Arts News

Les Miserables closes today

By Amy Somensky Jan 6, 2008, 4:52 GMT

Based on Victor Hugo\'s opus, Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the \'ticket-of-leave\' he must display by law, condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police, and ...more

New York: The second Broadway run of Les Miserables plays its final performance today at the Broadhurst Theater. The production, billed as a six-month limited engagement, will have played 479 performances since opening on November 6, 2006.

The cast at the time of closing includes John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean, Robert Hunt as Javert, Gary Beach as Thenardier, Judy Kuhn as Fantine, Jenny Galloway as Madame Thenardier, Max von Essen as Enjolras, Adam Jacobs as Marius, Leah Horowitz as Cosette, and Megan McGinnis as Eponine.

The production 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.

Based on Victor Hugo's opus, Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the 'ticket-of-leave' he must display by law, condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew. Things go well but 8 years later, an encounter with a face from the past threatens everything he now holds dear.