Broadway’s Les Miz to Close January 6

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has announced the final extension for the Broadway production of Les Misérables which will close on Sunday, January 6, 2008.

The current production of Les Miz opened on November 6, 2006 and was originally set for a six-month limited engagement. Citing strong box-office sales, however, producers extended the run an additional nine months.

The musical currently features John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean, Robert Hunt as Javert, Judy Kuhn as Fantine, Gary Beach as Thenardier, Jenny Galloway as Madame Thenardier, Megan McGinnis as Eponine, Leah Horowitz as Cosette, Adam Jacobs as Marius, and Max von Essen as Enjolras.

Les Misérables first opened on Broadway on March 12, 1987 at the Broadway Theatre. That production ran for 6,680 performances and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. When it closes on January 6, the current production will have played 17 previews and 479 regular performances.

As previously announced, Mackintosh will bring Les Misérables to China as part of a joint effort with the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG). That production will open at the new National Grand Theater in Bejing in November 2008.

In his review of the revival, David Finkle wrote, “while I’ve adamantly resisted the musical’s portentous charms, even I have to admit there are many things to be said in favor of the show and this generally well-sung revival […] The bottom line with Les Miz is this: If you like this sort of musical, this is the sort of musical you’ll like.”