Norm Lewis to Play Javert in Les Miserables Revival?

While he performed in Florida this week, the Orlando Sentinel appears to have gotten the scoop that Norm Lewis will star as Javert in the upcoming revival of Les Miserables. No officially confirmed, or other casting has been announced at this time.

To celebrate LES MISÉRABLES becoming the longest-running musical in the world in October of this year, producer Cameron Mackintosh recently accounced that Boublil and Schönberg's legendary musical will return to Broadway for a special limited six-month engagement, beginning this coming fall at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Saturday, October 21, with an official opening slated for Thursday, November 9. Casting for the production will be announced in the coming months. Tickets will go on sale to the general public in June, with group sales beginning later this month.

LES MISÉRABLES is the third longest-running show in Broadway history and will, on October 9, pass the 21 year old record of Cats in London to become the longest-running musical ever on the West End or Broadway with 8,372 performances; a run nearly three years longer than Broadway's record-holder The Phantom of the Opera, all three shows having been produced by Cameron Mackintosh. LES MISÉRABLES has been seen by over 53 million people in 38 countries and 21 languages since its first London performance in October 1985. The original Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre, winning seven Tony Awards that season, including Best Musical. The show went on to play a total of 6,680 performances.

"2006 has been a very special year for me with Phantom becoming the longest running musical ever on Broadway and soon, in London, on October 9, LES MISÉRABLES becomes the longest-running musical in the world. So the opportunity to bring LES MIZ home to Broadway in the exquisite and intimate Broadhurst Theatre, next door to Phantom, to celebrate this historic achievement is irresistible. I am sure that the timeless power of the show will be an unforgettable experience both for new audiences and serial Les Miz-ers," said Cameron Mackintosh.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, LES MISÉRABLES is musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. Directed by Trevor Nunn & John Caird, the musical is designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and sound by Andrew Bruce.

LES MISÉRABLES was first presented by Cameron Mackintosh and The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre in October, 1985. The musical transferred to the West End's Palace Theatre later that year, where it played for 19 years. LES MISÉRABLES transferred to the Queen's Theatre in April, 2004, where it continues today.