Beach, Gemignani, Lazar, Lewis, Rubin-Vega, et al. Set for Broadway Revival of Les Miz
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna Ltd.)
Gary Beach, Ali Ewoldt, Jenny Galloway, Alexander Gemignani, Adam Jacobs, Aaron Lazar, Norm Lewis, Lea Michele, and Daphne Rubin-Vega will star in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables, which will be produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The show will begin a six-month run at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 22 and will open officially on November 9.
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the musical is set in 19th-century France. It tells the epic story of Jean Valjean, a man in search of personal redemption, who is pursued by Inspector Javert. Les Misérables features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. Directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, the production is designed by John Napier, with lighting by David Hersey, costumes by Andreane Neofitou, and sound by Andrew Bruce.
Gemignani, who will play the leading role of Jean Valjean, is currently starring as the Beadle in Sweeney Todd and was previously seen on Broadway in Assassins and Avenue Q. Lewis will play Javert; his Broadway credits include Side Show, Miss Saigon, Amour, and The Wild Party. Rubin-Vega, who will play Fantine, is a two-time Tony Award nominee for Rent and Anna in the Tropics.
Beach, who will play M. Thenardier, received a Tony Award for The Producers and a nomination for La Cage aux Folles. Galloway, who will play Mme. Thernadier, starred in the London production of Mary Poppins. Lazar, who will play Enjolras, is currently starring as Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza. Michele, who will play Eponine, played Young Cosette in the show’s original production and subsequently appeared on Broadway in Ragtime and Fiddler on the Roof. Ewoldt and Jacobs will make their Broadway debuts as Cosette and Marius, respectively.
The original production of Les Misérables is the third longest-running show in Broadway history, with a total of 6,680 performances. The show won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
