Cameron Mackintosh announced today that his current production of Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil’s legendary musical LES MISÉRABLES will end its acclaimed run on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at the Imperial Theater (239 West 45th Street). The current Broadway version of LES MISÉRABLES is the only production of the musical currently playing in North America and currently stars Alfie Boe, the acclaimed star of the London 25th Anniversary Concert, as Jean Valjean through February 28. John Owen-Jones, who is currently starring as The Phantom in Mackintosh’s London production of The Phantom of the Opera, and has played Valjean both on Broadway (in 2007) and in London, will succeed Boe in the role beginning March 1 for the duration of the show’s Broadway run.
This new production of the musical will have given 1,026 performances over two-and-a-half years. In total, since the 1987 opening of the original production, LES MISÉRABLES will have played 8,202 performances on Broadway.
Said Cameron Mackintosh, “I am delighted that Broadway audiences have so enthusiastically embraced LES MISÉRABLES in its Broadway return. We made the decision last year to have a hiatus on all North American licensing of the show until 2017, so that Broadway would be the one and only place to see this magnificent new version of Boublil & Schonberg’s classic musical, and for one last holiday season. And having two of the best Valjeans of all-time – Alfie Boe followed by John Owen-Jones – could not be a better way for the show to finish off its final months on Broadway.”
The cast of LES MISÉRABLES currently stars Alfie Boe, the internationally-acclaimed tenor (and star of the London LES MIZ 25th Anniversary concert) as Jean Valjean, Will Swenson as Javert (subbing for Earl Carpenter), Tony Award nominee Montego Glover as Fantine, Tony Award and Olivier Award nominee Gavin Lee as Thenardier, Rachel Izen as Madame Thenardier, Brennyn Lark as Eponine, Chris McCarrell as Marius, Alex Finke as Cosette and Wallace Smith as Enjolras. Hayden Tee from the Australian production assumes the role of Javert January 29.
Now in its second year on Broadway, this newly-reimagined production of LES MISÉRABLES opened on Broadway March 23, 2014 to critical acclaim. The Associated Press raved, “A glorious LES MISÉRABLES! This terrific new production is beautifully sung and acted.” NY 1 said, “LES MISÉRABLES is born again. This is as close to perfection as we’ll ever get in the theater.” And The Huffington Post proclaimed, “This is a LES MISÉRABLES for the 21st century! It stirs the audience and rocks the rafters.” The new Broadway production of LES MISÉRABLES is now exclusively the only place in North America where the shown can be seen.
The new production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, with set and image design by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and projections realized by Fifty-Nine Productions. Musical staging is by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker and musical direction by James Lowe.
While the original London production of LES MISÉRABLES just celebrated its record-breaking 30th Anniversary on October 8th, the new version of the show is playing in Australia and South Korea and will open early next year in an Asian tour playing in Manila and Singapore. A new American tour will launch in 2017.
The original New York production of LES MISÉRABLES premiered first at the Broadway Theatre on March 12, 1987, later moving to the Imperial on October 17, 1990, where it played until May 18, 2003, for a total Broadway run of 6680 performances. LES MISÉRABLES is the 5th longest-running Broadway production of all time.
Photo: Michael Le Poer Trench
