemble, u/s Madame Thénardier)
Off Broadway/NY Workshops/Readings: Godspell, Little Mermaid, Leap of Faith. Performed at Lincoln Center, Radio City, Carnegie Hall, alongside Alan Menken, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Patti LaBelle. Proud member Broadway Inspirational Voices. For Bella.
IAN PATRICK GIBB (Constable, Jean Prouvaire, u/s Marius)
Regional: Pittsburgh CLO, Music Theatre of Wichita, Fireside Theatre, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. OCU Grad. Special thanks to family, friends, and The Mine! Mom and Dad, this is for you!
BEN GUNDERSON (Swing)
Fiddler, Engeman; Cabaret, Hilton Head; West Side Story, Ravinia; Dream of the Burning Boy & House of Gold, O’Neill. BFA: UNCSA.
SHAWNA M. HAMIC (Madame Thénardier)
NY Workshops: The Toymaker, Screams of Kitty Genovese, Glen or Glenda. Regional: Twist (Directed / Choreographed by Debbie Allen), Les Misérables, Ragtime, Hello Dolly, The Molly Maguires, Genesis, My Fair Lady, Mame, Kismet, Once Upon…, H2$, Guys and Dolls (in Macao, China). “A&A, F&AD, TMF!” ShawnaHamic.com
CHASTEN HARMON (Éponine)
Broadway: Hair. Off- Broadway: Iphigenia 2.0 (dir. by Tina Landau), Signature Theatre; Grind (Clementine), The York Theatre. Regional: Once on this Island (Ti Moune) and All Shook Up (Lorraine), Marriott Theatre; Leader of the Pack, Cape Playhouse. Training from NYU, TSOA.
JEREMY HAYS (Enjolras)
Broadway: Les Misérables. National Tour: Cats (Rum Tum Tugger). Regional: Hair (Berger) (American Stage), Les Misérables (TUTS), Camelot (Lancelot) (PA Center Stage). Love to Kathleen, Dad, Niki, Jamie, Jeff, Payten, Graysen, and Violet.
SIRI HOWARD (Crazy Whore, Ensemble, u/s Cosette)
Broadway: !e Sound of Music (Liesl). National Tour: Parade (Iola Stover); !e Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain. Regional: A Little Night Music 25th Anniversary Concert (Fredrika), with the Philadelphia Orchestra; Les Misérables, !eatre of the Stars. !e USO Liberty Bells. sirihoward.com
BETH KIRKPATRICK (Old Woman, Ensemble, u/s Madame Thénardier)
Tours: The Phantom of the Opera, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (Asia). New York: Plain and Fancy (York), Earthquake Weather. Regional: Jerry Springer: The Opera, Sweeney Todd, Beauty & the Beast. Northwestern U. Love to family, besties, and the Mine!
ETHAN PAUL KHUSIDMAN (Gavroche)
is thrilled to be in Les Mis! Films: Making Friends. TV: !e Whitest Kids U’Know. Music Videos: Make My Body Rock. Competitions: National Young Maestro Competition (1st place), Our Talented Children (2nd place). Resident Member of TADA! Youth !eater, National Children’s Chorus, and M-Generation. Thanks to his agent, teachers and family, especially his Grandma Irene.
MAYA JADE FRANK (Little Cosette/Young Éponine at some performances)
is so excited to be a part of this amazing cast. Hurricane (Baby Mary); Beauty and !e Beast (Chip); Gateway Les Mis (Little Cosette). !anks to my sister, Tehya, and parents, teachers, Ms. Rubin, David Doan and BTM. MayaJadeFrank.com
MICHAEL KOSTROFF (Thénardier)
is best known for his longrunning roles on HBO’s The Wire and Disney’s Sonny with a Chance. He’s guest starred on Weeds, Cold Case, Brothers and Sisters, West Wing, ER, Studio 60, The Closer and dozens more. Kostroff toured previously in Les Misérables (Thénardier) and in The Producers, understudying Max Bialystock—a role he’s since played all over the country. He’s the author of Letters from Backstage.
JENNY LATIMER (Cosette)
National tour debut! Regional credits include: She Loves Me at Westport Country Playhouse, Maury Yeston’s Phantom (Christine), The Fantasticks (Luisa), Hamlet (Ophelia), Rabbit Hole (Izzy) and My Fair Lady (Eliza). She studied acting at Brigham Young University and while there received a scholarship to study with the Steppenwolf Theater Company. She would like to thank KSR, Tara Rubin’s office, and her beautiful family for believing in her. Follow on twitter @Jlat.
CORNELIA LUNA (Wigmaker, Ensemble, u/s Fantine)
is thrilled to be back in Les Misérables! Miss Saigon (Kim and Ellen); The King and I (Tuptim); Hey! Mr. Producer (Éponine and Christine); Self-titled CD (BMG). Love to family and friends!
