Theater News

J. Mark McVey, Andrew Varela, et al. Set for LA Engagement of Les Miserables Tour

J. Mark McVey
J. Mark McVey

Broadway veteran J. Mark McVey will star as the fugitive Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary touring production of Les Miserables during the show’s Los Angeles engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre, June 14-July 31. Laurence Connor and James Powell have directed the production. McVey joins the tour beginning with the production’s engagement in Tempe, AZ, at ASU Gammage June 7-12.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel of the same name, the show features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer from the original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton.

The cast also features Andrew Varela as Javert, Michael Kostroff as Thénardier, Shawna M. Hamic as Madame Thénardier, Betsy Morgan as Fantine, Jeremy Hays as Enjolras, Chasten Harmon as Eponine, Justin Scott Brown as Marius and Jenny Latimer as Cosette. Katherine Forrester and Anastasia Korbal alternate in the role of Little Cosette. Josh Caggiano and Colin DePaula alternate in the role of Gavroche.

The ensemble includes Richard Todd Adams, Richard Barth, Cathryn Basile, Julie Benko, Cole Burden, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Casey Erin Clark, Jason Forbach, Lucia Giannetta, Ian Patrick Gibb, Cooper Grodin, Ben Gunderson, Beth Kirkpatrick, Cornelia Luna, Benjamin Magnuson, Jason Ostrowski, Max Quinlan, John Rapson, Rachel Rincione, Sarah Shahinian, Alan Shaw, Joseph Spieldenner, Joe Tokarz, Aliya Victoriya and Natalie Weiss.

The production is designed by Matt Kinley, inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowlands, lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Mick Potter.

McVey has a long history with this role. He made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables after having won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor while on tour with the show. He was also the first American to perform the role in London’s West End, and recently played Valjean in a special concert version of Les Miserables presented to a sold out crowd at the Hollywood Bowl.

For tickets and more information on the LA engagement of Les Miserables, click here.