Les Mis�rables: principle cast announced

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has announced the principal cast for his new production of Boublil and Schonberg�s musical, Les Mis�rables, which opens on Broadway on 9 Nov 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre, for a special limited six-month engagement. Previews begin on 22 Oct 2006.

The cast will feature Alexander Gemignani (Jean Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Gary Beach (Thenardier), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Fantine), Jenny Galloway (Madame Thenardier), Aaron Lazar (Enjolras), Adam Jacobs (Marius), Lea Michele (Eponine) and Ali Ewoldt (Cosette).

Four of the principals � Alexander Gemignani, Norm Lewis, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Aaron Lazar � will be performing in Les Mis�rables for the first time; five have performed in the musical previously � Gary Beach in the original Los Angeles production, Jenny Galloway in the West End production, Adam Jacobs and Ali Ewoldt in the show�s national tour and Lea Michele on Broadway.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said of the casting �I am delighted that we have found nine exceptional and diverse performers � a wonderful combination of seasoned pros and exciting young talent -- to help bring a fresh perspective and vitality to this new production of Les Mis�rables at the elegant and intimate Broadhurst,�

Les Mis�rables is about love and bravery in 19th century France during the revolutionary struggles. 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.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Mis�rables is a musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Sch�nberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It features music by Claude-Michel Sch�nberg, 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 Elise Napier and sound by Andrew Bruce and John Weston.

Les Mis�rables 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. The production transferred to the Queen�s Theatre in April, 2004, where it continues today.

The musical is the third longest-running show in Broadway history and will, on 9 Oct 2006, 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 Mis�rables 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.