Way Off Broadway's LES MISERABLES Begins Tonight

Continuing Way Off Broadway's 20th Anniversary Season, the dinner theatre is preparing to bring the global blockbuster LES MISERABLES to the stage this summer.

This international smash-hit may be the most popular musical in the world. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter.

LES MISERABLES is the world's longest running musical, seen by over 65 million theatre-goers in 42 countries. The original London production took two years to develop (from an earlier French adaptation), opening in the West End in October 1985. The show has been in production there ever since. On October 3, 2010, LES MISERABLES played its 10,000th performance.

In 1987, the show opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre, where it played from March 12, 1987 to October 14, 1990. It transferred to the Imperial Theatre and reopened on October 17, 1990. The Imperial was the show's home until the summer of 2003 when it finally closed after almost 6,700 performances. At the time it closed, it was the second longest-running musical on Broadway and winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Three and a half years later, producer Cameron Mackintosh brought LES MISERABLES back to New York. The revival ran for a little over a year before it closed in January 2008.

In preparation of the show's 30th Anniversary, Cameron Mackintosh opened a new production in September 2013 at the Prince of Whales Theatre in Toronto before transferring the show to Broadway in March of this year. The show again found its home at the Imperial Theatre.

Under the direction of Bill Kiska, Way Off Broadway's production will be the first professional staging of the musical in the Frederick area.

The cast of Way Off Broadway's LES MISERABLES is lead by Jordan B. Stocksdale as Jean Valjean, the prisoner who turned his life around to become a member of the French upper class, and Bradford Love as Valjean's relentless pursuer, Inspector Javert. Joining Stocksdale and Love will be Danny Bertaux as Marius, Sarah Biggs as Eponine, Mary Ellen Cameron as Fantine, Matthew Crawford as Thénardier, Marcia Kunkel as Madame Thénardier, Kendall Sigman as Cosette, an Matt Rothenberg as Enjolras. Rounding out the cast are Cecelia Cizek, Briana Gause, Daniel Hafer, Jaimie Lea Kiska, David I. Marcus, Matthew Mastromatteo, Thomas Stratton, Luke Szukalski, Sarah Szukalski, Joseph Waeyaert, Tori Weaver, and Megan West.

LES MISERABLES is based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo and has music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, and a book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Way Off Broadway's production will run June 20 - August 23, 2014, with music direction by Jordan B. Stocksdale.

Performances are every Friday and Saturday evening, with matinees on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of the month. Tickets on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon are $43 per person for dinner and the show. On Saturday evenings, tickets are $47 per person.

For additional information about any of Way Off Broadway's productions or events, call the Box Office at (301) 662-6600 or visit www.wayoffbroadway.com.

LES MISERABLES will be followed later this season by Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, Way Off Broadway's 20th Anniversary Revue, and It's Christmas.

To post a comment, you must register and login.