Tim Quartier, Lianne Marie Dobbs & More Join Cast of Orlando Shakespeare Theater's LES MISERABLES

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has announced partial casting for LES MISERABLES. Previously revealed, Broadway's Davis Gaines (Police Inspector Javert) will play opposite Florida State University alumnus Michael Hunsaker (Jean Valjean). Also joining the cast are James Beaman as Thénardier, Matt McMahan as Enjolras, Tim Quartier as Marius, Caitlyn Caughell as Eponine, Lianne Marie Dobbs as Fantine, Heather Botts as Cosette, and Anne Hering as Madame Thénardier. LES MISERABLES plays from September 10 - October 12, 2014 in the Margeson Theater. Single tickets are available now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, visiting www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, LES MISERABLES is a magnificent and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit in 19th century France. Winner of three Tony Awards© and a Grammy Award© for Best Musical Cast Show Album, "Les Mis" shines as the world's longest-running musical. Complete with a live 10-piece orchestra and a cast of 27 actors, the production will be the largest musical in Orlando Shakespeare Theater's history.

"After an exhaustive nationwide search, we have hand-picked a cast of Broadway veterans and Orlando Shakes audience favorites," said Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. "You will be blown away by the talent on our stage."

Davis Gaines (Javert) is an Orlando native and graduate of Edgewater High School. Best known for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Gaines remains Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include Hello, Dolly!, Camelot, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Gaines' voice can be heard in over 30 cast recordings and compilation albums, as well as two solo CDs, Against the Tide and All My Tomorrows: Songs of Sammy Cahn.

Michael Hunsaker (Jean Valjean) was raised in South Florida and is an alumnus of Florida State University. Broadway and National Tour credits include Steven Schwartz's Children of Eden (Original Cast Album), Chess, Chance and Chemistry, and Ragtime. He originated Off-Broadway roles in Listen to My Heart, The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, My Deah, and The Odyssey, and participated in the BMI Lehmen-Engel Workshop and the Musical Writer's Playground. Hunsaker is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Film Production from Full Sail University.

James Beaman (Thénardier) starred as Sir Robin in the First National Tour of Monty Python's Spamalot, and originated roles in The Road To Qatar! (Off-Broadway/Original Cast Album) and Frog Kiss (Virginia Stage Co.). Most recently he appeared as John Adams in 1776 (Cape Playhouse), Max in The Sound of Music (North Shore Music Theatre), and Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Flat Rock Playhouse). Additional credits include: Goodspeed Musicals, The Kennedy Center, Ogunquit Playhouse, and Shakespeare festivals across the country.

Matt McMahan (Enjolras) returns to the barricade after touring nationally with the 25th Anniversary production of LES MISERABLES. Off-Broadway/NY credits include 50 Shades of Grey: The Musical (Gramercy Theatre) and How Green Was My Valley (Actors Studio). Regional credits include South Carolina Arts Center, Lyric Theatre, and Ozark Actors Theatre.

Tim Quartier (Marius) recently finished the international tour In the Mood: a 1940s Musical Revue, and can be heard on the cast recording. Credits include Marius in LES MISERABLES (Little Theatre on the Square); Link in Hairspray (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and New Theatre Restaurant); George in I Love a Piano (Mac-Haydn Theatre); Buzz Adams in South Pacific (John W. Engeman Theater); and Tony in West Side Story and Troy in High School Musical (Talent Company).

Caitlyn Caughell (Eponine) was last seen on Broadway in Newsies The Musical. Other New York credits include the workshops of Time After Time, Allegiance, and 4@15 at The York Theatre. Regional credits include: The Kennedy Center, Sacramento Music Circus, Hangar Theatre, TriArts Sharon Playhouse, and Light Opera Oklahoma.

Lianne Marie Dobbs (Fantine) appeared as Tessie in the National Tour of Irving Berlin's White Christmas and Hildy in the Off-Broadway production of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Peccadillo Theater Company). Additional credits include Jane Austen's Emma (Cincinnati Playhouse/St. Louis Rep/TheatreWorks), Of Thee I Sing (San Francisco Symphony), Jeckyll & Hyde (Westchester Broadway Theatre), How to Succeed in Business... (Goodspeed Musicals), and Happy End (ACT/Original Cast Album).

Heather Botts (Cosette) most recently appeared as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific at Riverside Theatre. Additional credits include Ellen in Miss Saigon, Sandy in Grease, and Lady Zaza in Rapunzel! Rapunzel! (Casa Mañana Theatre); Jane in Tarzan (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma); The Baker's Wife in Into The Woods (Clinton Area Showboat Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center); and Brother Issachar/Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Taproot Theatre Company).

Anne Hering (Madame Thénardier) appeared most recently in Orlando Shakes productions of Julius Caesar, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Romeo and Juliet, Sense and Sensibility, Cymbeline, God of Carnage, and Pride and Prejudice. Additional regional acting credits include Boston Marriage, The Real Thing, Wit, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and The Little Prince with Orlando Theatre Project.

?The LES MISERABLES ensemble will be announced at a later date. The Orlando Shakes artistic team includes Director DJ Salisbury, Musical Director Ken Cliffton, Assistant Director Tara Snyder, Set Designer Kat Conley, and Lighting Designer Bert Scott.

LES MISERABLES is presented through the support of the Bryce L. West Foundation. Additional supporters include John & Rita Lowndes, Ken & Trisha Margeson, Albert & Lisa Prast, Kathryn Chicone Ustler, David & Lyn Berelsman, Suzanne Gilbert, Harriett Lake, and Frank Santos & Dan Dantin. Corporate supporters include Massey Services, UCF College of Arts & Humanities, and UCF Office of the President.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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