BENJAMIN MAGNUSON (The Bishop of Digne, Babet, u/s Javert, u/s Thénardier, Fight Captain)
Broadway/ Tour: Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd. Regional: ACT, La Jolla, Human Race Theatre Company, Long Wharf and Paper Mill Playhouse. Film/ Television: The Other Guys, “30 Rock.” Training: CCM. BenjaminMagnuson.com
J. MARK McVEY (Jean Valjean)
a Helen Hayes Award-winning actor / singer, made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean and happily returns to add to his 2900+ performances. Broadway / Notable: Tommy, Stairway to Paradise, Hey Love, Show Boat, Chess, Carousel, My Fair Lady. Concerts/ Recordings: Broadway and Beyond, If You Really Knew Me, TSO –Lost Christmas Eve (Gold Record). J. Mark thanks God for his gifts, his family for their tireless support and you for your patronage. jmarkmcvey.com
KYLIE McVEY (Ensemble, u/s Little Cosette/ Young Éponine)
is thrilled to be onstage with her dad. She loves to sing, dance and play the violin. Ballet: Snow White. Violin: featured soloist at the Kasschau Memorial Bandshell. She thanks God and her family for this incredible opportunity.
BETSY MORGAN (Fantine)
Broadway: Original casts of A Little Night Music (Revival), Little Mermaid, High Fidelity. NY Theatre/Readings/ Workshops: Tales of the City, Dangerous Beauty, Addams Family, Prairie, Leap of Faith, Memphis, The Fantasticks, Bernarda Alba (Lincoln Center). TV: Flight of the Conchords. Originated the role of Leslie Benedict in the Premiere of Giant at Signature Theatre.
JASON OSTROWSKI (Swing/Dance Captain, u/s Factory Foreman)
Broadway: Company (Tony Award-winner 2006 Best Revival). National tours: Whistle Down the Wind, Forever Plaid. Regional: Hello Dolly, Oklahoma!, An O.Henry Christmas. Love to my family and Elizabeth. Jasono.net
MAX QUINLAN (Laborer, Montparnasse, u/s Marius)
Off- Broadway/NY: York Theatre Company, NAMT. Regional: Jeff Award Nomination Jesus Christ Superstar (TATC), Ragtime (Drury Lane), Jeff Award Winner The Light In The Piazza (Marriott Theatre), Les Misérables (MUNY), Joseph&hellip (Marriott). BFA: CCM. For family and friends! maxquinlan.net
JOHN RAPSON (Farmer, Bamatabois, Claquesous, u/s Thénardier, u/s Grantaire, u/s Bishop of Digne)
is proud to join the revolution! Regional: Sweeney Todd (Barrington Stage), Brigadoon (Wagon Wheel Theatre). Education: BFA University of Michigan. So much love to my incredible family!
RACHEL RINCIONE (Swing, u/s Factory Girl)
B.F.A-Acting, Chapman Univ, MMVoice, Univ. of Denver. Credits: NY Camelot (Nimue) WPPAC, Suor Angelica (Cercatrice) Chelsea Opera, Regional: Camelot (Nimue u/s) Goodspeed Opera, Les Misérables (Mme. Thénardier u/s) MGR.
SARAH SHAHINIAN (Young Whore, Ensemble, u/s Éponine)
Credits: Oklahoma! (Ado Annie—National tour), Little Women (Jo—Syracuse Stage), Les Misérables (Éponine—Theatre Under the Stars), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Lincoln Center). sarahshahinian.com
ALAN SHAW (Constable, Joly, u/s Enjolras)
is thankful and blessed. Credits: Big River (Huck Finn), Children of Eden (Cain/ Japheth), The Sound of Music (Rolf). Thank you to The Roster, Kimberly Vaughn, and my family. alanshaw.me
JULIANA SIMONE (Little Cosette/Young Éponine at some performances)
Miami native, age 9, is thrilled to be a part of Les Misérables! Regional: !e Music Man (Amaryllis), Broward Stage Door !eatre; !e Sound of Music (Gretl u/s), Maltz Jupiter !eatre; and Oliver!, Actors’ Playhouse. Special thanks to Ben and Nancy.
JOSEPH SPIELDENNER (Innkeeper, Grantaire, Major Domo, u/s Bishop, u/s Bamatabois, u/s Factory Foreman)
is from Maine. BFAFlorida State. Tour: South Pacific (Cable). Regional: Miss Saigon (Chris), Seaside Music Theatre; Children of Eden (Adam/Noah), Astoria PAC. Dedicated to Scott, Gale, Eric and Grandma Margaret.
