This post was originally published on Playbill - Features
Written by: Playbill Staff
Following its London debut, Lés Miserables opened in New York City at the Broadway Theatre March 12, 1987. The show, directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, played 11 previews and 6,680 performances before closing May 18, 2003. The production earned 12 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Best Musical. In the time since its premiere, it has been produced in more than 40 countries across the globe and been translated into 21 languages.
Adapted from Victor Hugo’s sweeping novel, Les Misérables tells the story of struggle, perseverance, and love through the French revolution. The musical features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, and book by Schönberg and Alain Boubil.
Look Back on the Original Broadway Production of Les Misérables
The original Broadway production starred Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, Terrence Mann as Javert, Randy Graff as Fantine, Frances Ruffelle as Eponine, Leo Burmester as Thénardier, Jennifer Butt as Madame Thénardier, David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, and Donna Vivino as Young Cosette, Chrissie McDonald as Young Eponine, and Braden Danner as Gavroche.
Rounding out the cast were Cindy Benson, Jane Bodle, Jesse Corti, Anthony Crivello, Ann Crumb, John Dewar, Joanna Glushak, Susan Goodman, Paul Harman, Kelli James, Gretchen Kingsley-Weihe, Joseph Kolinski, Norman Large, Marcus Lovett, Kevin Marcum, John Norman, Alex Santoriello, Marcie Shaw, and Steve Shocket. Rounding out the company were Patrick A’Hearn, Diane Della Piazza, and Jordan Leeds as swings.
Les Misérables featured production design by John Napier, costume design by Andreane Neofitou, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Andrew Bruce and Autograph. Visit the Playbill Vault for the complete cast and creative team.
The musical returned to Broadway in 2006 and then 2016. A film adaptation was released in 2012, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, and Eddie Redmayne.
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