ERIC VAN TIELEN (Combeferre, Fauchelevent, u/s Grantaire)
is a Salt Lake City native. Broadway/Nat’l Tours: A Tale of Two Cities, Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka) Regional: Utah Shakespeare Festival, HMS Pinafore (Ralph), !e Matchmaker (Cornelius), Lend Me a Tenor, the Musical (Rupp, World Premiere), Indiana Repertory !eatre, !e Fantasticks (Matt), Pioneer !eatre, Syracuse Stage. MFA, Indiana University.
JOE TOKARZ (Champmathieu, Brujon, Loud Hailer, u/s Jean Valjean)
Credits include: Les Misérables, Joseph…, My Fair Lady (Marriott Theatre), Candide (Goodman), Passion (Chicago Shakespeare) and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Theatre at the Center). Love to family. Proud Equity member.
ANDREW VARELA (Javert)
was last seen on Broadway in Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George (Jules). Other Broadway/National tours: Little Women (Prof Bhaer), Les Misérables (Jean Valjean), The Phantom of the Opera (Phantom), Cats (Gus/Growltiger), Evita, Disney’s King David. Other roles: The Pirate King in Pirates!, Sky in Guys and Dolls, Jud in Oklahoma!, The Prince in The Student Prince. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@AndrewVarela525) and check out AndrewVarela.com. For Susan.
NATALIE WEISS (Swing)
Broadway: Everyday Rapture (u/s for Menonettes). Tour: Wicked (2nd national ensemble, u/s Elphaba). Regional: Pittsburgh CLO, North Shore Music Theatre. TV: American Idol season 4 semifinalist. natalieweiss.net
Rated PG
The New Touring Production
This special touring production of Les Misérables has been restaged by new directors in celebration of the musical's 25th anniversary. While it is the same show with the same music, the sets, movement, choreography, and orchestrations have all been refurbished and updated and it features a multi-ethnic cast. In addition, the new Les Misérables is considerably darker, grittier, and more realistic than the old. For instance, Jean Valjean's imprisonment (now seen in a slave ship) is portrayed more harshly, while Fantine's fall into prostitution is more explicit, portraying sexual situations.
The Historical Background
Les Misérables is a musical dramatization of Victor Hugo's great novel, which was published in 1862. Hugo's novel, which described both the corruption of those in power and the continued misery of the poor (the novel's title means "the wretched ones"), made it clear that the promises of the French Revolution of 1789 (liberty, equality, fraternity) remained unfulfilled. After the Revolution degenerated into the Terror—in which most of the Revolution's leaders became themselves victims of the guillotine—Napoleon Bonaparte took command and in 1804, he declared himself emperor. After the fall of Napoleon, the monarchy returned with Louis XVIII as king.
Les Misérables takes place between 1815 and 1832; 1815 marks the beginning of the reign of Louis XVIII and 1832 marks the death of General Lamarque, during the reign of Charles X. Lamarque, a hero to students and workers, was one of the few men in the French government who showed any compassion for the less fortunate, and his death precipitated the student rebellion which takes place in Les Misérables.
The Story
Les Misérables' basic story involves Jean Valjean, a convict whose crime was to steal a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children; because of his attempt to escape, his sentence stretched out to 19 years. Opposing Valjean is the police inspector, Javert, who doggedly pursues Valjean. Other characters include Fantine, the mill worker who turns to prostitution to support her child; Cosette, Fantine's daughter, who is eventually adopted by Valjean; the Thenadiers, the greedy and amoral innkeepers who are Cosette's guardians; their daughter Eponine, who loves the student rebel Marius, who cannot return her love because he has fallen for Cosette; and Gavroche, the young street urchin.
Adult Language
Very mild; a few "hells" and "damns;" Fantine is called a "bitch" by the corrupt foreman who fires her; a few uses of "Jesus" and "Sweet Jesus" and "God Almighty" as oaths.
Violence/Scariness
The student riots of 1832 are portrayed in the second act; all of the idealistic young men who take a stand against tyranny and cruelty are killed. Two leading characters are killed in the rebellion. Another leading character commits suicide by throwing himself in the Seine.
Sexual References
The mill worker Fantine is fired when she refuses to respond to the foreman's advances. Fantine's song, "I Dreamed a Dream," tells the story of how she was seduced and abandoned by the father of her illegitimate child, Cosette. The song "Lovely Ladies" describes what happens to the desperate Fantine after she loses her job and is forced to sell her jewelry, her hair, and finally, reluctantly, herself in order to send money to the Thenadiers, who are taking care of her daughter. Fantine feels degraded by her new trade, but the other whores ask, "Why all the fuss? / You're no grander than the rest of us / Life has dropped you at the bottom of the heap / Join your sisters, make money in your sleep." Some sexual situations are portrayed in this sequence.
Drugs/Alcohol
The students are seen drinking as they plan their revolt; as the rebels wait for the end, one of their leaders, Grantiere, sings 'Drink with Me" to remember happier days.